Tong En Sim

Why Finance? 📈

Well, I enjoy storytelling with numbers, where each figure has a story to tell about businesses, markets, and strategies. I love the thrill of diving into data, uncovering trends, and connecting the dots to see the bigger picture.

My curiosity for Finance grew over time led me to step out of comfort zone, decided to pursue my undergraduate studies at the world of financial hub-United Kingdom. That leap of faith paid off when I was honored with the Highest Achieving International Graduate award at Queen’s University Belfast—a moment that truly ignited my drive to go further.

Now, I am taking this passion to the next level, pursuing an MSc in Finance and Private Equity at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

As an international young woman who aim to build a career in the Finance industry, I am dedicating my early 20s for growth, professional development and build connections.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way? Stay curious and work smart.

Study Abroad...
What's the biggest lesson?

1.Being an AUTODIDACT 📝

An autodidact is a person who is self-taught and pursues knowledge independently. This is the biggest takeaway from my undergraduate years. Not just attending lectures and tutorials, but to think about the WHY. Why am I here today attending this class? Why is this concept important for my next few years? Questioning the why and being able to think critically is often the key to self-learning process. Of course, for many doubts I have encountered, search engines and online community platforms such as Google and YouTube have been always my best friends.

2.Mastering the Clock 🕰

“Time management is life management.” To be honest, I struggled with this a lot and am still in the learning process. Staying on top of EVERYTHING is not easy, and we often find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and commitments. It's like trying to keep all the plates spinning at once without letting any of them fall. However, despite the challenges, I learned that effective time management is key to maintaining balance.

3.Stay calm in unforseen circumstances ☘️

There were times when I spilt my coffee into my laptop, was rejected for an employment permit, forgot to save an important file etc. Being the most clumsiest person ever, many unpleasant experience has taught me to stay calm while dealing with the unexpected. Of course , being mindful of everything is something I need to learn.

4. Embrace the weather 🌦️

My mood used to swing a lot during winter and rainy days, I felt demotivated. In the UK, you can never predict the weather. It has also been said that you can experience all four seasons in just one day. Since the weather is unpredictable, I learned how to embrace it. Even its sunny or rainy, life goes on. Also, something I enjoyed the most is romanticising the four seasons. For example, making a wishlist for every season excites me and keep me going.

University Life

University life has been about more than just academics. As for me, university is a place for me to be independent and learn how you manage myself. Throughout my undergraduate experience, I appreciate how university life has honed my impersonal skills , personal and professional development. I met several groups of friends, build connections with academic staff, professors and treat university as my second home.

One thing I learned the most: You reap what you sow!

Hard work does pay off. Remember there were days where I could not sleep due to not understanding a certain concept, grinding in library during holidays, crying before an exam etc. It was not easy , but it is part of process. Miracle does happen when hard work is there, trust the process. Reflecting on those challenging times, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned and the growth experienced, as it has shaped me into the resilient and determined individual I am today.