deutsche bank

Pin-Jia Wong
Graduate Analyst, Corporate Bank, Singapore
Pin Jia graduated with a Bachelor of Business from Nanyang Technological University in 2021

The search

I was looking to join a company with a great culture, along with a strong APAC and global presence. That’s why Deutsche Bank stood out to me. I am currently a Graduate Analyst in the Graduate Programme, working within the Corporate Bank division in Singapore.

The role

As a Graduate Analyst, I first went through an orientation period where there was lots of training designed to familiarise me with the various business functions. I continue to attend technical trainings and networking sessions to equip myself with the right knowledge and network to succeed in my projects. I also have access to mentors who can answer the many questions I have, whether it’s to do with my work or the industry, drawing on their many years of experience.

The work

My team advises clients on the best treasury practices globally. One of my recent tasks involved putting together a deck to guide our Asian clients on doing business in other parts of the world, where regulatory and financial systems are set up very differently from the Asian landscape. It was a stretch project for me because the regions that I needed to look into are foreign to me as well. However, that gave me the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from these regions, who were very helpful in providing me with the necessary information.

The culture

I really like the flat hierarchical structure at Deutsche Bank. The senior managers and directors are very approachable, which makes interacting with them a lot less stressful and more meaningful.

The future

I aim to grow and become someone who can contribute to the pipeline of the bank by bringing in new clients and projects.

Advice for graduates

Be open to learning and taking on new challenges.

deutsche bank

Joli Chan
Graduate Analyst, Corporate Bank, Hong Kong
Joli graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Hong Kong in 2021

First steps

My career with Deutsche Bank began with the Summer Internship in 2020. I was drawn to the bank’s strong international presence as well as its culture and values, which aligned with my own. The internship was a great experience so when that was done, I didn’t have to think twice about accepting the bank’s offer to join the Graduate Programme.

360º learning

As a Graduate Analyst, I’m learning about the various aspects of our business through a rotational programme that takes me to different teams, covering anything from trade finance to institutional cash management. I also get to work on interesting and complex projects, such as researching and assessing potential opportunities for our business in the Greater Bay Area.

Personal growth

Throughout my internship and at the start of the Graduate Programme, I received extensive training that equipped me with basic but essential financial knowledge to help me better understand the breadth and depth of our business. For someone who came into the job from a non-business background, these trainings, as well as various mentorship programmes, played a big part in my transition from being a student to a professional.

Authentic connections

Among everything, I value the relationships that I have built at Deutsche Bank the most. Over the course of various rotations, I’ve established close bonds with my many teammates and managers. People here are just really nice and friendly.

There’s also a flat hierarchical culture, which allows us to freely voice our opinions and give suggestions on how to improve the way we work. There aren’t any silos either. Colleagues from different teams and divisions are always happy to collaborate on the work front, and to invest their time in building relationships over lunch or coffee.

Some advice

Go for an internship or graduate programme that is comprehensive, structured, and designed to give you global exposure, from people to projects.

deutsche bank

Tricia Goh
Graduate Analyst, International Private Bank, Singapore
Tricia graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy and Master of Science in Quantitative Finance from Singapore Management University in 2021

Off to a great start

I was on the lookout for a penultimate-year internship in the Wealth sector when Deutsche Bank organised an event day for interested applicants. After speaking to the Graduate Analysts who were present, I was very impressed by their professionalism and knowledge. Their experiences as Analysts lined up with my interests and what I had hoped to get from joining the industry. So I submitted my application and two rounds of interviews later, I was in.

Not your usual internship

My internship took place in July 2020. Due to the COVID-19 situation, it was shortened from 10 to four weeks. While I did not get to experience the standard internship, the condensed version was still eye-opening and exciting in its own way, and it did not leave me wondering if I had missed out on anything. In fact, in the span of four weeks, I completed three extensive projects that required me to connect with multiple people across various roles in wealth management, in order to understand the business processes involved. I also had the opportunity to present my work to senior management and gained valuable feedback. Along the way, I was guided by a buddy, manager, and mentor, who were very generous with their time in answering my questions and providing insights into the wealth industry.

Never on your own

People at Deutsche Bank genuinely want to see you succeed. During my internship, the graduate analysts took it upon themselves to organise talks for interns with experts from various wealth functions. The senior management team also connected with interns individually to get to know us better. When I eventually joined the bank full-time as an analyst, the first thing my managers wanted me to know was that I could always go to them for support.

Then and now

I used to be somewhat of an introvert and would rarely go out of my way to get to know someone. I now know the importance of networking and connecting with people, and how it can help me along in my career.

To future interns and graduates...

Here are some key takeaways I have got from my experience so far:

Be genuinely curious: If you are not interested in your industry, naturally, the learning opportunities will not be as far-reaching as they can be.

Be upfront with what you don’t know: Instead of looking incompetent, it shows an awareness of your areas of improvement and a willingness to learn.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: Even if you give your best shot, you may not always get things right at work—and that’s okay. Communicate openly with your manager, explain your efforts, and clarify your doubts, then find ways to complete your task successfully.