Navigating Course Change: Nigel Tan on Starting Over from Engineering to Finance

3 December 2024

Coming from a family of engineers, it only seemed natural for Nigel to pursue a similar career. However, as he was exposed to conversations about finance and investing, he began developing an interest in this field. That was when Nigel decided to transition from his diploma in Mechatronics Engineering to a finance degree.

While he initially considered pursuing a degree overseas, he eventually settled on studying locally to maintain close ties with his family and support network.

“I chose the Bachelor of Business (Finance & Economics) programme offered by SIM-RMIT after seeing the success of my siblings and friends, who studied here and secured ideal finance internships and/or jobs in some of the most reputable bulge brackets and boutique banks after their graduation, which thoroughly impressed me,” he explained.
 

ENGINEERING A NEW PATH

Starting on a clean slate is never easy. Describing the transition as the lowest point in his academic journey, Nigel confessed, “The hardest part for me was adjusting to a completely different way of thinking and studying.

“Unlike engineering, where problems often have clear solutions and the thought process is very rigid and systematic, finance requires understanding abstract concepts and making decisions based on incomplete information.”

To overcome this gap, Nigel sought support from his peers and lecturers.

Highlighting his lecturer Ms Loris Hew, he continued, “Some of my most memorable moments at SIM include meeting a lecturer who was an ex-hedge fund manager. She offered invaluable support and shared many tips and advice on breaking into the competitive finance sector.”

Nigel also joined the Investment and Networking Club to expand his professional network and deepened his understanding of finance. Through going for case competitions and stock pitch events, he slowly gained confidence in his financial knowledge and public speaking skills.

"The club collaborates with companies like PhillipCapital and Tiger Brokers, offering networking opportunities that could lead to internships,” added Nigel. “It has been a wonderful experience that has greatly contributed to my personal and professional growth.”

Nigel would also turn to extra resources instead of solely relying on the materials provided by the school. For example, he started to trade in the stock market to gain hands-on experience while funding his school fees.

This helped him to not take education for granted and stay focused on his dreams.

“Despite the difficulties of that first semester, I reminded myself of the goals I set and pushed through every challenge, emerging stronger and more determined than ever.”

It is with this determination that Nigel managed to adapt and achieve exemplary grades, as demonstrated by his success in his Integrated Perspective on Business Problems (IBPB) module in the first year of his university.
 

TACKLING REAL WORLD PROBLEMS

To prepare their students for the working world, SIM-RMIT collaborated with industry partners to form a module called the Integrated Perspective on Business Problems (IBPB) where students were given a problem statement to propose solutions to.

This module brought together students from various majors in their first year of study at SIM-RMIT to form groups of 6 to 8 members and address an industry’s partner problem statement.

For Nigel’s cohort of over 900 students, they were tasked to develop innovative solutions for Singapore Red Cross Association to ease the burden on caregivers who provide comprehensive care to elderly family members.

“My team was a mix of different majors. We had one person from the global business major, two from economics, and three, including myself, from finance,” Nigel recollected. “This diversity enriched our learning experience, as each student brought different perspectives to the table, especially when we had to tackle a real-world problem.”

Spanning across three months, the project consisted of three progressive assignments: assessing the aging population and its driving factors, developing a solution using design thinking strategies, and a presentation of the solution.

“After evaluating all our ideas, we chose an approach that combined direct interactions with technology-driven learning to create an overall meaningful impact,” explained Nigel, whose team proposed solutions that incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR).

Competing against nearly 200 other groups, their team came in first. This earned them the privilege of presenting their project idea to Singapore Red Cross Association.

“Embarking on this project was a valuable experience that taught me many important skills,” Nigel shared. “I developed strong presentation skills and learned how to communicate effectively with high-level executives and key personnel, which will be crucial in a finance career.”

He also learnt how to work effectively under pressure and understand business problems from a broader perspective through this process.

“I'm incredibly thankful for this experience, as it has prepared me to navigate complex situations and work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes industry like finance,” the 25-year-old affirmed.
 

COUNTING THE COSTS

While Nigel was initially hesitant to change his course of study, his decision to “trust his gut” paid off.

“I didn’t know if I could cope with the finance modules or adjust to such a different academic environment,” he related. “However, my passion for finance kept me driven, and it’s what ultimately helped me succeed.”

Now in his final year of study, it doesn’t seem that Nigel's zeal for finance is abating any time soon. This fervour, the second-year student declares, is an important factor when choosing a career path.

“I learnt that while considering demand is important when choosing a career, passion is equally crucial. Your passion becomes a huge source of motivation once you start working and continues to fuel you throughout your career.

“Passion really is the key to staying consistently motivated, even when things get tough.”

Summing up his advice to other students who are considering switching courses, Nigel emphasised, “Embrace the change if it aligns with your passion and long-term goals. While the transition may be difficult at first, stay focused, seek support from those around you, and take advantage of every learning opportunity.

“Don't be afraid to start over. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to achieve your dreams.”
 

Learn more about the Bachelor of Business (Finance & Economics) programme offered by SIM-RMIT today.