Employee Stories
Nisha Subramaniam
My career journey after joining as an intern in Singapore
Nisha joined us as an intern and has since progressed her career on our graduate programme in Singapore.
Where did you study?
I pursued a double degree in Business Administration and Economics at the National University of Singapore.
Did you always know what you wanted to do when you had finished studying?
I always had a keen interest in the banking, fintech and startup space as I was part of my school’s fintech, entrepreneurship and investment clubs. Therefore, I had wanted to join a related space when I finished studying.
Why did you choose to intern at Standard Chartered?
I had previously done an internship as well as my school’s final year project with one of SC Venture’s portfolio companies. This sparked my interest in exploring the innovation arm of Standard Chartered and its reach into venture building. I had also heard good testimonies from my seniors who highlighted the opportunities of Standard Chartered’s structured internship programme, global exposure, valuable professional network, mentorship, and guidance. Standard Chartered also has a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion as well as their brand promise “here for good” which resonated greatly with me.
Can you tell us a bit about the internship?
The internship is a structured 10-week programme where you can gain first-hand experience on real projects, benefit from on-the-job training and attain networking opportunities within the Bank. We also had to embark on an individual project with research, analysis, and recommendations, allowing us to hone our skills and work with relevant stakeholders to address pain points.
What advice would you give to someone trying to land an internship at Standard Chartered?
Network and have coffee chats with relevant members of the Bank, whether they are your seniors or potential employers. This allows you to get a first-hand understanding of their experiences and answer any questions you have. Additionally, ensure that your resume reflects your skills and values that are relevant to the team or business function you want to work with by doing your due diligence and research Standard Chartered’s company values and vision.
How has your career progressed since you interned with the Bank?
After I completed my internship programme, I was given a graduate return offer. This allowed me to return to the Bank to further expand my hands-on learning, hone my skills and explore further business functions.
Can you tell us about the learning and development you’ve received?
The Bank supports hands-on learning through real-world projects and practical experience. Beyond core banking operations, I managed to learn soft and hard skills including client partnership skills to technical skills such as financial modelling and customer relationship management (CRM). I also received valuable mentorship and guidance through regular constructive feedback which accelerated my learning curve. Exposure to real projects and responsibilities allowed me to take ownership and accountability for tasks, allowing me to grow my professional skills. I was also invited to multiple networking sessions and events that allowed me to connect with members in various roles of the bank, expanding my knowledge and network. Multiple internal workshops and training sessions covering topics such as financial markets and risk management were also useful in expanding my learning and development. The support system of having a people leader and a buddy was also helpful in shaping my experience and clarifying questions in doubt.
Is working in banking what you expected it to be?
The well-defined and structured set of procedures and regulations were what I expected to be present in the banking sector. An eye opener for me was the unexpected pace of innovation in banking. The level of technological innovation driving the banking space proved significant that my initial expectations. Driven by my experience in SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered, I learnt how innovation is rapidly transforming the banking sector with expansion into digital banking, AI, Machine Learning, open banking and more. The proactive adoption of new processes and technologies to meet changing customer needs and continuously find innovative solutions to improve client experience has been more engaging than I initially imagined.
What’s the best thing about working for Standard Chartered?
The diverse and inclusive culture driven by the Bank’s valued behaviours, “Do the right thing”, “Better together” and “Never settle”. This creates a rich, positive, and collaborative work environment which resonates strongly with me.
Could you use three words to describe life at Standard Chartered?
Collaborative, inclusive, purposeful.
What sort of person would succeed in your team?
A proactive problem-solver, collaborative, adaptable learner, and a person with a growth mindset would integrate well and contribute effectively to the team.