“The Learn Earn and Progress (LEAP) program was an eight weeks internship that was designed for penultimate students who were seeking a career in the banking industry. Participants of the program were offered a hands-on experience in working with a series of project, attending several in-class trainings and taking part in banking networking sessions. By the end of the program, the LEAP interns were assessed individually by one’s respective Head for the graduate channel program under UOB Indonesia. 

Over the last two months, I worked as a System Parameter intern under the Operations department. My main responsibilities were to study the core banking system and create technical instructions regarding the maintenance, update, addition and removal of data in it. Within less than four weeks, I managed to complete a total of 248 technical instructions that include the maintenance of the system in the retail banking and business banking sector. Then, I was also entrusted to update data in the system such as the interest rate charge on credit cards on late payments, employees name and branch names. 

On the second month of the internship, I was then delegated a project by the Head of Operations regarding the amendments and compilations of operational policies under the operations department. Upon my completion of internship, I also did presentations for my team regarding the whole LEAP program structure and recommendations that were to be implemented in the Operations division.  

Throughout the internship period, a total of two in-class trainings and networking sessions were offered by the LEAP program. The first training was about basic banking in Indonesia, and the second one was about personal effectiveness and productiveness. Apart from the working and learning session, the interns also had a wonderful experience in participating in UOB Indonesia’s internal activities such as the celebration of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

One of the aspects that had helped me in securing this internship should be credited to GLEF. The two most beneficial courses were GLEF3010, International Monetary System, and FINA3030, Management of Financial Institutions.  The International Monetary System was the most unique course that GLEF had offered. Students were put in a simulation game, and everyone had to work hard in order to receive good grades. Students were trained to write short research papers and do a 30-minute presentation, which had indirectly helped me in improving my verbal and communication skills. The Management of Financial Institutions was a course that teaches about the banking industry. This particular course was very useful to me during my internship at UOB Indonesia as it eased me in understanding the system of the bank. I did not take a long time in learning the core banking system as I learned most of the banking structure from this course. 

Another factor that had contributed to my internship placement was my exchange experience at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through its teaching structure and method, I was able to build confidence in myself and control my fears in public speaking. 

In short, I think that GLEF had done an excellent job in offering me the classes that were needed in the banking industry.”