Unlocking passion to profession

Grace Sum's journey into the world of financial markets was anything but ordinary.

Four years into her government job, she was ready for her next career challenge. That's when she stumbled upon ANZ’s Markets Acceleration Program (MAP) on LinkedIn. It was the perfect opportunity for people from various backgrounds – not just finance – to dive into the exciting and ever-changing world of financial markets.

"The opportunity to rotate across different desks and gain broad-based exposure was too good to pass up," says Grace (pictured, left), now Associate for Cross Currency Trading in Singapore.

Joanne Bae's experience is just as empowering. With four years of experience at ANZ Private Bank, she enjoyed building close client relationships but wanted to deepen her technical knowledge of financial products and markets. She was drawn to the dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-evolving environment of Markets. Joanne delighted in the opportunity to learn by doing and gain first-hand experience on the trading floor. MAP was the perfect fit for her aspirations.

"The rotations gave me exposure to different teams, and ultimately, the Fixed Income Sales team felt like the perfect fit," says Joanne (pictured, right), now Associate Director for Fixed Income Investor Sales in Australia.

"It allows me to combine both the technical side of Markets and the client engagement I thrive on."

Grace found her skills as a security policy analyst, including scenario analysis, were both valuable and transferrable in the world of financial markets. She was able to apply her analytical skills to understand global events' economic impacts. "Analysing the possible scenarios and global implications was something I sought to apply from my previous role."

Similarly, Joanne's prior experience taught her the importance of relationship management. These skills were an asset in Markets, where she dealt with multiple stakeholders. Her ability to distil information quickly and concisely, helped her build stronger, more meaningful relationships in her new environment. "Being able to listen, absorb, and articulate your thoughts effectively has carried over seamlessly from previous roles," Joanne shares.

Leveraging data

MAP offered Grace a unique experience and an opportunity to build new skills. She could carve out her own path, moving across different areas and gaining exposure to various asset classes and functions. She was particularly excited about the potential of data and digitalisation to transform the way the different teams worked.

Grace eagerly sought ways to leverage data and digital tools to automate desk processes and generate actionable insights for the sales and trading teams. It was a steep learning curve, but mastering the fundamentals of the market, the intricacies of asset classes, and the basics of trading systems became part of her daily routine.  

"Applying these skills and knowledge forms a core part of our day-to-day work,” says Grace.

For Joanne, leveraging data wasn't just about efficiency—it enhanced client conversations and decision-making. She saw how data-driven insights could shape market strategies, refine pricing decisions and strengthen client relationships. "Learning to extract meaningful trends from complex datasets gave me the confidence to engage with stakeholders more effectively," she explained.

As digitalisation evolves, Joanne is excited to explore new ways to integrate technology into her workflows, enhancing her ability to drive market strategies

A supportive atmosphere

Support systems played an important role in Joanne’s journey. Her line managers and the wider team helped her adapt. The mentorship program provided useful insights and a safe space to ask questions and seek advice.

"Having supportive colleagues to explain things makes a huge difference. The more you immerse yourself, the faster you'll grow." Joanne also emphasised the value of learning from diverse experiences, expertise, and perspectives, noting that "some of the best learning happens through casual conversations on the floor."

Grace also appreciated the friendly network of experts who were always ready to share their knowledge. “Speaking with people from a range of functions helped me better understand how the different roles work in tandem to deliver the best outcomes for the business.”

Whenever she hit a roadblock, there was always someone to help. The atmosphere was welcoming, and everyone was invested in her development and wellbeing.

"It was always easy to pull up a chair and sit with a senior trader to understand their day-to-day."

The future is bright

Both Grace and Joanne see a positive future for a diverse workforce in financial markets.

Joanne believes the industry has made great strides, but there's still more work to be done. "Programs like MAP play a critical role in bridging the gap, providing people with the tools and confidence to succeed and lead in financial markets.” Joanne predicts, "We’ll continue to see more women in senior positions, driving market strategy and influencing decision-making."

Grace and Joanne’s advice to others considering a career change into markets? "Just take the plunge!"

They acknowledge that the learning curve can be steep, but the exposure and opportunities are vast.

With a strong support system in place, anyone with a passion for markets can embark on a fulfilling and exciting journey. They both agree if you’re ready to put in the effort, there’s no limit to where you can go.

Joanne’s words of wisdom: "opportunities like this don’t come around often, so make the most of them."

Nimaya Kodikara is Content Coordinator at ANZ.