Insightful sharing session with Hong Leong Bank Malaysia on graduate trainee programme

Group photo of guests and participants

UTAR welcomed representatives from Hong Leong Bank Malaysia to provide an engaging lecture session at its Sungai Long Campus on 29 August 2024. Organised by the Department of Economics in collaboration with the Global Economics Society, the lecture session aimed to provide students with valuable insights into careers in the banking industry and explore the opportunities within the Hong Leong Bank Graduate Trainee Programme (GTP).

The Hong Leong Bank team was led by the Cash Management Department Head, Ms Alina Grace Tan and the Cash Management Department Executive, Mr Bryan Chong. They were accompanied by Mr Robert and Ms Ellie from the Human Resource Department.

The session was attended by 50 Actuarial Science and Global Economics students

Offering an in-depth exploration of the Graduate Trainee Programme (GTP), Mr Bryan Chong began by sharing his personal journey as a former GTP trainee, revealing that his academic background was in music, a field seemingly unrelated to banking and finance. He encouraged students from diverse academic backgrounds to consider the programme, emphasising that the GTP allows trainees to explore various roles within the bank, including positions in the front, middle, and back offices. His message was clear, an open mind and a willingness to explore can lead to unexpected career opportunities.

Mr Bryan Chong sharing his experience as a former trainee of GTP

Ms Alina further elaborated on the GTP’s structure, discussing the job scope, learning opportunities, and duration of the programme. She detailed the different tracks available within the GTP, such as the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Banking GTP and the Business & Corporate Banking (BCB) GTP. Ms Alina encouraged students not to be afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones, stressing that the most important aspect of any career is a commitment to continuous learning. She also emphasised the importance of asking questions and remaining humble, noting that curiosity is key to problem-solving and personal growth.

Ms Alina sharing details about GTP

Given that many attendees were Year Three Actuarial Science students who are graduating soon and Year Two Global Economics students approaching their internship placements, the session included a valuable opportunity to interact with Mr Robert and Ms Ellie from the Human Resource team of Hong Leong Bank Malaysia. Students were encouraged to inquire about the GTP, explore career opportunities with Hong Leong Bank, and even submit their resumes directly for consideration on the spot.

The session concluded with a token of appreciation presented by Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Head of Department of Economics Mr Low Choon Wei to the guests from Hong Leong Bank Malaysia, followed by a group photo session.

Attendees interacting with the HR team from Hong Leong Bank for inquiries of career opportunities with HLB

From left: Mr Bryan, Ms Alina, Mr Low and Ms Ellie