What do language and mastery of economics have in common? On the surface, they may appear disparate, but in today's multifaceted job landscape, proficiency across domains is often a necessity. One realm where expertise in seemingly unrelated fields can yield substantial advantages is the business arena. This is particularly evident when one of those fields encompasses language – a key that frequently unlocks diverse cultures.
Admittedly, encountering an individual who pursued a Bachelor's degree in Literature, specialising in Italian Linguistics and Literature, and subsequently embarked on a Master of Science in Financial Economics (MSFE) at SMU might raise initial eyebrows. Yet, Liu Qinglin has deliberately charted this course. He clarifies that his aspiration has always been to serve as a bridge between the Chinese and Italian business communities, either as a translator or an intermediary. Qinglin realised that fluency in a foreign language wasn't sufficient to achieve his ambitions. He recognised the need to fuse practical business knowledge and skills with his linguistic aptitude.
Selecting SMU as his academic institution was an uncomplicated decision for Qinglin. Prior to enrolment, he consulted several finance and insurance professionals within his family circle. Their unanimous recommendation underscored SMU's reputation. "They praised the dynamic teaching methods, the esteemed faculty, and the diverse student cohort hailing from across the globe," he remarks. He adds, "Glancing at the map and realising that premier investment banks and financial institutions were just a brief ten-minute walk from the campus genuinely impressed me."
To this day, Qinglin has no regrets regarding his decision. He's particularly effusive about SMU's professors, lauding their patience and the university's comprehensive efforts to prepare students for success. Courses are firmly anchored in real-world contexts, discussing current events to help students contextualise their learning. Qinglin notes, "The Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre frequently hosts seminars featuring seasoned practitioners from esteemed banks, insurance firms, and accounting corporations. Each programme is accompanied by dedicated career coaches." He points out that the centre also offers one-on-one counselling sessions to aid students in formulating future plans and interview readiness.
Among the modules Qinglin has encountered during his MSFE journey, Principles of Economics, taught by Assistant Professor of Economics (Education) Giovanni Ko, stands out. He recounts a session where Prof Ko introduced the concept of Transaction Cost: the temporal and resource-based expenditure required for two parties to converge, negotiate, and reach accord. Although seemingly straightforward, Qinglin swiftly comprehended how this concept, when applied to his life, fostered growth as a negotiator and a more empathetic individual. He playfully remarks, "At SMU, one can even glean insights into sociology whilst attending economics classes!"
Given his undergraduate focus on literature, Qinglin acknowledges that grappling with mathematics within the MSFE programme has posed challenges. Nonetheless, the patient guidance of professors such as Senior Lecturer of Economics Huynh Bao Tan has enabled him to acquire strategies for overcoming these hurdles. Qinglin attributes his competitive edge to SMU's enriching learning environment. The interactive pedagogy encourages students to actively participate and query, fostering engagement beyond passive absorption of content.
Further, SMU's student body encompasses numerous professionals returning for their Master's amid their careers. This milieu compels Qinglin to perceive matters from a future professional's perspective, transcending the role of a mere student memorising information to earn grades.
For those contemplating embarking on the SMU journey, Qinglin imparts these words of wisdom: "Don't hesitate to seek clarifications from professors or career coaches. Such inquiries can unveil latent opportunities for personal advancement. SMU teems with kindred young talents, so maximise networking efforts; you'll be gratified with the results."
