As Graduation week draws to a close, we spoke with School of Economics and Finance Alumnus, Weicheng Hung who discussed his career journey since graduating from Queen Mary in 2016 and also focusses on his Masters in Banking for those graduating this year, who are considering Postgraduate study.
Weicheng Hung, Associate, Mizuho (Banking MSc, 2016)
What did you study at Queen Mary and what are you doing now? I graduated in 2016 with a MSc in Banking and I am now working as an Associate at Mizuho Bank (Global Subsidiaries Coverage) in their London office, Mizuho is the second largest financial group in Japan. I am relatively new to the institution, having joined 2 months ago. I am really enjoying the role as Mizuho is a well-established and high-profile bank and therefore there is the capacity to work on large-scale projects, with high-profile clients. The culture is dynamic and collaborative, which helps achieve the best results.
Why did you choose to study at Queen Mary and what advice would you have for 2018/19 graduates? Firstly, the location of Queen Mary’s Campus played a huge role in my decision as it is in very close proximity to both the City and Canary Wharf, which is clearly one of the world’s most important financial hubs and also makes it convenient to attend industry events and meet with professionals within the financial sector.
Before I started my studies at Queen Mary, I knew a number of people who also studied there and was able to reach out to alumni, who spoke highly of its reputation and were very positive about their own experiences and therefore confirmed my choice to study at Queen Mary.
So coming from the perspective of someone who studied a Postgraduate degree in the School of Economics and Finance (SEF), I would say to any undergraduate who is considering continuing their studies, that be prepared for hard work as the course is intense and the market is extremely competitive. In my experience, either a Postgraduate qualification or indeed work placements or internships are being sought after by employers more and more and therefore I feel my PG qualification has helped me in my career.
What sparked your interest in your current career in the Banking and Finance profession? I have been working within Corporate Banking for over two years since I graduated and it is the close relationship with all parties involved (so as to facilitate the deal smoothly), that appeals to me the most. Since the global banking crisis some years ago, I feel that the profession has become more about interacting with people and gaining trust through close relationships, which is what excites me the most in my role.
How did your time and study at Queen Mary help your career and development? I actually studied a Business Administration Bachelors degree back in Taiwan which gave me a broad understanding of the business environment. However I knew that I wanted to work within the banking profession and therefore a Postgraduate qualification that equipped me with the knowledge to enter the profession was essential, such as understanding the Capital Markets and Accounting and Investment Management theories.
The resources which are available to students at Queen Mary, such as the SEF jobs board also helped enormously.
The Banking qualification was also dual accredited by the CFA (Chartered Finance Analyst) Institute and therefore I was also able to pass CFA Level 1 & 2 exams during my studies.
What advice would you offer to our 2018/19 graduates who are in the very same position as you were 3 years ago? Formulate your own plan (for both studying and job hunting), set realistic goals and try your best to achieve it. Make sure you have all the information about the industry you wish to enter, as even over the past 3 years, Banking has changed massively. For example, knowledge of programming languages such as Python is becoming common and therefore it is essential that graduates are aware of these developments and keep themselves updated.
Why is exciting to do what you do? The opportunity to establish and maintain effective, cordial relationships with corporate clients and colleagues across the globe. A lot of my time is spent dealing with clients in Asia, as well as colleagues at Mizuho’s regional office in Singapore. No day is the same and therefore that is exciting; responding to the changing demands of clients makes my role very dynamic and interesting.
Do you have any role-models that you look up to, both inside and outside of your field? Rather than looking at individuals, it is about the personal traits and characteristics that particularly inspire me. Individuals with excellent credentials, who are willing to share their experiences and offer advice to help others, are the ones inspire me the most.
Be friendly, humble but never be complacent and confident that you cannot learn more – always be looking to develop yourself and offer to help and inspire others.