Profitable exchange SGX scholar Isaiah Paul Das picks up invaluable lessons about the world of finance By Geraldine Tan HIS love for economics propelled Mr Isaiah Paul Das to capitalise on the prospects and opportunities in the financial sector. He says: “Economics interested me because it was not just about gross domestic product or money and banking. The whole history, its evolution and the philosophy of it fascinated me.” But apart from choosing a field to build a career, he had his eye on a very specific part of it. On accepting the Singapore Exchange (SGX) scholarship, the 25-year-old says: “For me, it came at the right time. I was going to read economics at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and I thought to myself, what better place to start my career than in the heart of the financial industry? “After all, there were many banks to work at, but only one SGX. I just had a feeling that this would be the right place for me.” The scholarship did not just enable him to delve deeper into a subject that challenged him, it also gave him the opportunity to indulge in two of his passions — young people and music. He says he had a varied experience in his four years at NUS. He worked with young people in church, conducted music workshops for youths, taught and performed with the guitar and he even took part in a biathlon and marathon. “I was also part of a team that published Unwritten, a compilation of stories of young ex-offenders that are not often highlighted, of second chances and hope for the future,” he adds. In 2004, he went on a three-week community service trip to Cambodia, where he worked in an orphanage for children stricken with HIV Aids. “Sharing our time with them reminded me about the importance of living life — it is not just about how much one earns, or how long one lives. It is about making the best use of every moment, opportunity and ability. “That really shapes my thinking now — I do not measure success only by financial metrics or being the best in everything. It must come holistically and in balance.” The experiences in and outside university prepared Mr Das for the demands and rigours of being a management associate at SGX. “Economics really ties the fundamentals down: how people make decisions, what affects markets, what drives demand and supply,” he observes. “The theoretical knowledge certainly helps in understanding how the financial markets work. “But the ‘soft’ side of things have also helped: learning to work in diverse project teams, understanding human relations and working in the community. All these are skills that are essential in the marketplace,” he points out. At SGX, new management associates cut their teeth on rotations though the various groups in the organisation. In his current stint with the corporate services group, Mr Das assists the chief financial officer (CFO) and other colleagues with administrative matters, as well as research and special projects. “I am also part of the corporate development unit, which deals with our alliances with other exchanges such as the Bombay Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange. My responsibilities there include overseeing developments and forging new partnerships and alliances,” he adds. Six months into the job, he says his colleagues generously impart knowledge, and he looks forward to learning more about the unique work they do at SGX. “Having the opportunity to be part of the changes in the global exchange landscape is exciting, as we assess and evaluate the opportunities presented to SGX,” he says. “It is also a great opportunity for me to work for the CFO as I learn what it takes to succeed at the top and the challenges that come with it. “Being where I am now offers me a great opportunity to see things in totality, from the macro perspective to industry, our exchange and the people,” he notes. “Witnessing developments in the industry and learning how top management anticipates, handles and responds to our changing environment — that is something invaluable.”