Student Stories

“It is always about the “Alpha Attitude”. Once you set your mind on something, you have to be completely focused on it. It’s about giving in your 100% towards a goal irrespective of the outcome. Even if things don’t work out, you will learn and grow from it. What matters is that you always give your best.” – Karan Y Gupta

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Could you share with us about your current role as Wealth Management Advisor at Sykes & Ray Equities (I) Ltd?

In SRE, I have been spearheading the Wealth Management division over the last decade. We manage assets over S$100million, encompassing more than 5,000 families, including NRIs (Non-Residential Indians).

How did you get started in wealth management and what motivated you to keep pursuing it?

My interest in pursuing wealth management as a career was always driven by an aspiration to make a positive difference in an individual’s life. A change, not only for a lifetime but one that lasts over generations. Our mission is to establish a community where achieving personal financial independence is a priority.

What are the challenges you faced in your current career, and how did you overcome them?

When I started heading the Wealth Management Division (quite early on in my career), the department’s sustainability was at stake. I knew I had to implement changes to make things work while simultaneously learning the game’s ropes.  Overcoming this challenge required me to dwell deep into the issues and make considerable operational changes. As a result, the department thrived by increasing the turnaround time by many folds while maintaining a lean organisation.  Over the decade, the bonds we have developed with our clients are also key growth drivers.

What attracted you to pursue a master’s degree at PSB Academy? What makes the University of Newcastle, Australia master’s degree stand out instead of other institutions?

PSB Academy is centrally located & offers a diverse cultural experience in Singapore ably supported by strong academic credentials & tie-ups. The management and faculty are extremely helpful to create a unique learning experience on the campus. With multiple universities being hosted at a single campus, PSB Academy offered flexibility for the curriculum selection process.

The Master of Business Administration offered by University of Newcastle, Australia, was the most suitable programme that I could enrol for as I could complete the same in the Singapore Campus in 9 months and begin implementing the teachings in my existing business setup.

In what ways has your education at PSB Academy added value to your career and personal development?

I think personal and professional development are interdependent & I am grateful for my education at PSB Academy. The distinguished faculty from University of Newcastle, Australia has helped me address issues from my existing business in aspects of decision making, recruitment, business analysis and marketing.

The curriculum was abreast with the ever-changing dynamics of the practical world, which is coupled with relevant case studies. Thus, I could address the bottlenecks I was facing in my department.

You played an active role as a mentor in our PSB Academy Mentoring programme. What challenges do you think students face today that they need help with the most and why do you think it is important for them to join the Mentoring Programme and seek guidance?

Often, the students’ expectations and theoretical knowledge do not match the practical aspects of their desired profession. To bridge this gap, it is important for them to seek guidance, hone practical skills, and acquire relevant knowledge to pursue a satisfying work profile. I believe this can give them an edge and help derive long term gratification.