Giving back to society is an integral part of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation’s (OCBC) corporate culture. The financial institution has always been lending its support to the Arts, local businesses and sports, such as the annual OCBC Cycle event.

On the education front, OCBC supports promising young people like Adrian Yeo, who is pursuing a degree in Business Administration in National University of Singapore (NUS). The OCBC Local Undergraduate Scholar shared with us his experiences since winning the coveted award, and the new horizons it has opened for him.

How did you get interested in finance?

I first became interested in finance when my parents taught me how to manage my own finances and shared with me their personal investing styles. Through these open conversations, it has ignited my interest in finance. This interest was further cemented when I had the privilege of joining GIC’s Industry Attachment program, where I partook in various projects. Through this, I was exposed to the way Singapore’s reserves were managed, and their importance in enhancing the purchasing power of the reserve.

This interest eventually led me to pursue a Business degree majoring in finance at NUS, where I hope to expose myself to a myriad of diverse courses and immerse myself in the dynamism and fluidity of the financial markets.

In your opinion, why should people pursue a scholarship?

People often view judge the merits of a scholarship based on their monetary value. However, there are other benefits that make having a scholarship valuable. For example, some scholarships offer mentorship programmes which allow you to gain insights and learn from their senior executives.

Personally, this scholarship has provided a platform for me to interact with like-minded scholars and network with the OCBC senior management. For that, I am really thankful.

What led to your decision to take up the OCBC scholarship after entering university?

After discovering the scholarship, I knew instantly that it was a perfect fit for me. I resonated strongly with OCBC’s vision and values, and OCBC’s core competencies aligned with my career aspirations. I am confident that the opportunities offered in this scholarship would allow me to grow as a person, both professionally and personally.

And, what was the defining factor that made you take on the OCBC Local Undergraduate Scholarship?

As an undergraduate perusing a finance degree, the OCBC Scholarship ticks all the boxes; it provided internship and job shadowing opportunities to learn from the best bankers. Additionally, the philosophy of paying-it-forward to the community resonated strongly with me and the unique opportunity to give back to the society through corporate social responsibility (CSR) events was one of the main reasons I decided to apply for the OCBC scholarship.

University is a very different learning environment from your previous experience. Did you pick up any unique skills, and in what way are they important?

The biggest takeaway after my two years in university was the importance of learner autonomy. In university, you have the freedom to choose your own timetable and plan your study schedule, but that also means that you have to be disciplined to stick to it.

Also, I think the organisational skills that are cultivated in University are highly transferrable to the working environment. For example, your superior might assign you different tasks with tight deadlines, so it is essential to have good project and time management.

The OCBC Scholarship is a bond-free scholarship. Other than financially, what opportunities does OCBC provide for its scholars?

The OCBC Scholarship provides valuable opportunities to help us develop our full potential. This includes opportunities to enrol in an internship programme or the Graduate Talent programme. Thereafter, employment might be offered based on merit and business needs.

What advice would you give to aspiring scholars?

In terms of acing that scholarship interview: Be genuine. The prospect of being interviewed by a panel of senior management can be intimidating, but just be yourself and show how you align with OCBC’s values and philosophy!