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Banking on law
Studying law hones Mr Ang's analytical thinking and improves his oratory skills.
PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
MR RONNIE Ang Yao Long is so used to challenges that he would probably be at a loss without them.
The 22-year-old OCBC Bank scholar picks up and masters new skills easily.
"I am one who relishes new challenges," says the first-year law undergraduate at the National University of Singapore.
As an example, he recalled that he started swimming only at 16 but became proficient very quickly and even acquired the necessary skills to be a certified lifeguard.
Excelling in what he does seems to come easily to Mr Ang, who learnt to play his first musical instrument, the harmonica, at Raffles Junior College and became part of an ensemble.
He went on to perform in competitions and emerged as the champion in a national contest in 2005.
When he was studying at Raffles Institution, he rose from being an ordinary National Police Cadet Corps cadet to a station inspector, the highest rank attainable at secondary school level.
In junior college, he was made a cadet inspector and trained senior cadets at his former school.
His winning streak is likely to serve him well when he earns his law degree and specialises in arbitration and corporate law.
He is especially interested in the administration of a financial institution.
"I aspire to be a litigator, specialising in corporate affairs," he says. The complexity of the job appeals to him.
"Compared to other areas of law, corporate litigation is much more complex and difficult given the magnitude and sophistication of transactions among various companies."
"I wish to specialise in this area as I relish the challenge of handling such demanding cases," he adds.
Mr Ang was attracted to the scholarship offered by OCBC Bank because it comes with internship opportunities to let its scholars have first-hand experience in the day-to-day operations of a financial institution — from product development, credit review and capital management to relationship management and service management.
"I also appreciate the fact that it is a bond-free scholarship," he says, as this will free him to pursue his own aspirations after graduation.
Nonetheless, he still hopes to plot his learning curve in the banking sector.
"I hope to work for OCBC upon graduating, as banks are the focal points of all major economies," he says.
So why not pursue financial studies instead of law?
He explains: "Reasoning and logic are the two main factors that draw me to this subject, which requires me to strike the right balance between literature (too subjective and emotional) and science (too technical and rigid)."
He sees law as a way of honing his analytical thinking and improving his oratory skills.
"It will also boost the vigour of my mind by encouraging coherent logic and sensible judgment," he adds.
Beyond studies, Mr Ang enjoys working with youths, in particular, as a mentor.
During his secondary school days, he spent time guiding students with their schoolwork through the BP Mentoring programme.
"Sometimes I just lent a listening ear," he recalls.
His contribution resulted in him bagging the Chairman Mentor Award by the BP International Mentoring programme in 2003.
He has also served his community by volunteering with the Eunos Zone '7' Residents' Committee since his pre-university days.
On giving tuition free-of-charge to needy kids, he says: "I enjoy working with youths, being their mentor and guiding them. The experience has certainly made me more patient and compassionate."
All these activities, including his studies, keep him very busy but the high achiever recently added another sport to his belt – martial arts.
He joined the NUS Silat Club and finds the regular sparring sessions tough but enjoyable.
"Silat is essentially a marriage of mind and stamina – not only do you have to outlast your opponent, you also have to outwit him," he says.