Receiving the SIM WILL Award celebrates this journey and highlights how stepping out of your comfort zone drives real growth. Chen Lin will be starting her new role as an Equity Capital Markets Analyst Intern at UOB Kay Hian in October 2025.
Internship Journey
Q: Where did you intern and what motivated you to apply?
A: I was driven by a strong hunger to succeed and a desire to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real-world situations. As a Year 2 Finance and Economics student at SIM-RMIT, I wanted hands-on experience in the finance industry. The Strategic Partnership role at UOB Kay Hian offered a unique opportunity to work alongside professionals and manage B2B relationships.
I took the initiative to reach out to analysts and associates on LinkedIn to learn about their roles and the projects they were involved in. This provided me with deeper insights and helped me tailor my application and answers during the interview. I believed that demonstrating my genuine interest and having a proactive mindset played a key role in securing my internship.
Q: What was your role like during your internship?
A: During my internship, I supported deal origination and execution for structured products and fixed-income instruments, contributing to over USD 20 million in trade volume. I also created Bloomberg-based bond summaries, market updates, and weekly portfolio reports. My role involved managing B2B relationships with external asset managers, family offices, as well as conducting checks and risk due diligence for new clients to ensure compliance with Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulations.
Q: What was the most memorable moment for you?
A: The most meaningful moment was attending UOBKH’s symposium during my first day, where I had the chance to network with professionals from top finance firms. I was also fortunate to have a strong mentor and a supportive team who invested in my learning. One highlight was being invited to sit in on the team’s start-of-year goal-setting session with the Executive Director. Even though I wouldn't be part of the team moving forward, it taught me to value every opportunity to observe how leaders plan and align their strategies, which was a rare and insightful experience for me.
Learning and Growth on the Job
Q: How did your SIM coursework help you prepare for this experience?
A: Corporate Finance provided a foundation in key financial concepts that helped me understand the products and strategies used during my internship. RMIT’s curriculum is also application-based, which made it easier to transfer what I learned in class to real-world scenarios. This practical approach trained me to think critically and adapt quickly to new environments.
Q: What challenges did you face during your internship?
A: One of the biggest challenges was the steep learning curve. I had to quickly grasp complex financial products and processes while maintaining both speed and accuracy. I remember staying back after work to review materials and reinforce what I had learned that day. I made it a point to ask questions, take detailed notes, and stay proactive. This extra effort helped me adapt quickly and perform with precision under time pressure.
Q: How did your internship help you grow in the areas of Head, Heart, and Hands?
A: Head (knowledge and thinking skills): My internship deepened my understanding of structured products and fixed-income instruments. I also developed hands-on skills using the Bloomberg Terminal, which improved my ability to analyse market data and generate investment insights.
Heart (values, attitudes, and self-awareness): The internship taught me the value of showing up with purpose, even for the most minor tasks. Being surrounded by driven professionals made me more mindful of the effort and intention behind every action.
Hands (practical, applied skills): I had to process trades, generate reports, and manage Bloomberg data quickly without making mistakes. I became more methodical, building reliable habits under real deadlines.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of?
A: What I’m most proud of is how the team started seeing me as someone they could count on. I wasn’t just "the intern" by the end. I was part of the rhythm and part of the conversations. It made the long days and steep learning curve worth it.
Recognition and Advice
Q: What does receiving the SIM WILL Award mean to you personally?
A: Receiving the SIM WILL Award is a reminder that learning happens when I step outside my comfort zone, stay curious, and commit to growth. It affirms to me that showing initiative and integrity can make a real impact.
Q: How has this experience shaped your career aspirations?
A: Initially, I thought I would go into financial analysis or macroeconomic research. But with AI now handling much of quantitative analysis, I wondered where I could uniquely contribute. My internship helped me realise that human insight, relationship-building, and strategy are still irreplaceable in finance. Now, I see myself pursuing a career at the intersection of macro research, client engagement, and strategic investment solutions, whether through institutional sales, investment advisory, or strategy roles. That’s where I believe I can add value.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are unsure about taking up an internship?
A: My advice is to be genuine in your interest and stay hungry to learn and grow. Internships are valuable not only for gaining experience, but also for discovering what truly excites you. Put in the effort, take initiative, and don’t be afraid to ask thoughtful questions. Even if you’re unsure, say yes to opportunities. You will gain clarity through action, not hesitation.
About the SIM Work-Integrated Learning for Life (WILL) Award
The SIM Work-Integrated Learning for Life Award aims to provide real-world learning experiences where SIM students can develop holistically, and deepen their cognitive (Head), affective (Heart), and psychomotor (Hands) capacities for good work. It does this through offering a variety of high-quality opportunities for work-integrated learning.