A Taste of Corporate Life in London

 

Joan (right) and a friend in Pearson College

 

* Name: Joan Low Su - May

* UWC attended/graduation year: Pearson College ‘08

* Current university/major (if at uni):


Organizational details

 

* Name of organization/program:

 Standard Chartered Culture Exchange Work Experience Programme

 

* Location of stint:

London, England

 

* Dates and duration of stint:

9th July 2007 – 3rd August 2007

* Briefly, please tell us about its aims/objectives:

To give an insight into what banking entails and to provide hands on experience.

 

* Why did you apply to do this?

To gain experience and to try out what the corporate/finance world is really like.

It was also to help me decide whether or not I would like to pursue this field of work as a future career.

 

* Please tell us about the nature of work you did, or activities that you participated in:

I shadowed the Head of department (Group Tax in my case), executed and completed the work/assignments/research I was entrusted with.

The work varies with every department. In my case, it was the back desk work. (ie: behind the scenes of the bank / office orientated / technical)


* Upsides/downsides?

Upside:

  • Gives you a true insight on the mechanisms of banking.
  • Gives you a real opportunity to meet people and seek advice from them.
  • Gives you a chance to gain hands on experience in banking.
  • Gives you a different perspective (insider’s perspective) as to what the corporate world is really like. It is not as cruel as many make it out to be.
  • Gives you a different standpoint on how to promote / execute / advocate Sustainability.
  • You get to meet other interns from around the UK and also around the world.
  • You get to see how international this bank is and work with the team.

 

Downside:

  • You don’t have a choice on which departments you get assigned to.
  • You only get to work in one department throughout the entire stint. However, you can visit other departments if you take the initiative to organise it yourself. (like what we did this year)

 

 

* Why do you think UWC students/graduates might enjoy this?

It depends on every individual. However, I enjoyed this opportunity because it really opened my eyes to many things and I learned a great deal from this experience. Anyone who is up for trying out something new and learning at the same time should apply for this.

There are many social activities organised by the HR for all the interns and it’s a good balance between work, play and learning.

 

 * Tell us about the people you worked with and met during your stint.

Fantastic and brilliant people! Not only did we meet interns from all over the world who are in universities (mainly UK) but we also got to meet many post-graduates who are doing their masters/ MBA/ PhD on the internship programme.

We got to meet the CEO and the Chairman of the bank and had drinks with them.

The team I worked with were also very patient, friendly and easy to get along with. My supervisor (no. 2 in the dept) was very caring and made sure I fitted / adapted in well.

Contact information

 

* How did you apply to this program?

(if the project requires funding please elaborate on any financial aid received)

This program is only for Pearson College students. There are 4 places allotted to Pearson College every year and we have to apply (essays, etc) and if short-listed, attend a phone interview.

We are given an allowance of 1,600 pounds sterling. Flights and accommodation are deducted from the allowance.


* Contact details of the organization/program?

www.standardchartered.com

 

If you are agreeable to being contacted about your experience with this organization, please include your contact details:

 

Email: jlsmay88@gmail.com

 

Tel:       [Malaysia] 603-7725 3202

            [Canada]*  +1 250-391 2446

*I am in Calgary House. Ask for Joan.

 

Facebook under name of Joan Low

 

Add: [Malaysia] 23, Jln SS 20/16

                           Damansara Utama,

                           47400, PJ