Share Your Work Experience Form
Name: Asrar Ahmed Khan
Organization: Doha Bank, Qatar
Designation: Trading Risk Analyst, Financial Risk Management Department
Work Experience (in years): 6
Industry: Banking/ Financial Institution
Expertise:
Q. What to expect at the entrant level? (Ups and downs during the early years)
There is a major difference between academic studies and actual work. On the job learning is a process that takes time. Excellence is achieved through continued perseverance and hard work. There are no short cuts to learning.
The field that an entrant wants to pursue needs to be decided during the first year of their career. Excessive job hopping and field change does not give a positive image to current / prospective employers.
Q. Explain the Career progress that is typical to this field? (Growth pattern/ promotion chances/ overseas placements)
I am a market risk analyst, which is a specialized field that requires good knowledge of Treasury and its products, mathematics and statistics. Typically, an entrant joins as a junior analyst progressing to senior analyst, Head of Treasury Risk and then Head of Market Risk. Overseas placements depend on the employer; normally Market Risk is a Head Office job.
Q. What pre requisite courses need to taken to help students to enter this career path? (Courses/ certifications that help in this field)
Courses:
Treasury & Fund Management, Analysis of Financial Statements, Security Analysis, Investment Banking (Not absolutely necessary), Advanced Mathematics and Advanced Statistics
Certifications:
If a student intends to pursue GARP’s FRM exam, then it will help in this field
Q. Do employers have a preference for certain individuals? (CGPA or a specialized Bachelors or masters requirement)
CGPA depends on the employer; they might have a minimum cut-off for MT programs.
Usually an MBA in finance with adequate Mathematics back ground is preferred.
Q. Who are the industry leaders and trend setters in this field? (Companies that need to be looked out for)
Market Risk is limited to Banks and Asset Management Companies.
Some Audit / Consultant firms may also require Market Risk people.
Q. Any advise that you can offer to current students?
Reading is very important; always try to read literature relevant to your field of interest. Ask questions. Be focused and develop patience. Get into details; without looking at minute intricacies you cannot expect to be an expert in your field.
