Joanna Teo
Master of IT in Business (Financial Technology & Analytics)
Class of 2024
I’m Joanna Teo, founder of Attribute Data, a data intelligence consultancy firm. At Attribute Data, I wear many hats, from leading client engagements to managing a team of data specialists and ensuring the delivery of innovative solutions powered by data analytics and machine learning. I graduated from the Master of IT in Business (MITB) Financial Technology & Analytics programme in 2024 and was also part of the pioneer batch of the SMU Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management programme.
The MITB Financial Technology and Analytics programme emphasizes on practical applications of data analytics, data science and artificial intelligence in the financial services sector, aligning perfectly with my entrepreneurial goals. The curriculum, combined with the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to tailor data-driven solutions for my clients. The programme also rekindled my passion in product management, allowing me to re-examine market challenges through a product lens and propose digital solutions to transform financial services while keeping an eye on longer-term product development possibilities.
The varied teaching styles employed by the professors and instructors made learning fun and engaging. An example, in one lesson, Mr Gerard Tong transformed a seminar room into a live stock exchange floor, where we learned about the operational processes of bid and ask orders and the pain points and risks that trading exchange systems must mitigate. Another instance was Dr Patrick Thng’s use of sequential real-world use cases, requiring us to apply our financial modeling skills and defend our stand in class.
When OpenAI released ChatGPT 3 as a mainstream product, Dr Corey Manders, who taught Data Science in Financial Services, was so open minded and progressive that he incorporated it into his lessons. He displayed ChatGPT’s responses on one screen alongside his presentation slides. His willingness to be publicly challenged and his swift adoption of new technology significantly enhanced our learning experience.
My favourite module was Data Science in Financial Services. It enabled us to optimize credit risk decisions using machine learning techniques to develop credit scores from non-traditional data such as spending transactions, location history and social connections, all while within privacy boundaries. We also explored time series analysis techniques to compare share prices and predict GDP impact, and even used Monte Carlo simulations to see if one could beat the dealer in a game of blackjack with basic strategy and card counting.
In SMU, there are various activities for students to advance their aspirations such as participating in industry-focused seminars, case competitions, SMU-X courses or being active in student clubs and societies. I reconnected to SMU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through the student venture fund, Protégé Ventures at SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This platform provided a hands-on introduction to venture capital, allowing me to participate in deal sourcing and evaluation. I also participated in private equity and venture capital case competitions and attended masterclasses in drafting smart contracts and minting NFTs.
The Office of Alumni Relations also offers robust programmes to cultivate stronger leaders in their fields. The Mentoring Circle series connects current students with alumni mentors in their areas of interest. I am currently serving on the Executive Committee of the newly formed Alumni Founders group. If you are a founder or aspiring to be one, I encourage you to join our SMU Alumni Founders LinkedIn group.
I believe that MITB graduates are poised to lead in the AI-driven future in roles like AI product managers and data scientists. The MITB programme has instilled critical thinking and problem-solving skills into its graduates. With adaptability and commitment to lifelong learning, I have high hopes that MITB graduates will make even groundbreaking discoveries and expand the tech talent pool for Singapore!
