Employee Stories

Caleb Cheong

Caleb’s journey: intern to graduate 

Caleb Cheong joined us as an intern in Singapore, and since converting to the graduate programme has had the opportunity to travel to Germany to work on a project in Europe.

Where did you study, and what subject did you study?

I graduated from the Singapore Management University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Second Major in Data Analytics in Accounting.

Did you always know what you wanted to do when you had finished studying?

I always knew that I wanted a role that had a client-facing angle and specialisation in certain products, and I was exploring all functions of banking during my studying years. During my internship with Standard Chartered, I explored Transaction Banking more deeply, which was a subject that was barely touched upon in school. However, this role seemed the right fit for what I was looking for.

What drew you to apply to Standard Chartered? What made the graduate programme stand out to you?

The level of exposure of the graduate programme stood out to me as we were given opportunities to network across our vast footprint – with seniors and peers from various markets and functions. Especially during our Graduate Development Event, where all global graduates come together, which was really the highlight of our programme as we got the chance to connect with graduates around the world. It was an invaluable experience and I truly believe goes a long way in supporting us on our journey with the Bank.

How has your career progressed since you joined us? Can you tell us about the learning and development you’ve received?

Post graduating from the programme, I was given the chance to go on a short-term assignment to the Transaction Banking Corporate Sales team based in Frankfurt, Germany for two-and-a-half months. This was a great opportunity for me to deepen my understanding and connections with our clients headquartered in Europe while forging stronger working relationships with the EU team. Our German team really ensured that the development goals were clear before I began and consistently took stock of my learning journey – which exemplified the intentional effort to develop people in the Bank.

Tell us about a project you’ve worked on that has made you proud?

I am currently involved in a Reverse Mentoring project – which matches Managing Directors with graduates to share our views from a Gen Z perspective. It has been a really interesting programme so far, as we set aside some of our presumptions of knowing less than people who had more experience than us and focus on how we could actually share fresh ideas and perspectives.

How would you describe the culture at the Bank?

The Bank has indeed been a conducive space to grow and learn, with people at the centre of this and making it happen. The colleagues I’ve met and worked with are always keen to support and help me in my growth, and this rubs off on juniors like me too, to emulate the same “pass it on” culture to others.

Is working in banking what you expected it to be?

Yes to a certain extent, that I expected it to be fast-paced, ever-changing with the need to be always on your feet. But honestly, I did not expect my colleagues and supervisors (both direct and indirect) to go the extra mile to support me in my development as well. This is something I truly appreciate about Standard Chartered.

What’s the best thing about working for Standard Chartered?

I think it relates to the points above, that the people have been the key highlight for me in Standard Chartered. Regardless of seniority, I have always felt supported and that I have a part to play in my team and the wider network.

Could you use three words to describe life at Standard Chartered? 

Growth, dynamic and nurturing.

What advice/hints and tips would you give to someone looking to work at Standard Chartered? 

I would encourage them to put aside all presumptions of being a junior and always ask themselves “What can be done differently/better” and to never be afraid to ask for help while passing it on by helping others.

What sort of person would succeed in your team?  

A team player, who takes responsibility for their work and exemplifies proactiveness.