1. Could you briefly describe your background as well as your current role at AMP?
I was initially born in the
2. What is a typical working day like for you at AMP?
Arrive at my desk around 7 (earlier than most), read the overnight market news, have a morning meeting where we decide what trades we are going to put on that day.
3. What ongoing training, development and opportunities for growth does AMP offer for their graduates? Did you rotate during your time as a grad? How was the experience?
AMP offers a lot of opportunity for development. Study assistance is provided for anyone who wants to further their knowledge in a way that will contribute to their career at the company. I have just finished my first rotation and I believe that the concept of rotating amongst teams is incredibly beneficial, particularly due to the fact that I had very limited prior experience in the industry and didn’t want to be immediately forced into a single specific area of the company but rather, wanted to acquire skills and experience in a range of areas so that I would have a better idea of where I would like to end up.
4. How would you describe your team? What are they like?
My current team works very well together and have a very collaborative nature. Everyone has different areas of expertise, all of which contribute to the goal of managing high-performing portfolios. There is also a very strong social culture among the team, which I believe strongly contributes to their success.
5. What aspects do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy learning about financial markets and seeing the way different securities trade in the real world. I also enjoy being challenged and applying some of the knowledge from my tertiary education to actual portfolios.
6. What are the most challenging aspects about your job?
The areas that I find the most challenging revolve around balancing day to day tasks with individual learning and development. You want to put yourself in a position where you are both contributing to the team that you are in whilst also developing your own skill sets and adding value to yourself as an individual.
7. What advice do you have for university students who are interested in securing a similar role as a graduate?
The most general points of advice that I would pass on would firstly be to understand exactly what it is that your team does and how they contribute to the overall company, that is, try to understand how your team directly or indirectly generates revenue or assists other teams in generating revenue. Secondly, I would advise all potential grads to take control of their own careers, that is, try to figure out what it is that they like and push for opportunities. Finally, and particularly for capital grads, make a constant effort to develop skills in IT and spreadsheet design as these are two of the primary tools in building a successful career in finance/funds management.
8. What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of work? Have you done anything exciting recently?
I enjoy sport, music, socialising with friends etc. In addition, I have a passion for travel and love immersing myself in new cultures.
9. What would be your ideal way to spend a holiday?
I love getting out of the country and visiting places that I haven’t seen before.
10. Your most valuable lesson learnt so far?
You always have to take the initiative and push for opportunities…. You should never worry about pushing too hard because if you are then not to worry, somebody will push back. You can’t just sit back and expect things to come to you or form the belief that time and patience are the only key ingredients in forming an amazing career.
11. Do you have any final words of advice for our readers?
Work hard. Enjoy it!!
