Meet our people: Arthur Chao
How six internships clarified his career path and purpose
During an internship with a hedge fund in Hong Kong, Arthur was asked to meet with Japanese listed company executives and hear their investment pitches via a translator. It was a last-minute request, so he was unprepared and had to think fast.
“It was a transformative experience that you can’t get from textbooks. When you’re put into these situations, it forces you to learn. Being thrown in the deep end was an experience that broadened my horizons and taught me to keep cool under pressure.”
Gaining real-world finance experience through internships
Arthur studied a Bachelor of Commerce/Arts, majoring in Finance and Politics & International Relations, respectively.
He’s completed six internships and says experiencing different areas of the finance industry has given him a broad perspective and a clear understanding of the big picture.
“It’s important to try different paths of the industry you’re interested in. Getting broad exposure helps you know whether the job is for you. I’ve had friends go into good jobs only to realise that it’s just not for them.”
One of his internships was with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as part of his Commerce degree.
“At ASIC I worked on a strategic review of insider trading levels in the market. It was a fantastic experience and a great time to be there with everything going on with the royal commission,” he says.
Arthur had enrolled in a course that involves completing an internship and submitting a report on the experience. As part of the course, UNSW Business School contacts industry partners, like ASIC, for internship opportunities.
Building networks, employability skills and a competitive edge
Arthur also found internships through his personal network. He joined societies including the Financial Management Association of Australia and the University Network for Investing and Trading. He volunteered as Secretary for the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce and has family who worked in banking. However, Arthur found one of his biggest supporters from the UNSW Business School Career Mentoring Program.
“My mentor has gone out to bat for me a lot. Building relationships and networks is critical, I’m often surprised how my former bosses will happily reach out to their networks for me when I’m looking for new opportunities.”
When being interviewed for opportunities, Arthur found that it’s important to know what makes you different. For example, he was the banking category winner in the AFR Top100 Future Leaders 2020, and he has won Bronze at the Oceania Junior Fencing Championships.
“Think of something interesting in life that you can share. I’ve had mentors tell me when they talk about candidates they interviewed, it’s easier, for example, to recall ‘that kid who did fencing’.”
Through his work experience, Arthur discovered he was suited to the deadlines, pressure and perks of the banking sector.
He also developed political and environmental beliefs – that government reform will come from financial markets and the private sector pushing investment into clean energy.
Arthur’s sense of purpose and experience led him to a full-time position at Natixis – a leading global renewable energy financier that believes financial institutions have a responsibility for our transition to a low-carbon economy.
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