Financial stability is a crucial aspiration, both at a personal level and for society. Guiding the financial landscape on such a scale requires precision and vision. GIC, a globally recognised sovereign wealth fund, has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing Singapore’s financial reserves since its establishment in 1981. With a commitmentto preserve and enhance the international purchasing power of Singapore’s foreign reserves, GIC plays a vital role in securing Singapore’s economic stability and prosperity.

Across GIC’s various departments are forward-thinking, enterprising, and driven individuals dedicated to shaping the nation’s asset management industry and safeguardingour financial future. Among these exceptional individuals are GIC Scholars Chua Teck Yan and Ang Yu Xin, who are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this esteemed mission.

Teck Yan is an Investment Analyst in the Fixed Income & Multi Asset department, while Yu Xin is an Assistant Vice President in the Real Estate department. Their roles offer unique insight into GIC’s diverse investment strategies and allow them to actively contribute to the organisation’s mission.

We had the privilege of speaking with Teck Yan and Yu Xin to gain a deeper understanding of their thriving careers at GIC. Their experiences shed light on the impact they are making within this globally renowned institution.

What sparked your interest in a career in finance, and why did you choose GIC specifically?

Teck Yan: I wanted to work in a fast-paced industry that is constantly evolving. My older siblings also worked in finance, and I found their job scope to be exciting.

I realised that I wanted a career in investing, and I was hoping to receive the GIC Scholarship as it offered a career in investment management, across a broad range of assets and geographies. GIC also had a good reputation for its culture, and I was interested to be a part of it.

Yu Xin: Since economic events such as recessions, financial crises and major policy decisions have far-reaching effects on real lives, a career in finance fascinated me.

Choosing to take up a scholarship with GIC was a decision driven by several factors. The choice of scholarship is also a career choice. Firstly, GIC is a leading investment institution across multiple geographies and invests across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure. This offers good exposure for young professionals just starting their careers and accelerates learning. Secondly, GIC is long-term-focused, both in terms of patient capital, which allows investment professionals to make strategic investment decisions, and in terms of developing talent. This made GIC an enticing choice for me.

You both went on to have thriving academic careers. How did the support offered by GIC help in that respect?

Teck Yan: Apart from financial support and internship opportunities, I was provided with opportunities to hone my finance skills through summer school programmes. I was also introduced to a network of previous scholars studying in the United Kingdom and learnt from their experiences. To gain a better understanding of the various asset classes and identify my own interests and skillsets, I pursued two internship opportunities within GIC to find the best fit for my career goals. The support network from seniors was also strong, and I could tap into theirexperiences to brush up on areas that I knew would be useful for work.

Yu Xin: The internship and guidance provided by GIC through the scholarship were incredibly beneficial. During the internship, I had the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals and gain valuable insights in meetings and conversations. I was constantly challenged to grow both personally and professionally.

GIC places great emphasis on supporting learning and professional development for its employees. The organisation offers funding for additional courses and financial seminars. These opportunities provided me with exposure to emerging trends in the finance and investment domain and helped get me up to speed quickly at work.

Speaking of work, can you tell us more about your jobs with GIC?

Teck Yan: I work in the Fixed Income & Multi Asset department. Within Structured Products, I analyse historical mortgage spread movements, identify the drivers behind those movements, and assess how changes in macroeconomic regimes impact the movement of mortgage spreads.

Yu Xin: As a real estate investment professional, I am involved in both investment management and asset management. In investment management, my responsibilities involve identifying and analysing potential real estate opportunities, including conducting market research, financial modelling, and due diligence. We collaborate with various stakeholders to negotiate deals, structure partnerships, secure financing, and evaluate whether the deal would generate good risk-adjusted returns.

In asset management, we monitor the performance of existing assets that we own. For example, this could include making decisions on whether to allocate more capital expenditure to enhance a hotel to optimise room rates further. We also evaluate the forward returns of the property to determine whether it is a good time to divest the asset.

Your work certainly sounds interesting! What is working at GIC like?

Teck Yan: The expectations are high, as theyshould be in a high-performing firm, but it is an extremely nurturing environment with many senior analysts who are open to guiding you. GIC is one of the best places to start your career, especially as a junior analyst. The work culture, learning opportunities, and resources provided by GIC are unparalleled.

Yu Xin: GIC cultivates a collaborative environment, particularly in Real Estate where we work in small teams. As a junior employee, I feel a strong sense of empowerment and ownership in the deals I work on. Senior colleagues actively seek input and feedback from junior employees, fostering an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere where diversity of ideas is embraced.

As an employee of GIC, I am empowered to shape my own career path and explore diverse opportunities. GIC provides a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and professional development. In real estate, for example, I can express my interest in specific sectors or geographies to build expertise, which would be considered by our seniors when staffing deals.

What do you find most meaningful about your work?

Teck Yan: I find it extremely fulfilling that our work here in GIC contributes to the financial stability of Singapore and has a wider, national impact on the country.

Yu Xin: Working at GIC and contributing to returns gives us the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the long-term financial stability of Singapore.