i have no idea what to blog anymore.

there are certain things that i wish to write here.. but later on realised that there are too many people reading this blog,causing a bit of discomfort in writing down..

or maybe i should just write down what i feel..

i am confused.

i no longer know what i want to be. or rather,i have never had any idea what i want to be.

i used to think i could be a teacher,until one day someone just told me that i had difficulties teaching,expressing what i know.. and i am aware of that too.. i realise that i dont understand what the child (my poor tuition kid) doesnt understand to be able to help him understand the question and solve the problem..

perhaps i was more fortunate than most children (or perhaps unfortunate coz i didnt went through what they went through),i had the most wonderful teacher in my primary school (so i have a better foundation than most) and she makes a difference in my life.. but i have little memory of her now.. just remember she is very thin.. coz of the picture we took together when i was in primary 2.. and she knows i like chicken rice,so she uses that to motivate me.. haha.. that is the little memory i had of her.. :(

other than that,i also wanted to be a model,DJ,actress,singer or something that leads me to stardom.. until i realised i dont really have the courage to be up there standing on stage alone to perform.. i had never perform alone before.. at least not yet.. though i had been a host (a lousy one in my JC), been in the choir and those performances on stage.. haha..

i also had this thought of working for agencies.. like job agencies.. then i would be able to meet with so many different clients as well as job seekers.. that will be fun rite? but diana who had worked in one of those agencies told me that it wasnt as fun as it seems.. the workload was heavy and the pay was minimal.. that makes me have second thoughts about it..

then air stewardess become one of my recent dream.. maybe the thought of being able to spend a few days overseas and working on a plane thrills me.. but i guess this is another mission impossible since i dont meet the specific requirements..

sometimes i wonder what the hell i want to be..

taking a UOL degree in banking and finance..

do i wanna be a banker who just sits in the bank everyday counting money? (my initial naive thought.. i still think it this way..;P) then i received this from my aunt who work in the bank as well.. and found out more about the different jobs and their jobscopes of a bank..

just to share with you guys who are also in the banking and finance course.. or are interested to be a future banker..

Banking on banking

As a banking and financial hub, there are lots of choices in Singapore for those who want to make a successful career in the industry. But as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Leong Jew Lee, senior branch manager at global staffing services firm Kelly Services Singapore which places around 1,200 employees in banking positions every month, talks to BT (business times) about what it's like in banking, and highlights some of the entry-level positions available to fresh grads.

THE BANKING LIFE

What's it like to be in the banking industry? Well, Ms Leong says that while most people think it's a glamorous industry, it is also a very fast-paced one.

'The hours tend to be long, and it's a very competitive market,' she says. 'Because of business needs, banking is becoming more and more round-the-clock, especially when dealing with overseas markets, so you must be open to odd working hours.'

She adds that some people might find it stressful, as it is a complex and challenging industry with lots of regulations and rules that you have to comply with. However, if you're up to 'continuously acquiring new knowledge', it can be quite fulfilling.

WHAT TO STUDY?

If you're thinking of going into banking, it's best to pick a related discipline, such as economics, finance or accounting, Ms Leong suggests. That's not to say that it's essential to have a degree in one of these areas, but it does open up a lot more job positions to fresh graduates looking to move into this sector.

CHARACTERISTICS

There are many different aspects to banking, and the personality and character of a person should fit the job. Those involved in dealing directly with bank customers need a pleasant personality, as well as good communication skills. Those dealing with data and number-crunching need to be more meticulous. And, of course, integrity is a must when working in a bank.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE SHOE FITS?

If you're not sure this is an industry for you, Ms Leong says that it's a good idea to take up a temporary job or apply for an internship at a bank while you're still studying, or if you've just graduated. Don't be bothered by the pay or working hours if you do: the idea is to get a feel for the industry. This is also a good way to increase your marketability, if you are planning to move into the banking sector after graduation.

SO SHOW ME THE MONEY

Here are some jobs that Ms Leong says are usually open to fresh graduates, along with a description of the usual minimum requirements, job scope, and starting pay:

Personal financial consultant/Wealth consultant/Investment officer

Description: This involves dealing with customers and advising them on their financial needs.

Minimum requirements: Bachelor's degree, preferably in a commercial discipline such as finance, economics or accounting. Those doing financial sales must be certified, but training will usually be provided after you've been accepted for the position. You will also need very good customer interface/communication skills.

Salary range: $2,200-$2,700

Tip: Those who do well in this position can move on to become a private banker, or go into institutional sales.

Telemarketer

Description: This usually involves outbound selling - calling people up to sell bank services such as credit cards and credit lines. Or it could involve inbound services, which would require interacting with customers who call the bank. Another possible - and growing - area is credit control or debt management, which involves calling bank customers to remind them to pay their bills.

Minimum requirements: Graduates in a commercial field of study are usually preferred, although having a degree is not essential. Must be able to speak well, and preferably in more than one language besides English. You may also have to work rotated hours to service other time zones, so some flexibility in timing may also be required.

Salary range: $1,800-$2,400, with certain positions offering incentivised (otherwise known as commission-based) components, especially those that deal with selling of services.

Tip: Ms Leong says this is a good place to start if you want to get a better understanding of a bank's service, especially retail, offerings.

Analysts

Description: Fresh graduates who are hired as analysts tend to be fairly junior, and will be required to basically crunch numbers and do research on financial models or ratios, among other tasks.

Minimum requirements: A degree in banking, finance, accountancy or economics is usually required, although those with math backgrounds will also be considered. You have to be good with numbers, and knowing how to run computer financial models is always a plus.

Salary range: $2,000-$2,400

Processing officer

Description: Processing officers do the back-end processing for different bank services such as fund transfers and telegraphic transfers. It may involve a certain amount of data processing, and usually involves very little customer interaction.

Minimum requirements: Most times, a general degree is sufficient, although being meticulous and accurate is a must.

Salary range: $2,000-$2,400

Branch/Customer service officer

Description: This basically involves managing and dealing with customers who walk into the branch, and helping them meet their needs or answer queries.

Minimum requirements: Degree holders are preferred, although not essential. But you do need to have a good customer service attitude and be able to interact well with customers.

Salary range: $1,800-$2,000

Trade services

Description: This is part of corporate banking, and is often related to corporate transactions. It tends to be highly administrative, and new employees usually learn on the job.

Minimum requirements: Usually a general degree is sufficient, although being meticulous and accurate is a must.

Salary range: $2,000-$2,400

Tip: Ms Leong says that this is another good job to think of if you want to learn the ins and outs of the banking sector.

Management trainee

Description: Banking is a complex industry, and highly regulated, so the top students often join as management trainees. They are then usually given exposure to groom them for higher, mostly managerial, positions.

Minimum requirement: A degree (usually from a top-notch university) in a banking-related field, with good grades and excellent recommendations.

Salary range: $2,400-$3,000

Tip: This is usually for the creme de la creme of those who join the banking sector, although some banks hire fresh graduates exclusively through management trainee programmes.

so many different kinds of jobs in a banking sector.. what should i do?

and in addition,there is also the insurance line which my uncle are working under.. great eastern.. perhaps i will be studying the courses which they have to study as well..

going into insurance line?

i have no idea.

what do i want in the future? after completing my degree what should i work as?

i was thinking of taking up a part time job in a bank before i get my results first.. but will that considered to be my internship? is it appropriate? will i get to learn as much as i should have learnt if that were to be my permanent job? will i get to face what i will be facing in the future if i do ever work in the banking sector? will i enjoy my work as much as i thought i would have?

i have absolutely no idea.

uncertainties.

haiz~ i hate it.