tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post7276250449529088394..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: Why The Arts Cannot Flourish in SingaporeGilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-76622620803843383672007-05-07T15:41:00.000+08:002007-05-07T15:41:00.000+08:00oh! I'm glad I'm no longer studying. If not my gra...oh! I'm glad I'm no longer studying. If not my grades will drop and then i will no longer be able to typ properli. orways use sms lang. cunt sp3ll animor.<BR/><BR/>I will not be one of those who can tell others to get out of my "elite uncaring face". I will be one of those who have to work longer and unable to retire.reenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00376459375424379203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-49618640433631961912007-03-08T22:00:00.000+08:002007-03-08T22:00:00.000+08:00thanks again just another ft. i'll heed that advic...thanks again just another ft. i'll heed that advice =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-11179451753795999262007-03-07T22:46:00.000+08:002007-03-07T22:46:00.000+08:00Hi Kenneth, I've always thought it's easier to do ...Hi Kenneth, I've always thought it's easier to do well in something you like. So maybe the best thing to do is take the courses you are most interested in, try your hardest, and trust that it will turn out for the better. (I'm assuming you don't major in Nordic Basket Weaving or something like that!)<BR/><BR/>It's hard to get in direct from school, but there are other ways into the industry than the graduate programs. Just do your best, and when the time comes, it will all come naturally.<BR/><BR/>Also, remember to have fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-72512660234854791232007-03-07T21:48:00.000+08:002007-03-07T21:48:00.000+08:00Hi all! Once again i'd like to thank you all for y...Hi all! Once again i'd like to thank you all for your advice. I actually have 5-6years to go before i graduate since i still have NS =) I'll keep everything you all said in mind when making my decision of choosing a course. <BR/><BR/>To Mr Wang: Thanks for letting me post here and gather up some info. If you do chance upon anything that you want to share about the finanical world, do blog about it. I'll be reading often, as i have been. =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-18659714468198126682007-03-07T17:34:00.000+08:002007-03-07T17:34:00.000+08:00eee... so smalleee... so smallAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-12126892292367087032007-03-07T10:58:00.000+08:002007-03-07T10:58:00.000+08:00Hi Kenneth,I was talking to my friends who are do...Hi Kenneth,<BR/><BR/>I was talking to my friends who are doing graduate finance courses in the US. They told me that the best bachelor's degree when one goes into the financial world is actually a Math degree. <BR/><BR/>Good luck with your studies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-89061052490817269202007-03-07T10:51:00.000+08:002007-03-07T10:51:00.000+08:00Hi:Don't worry. You've just finished your A-levels...Hi:<BR/><BR/>Don't worry. You've just finished your A-levels, right. Lots of things that "just another FT" mentioned may sound intimidating to you right now, but after you've finished university, they may not sound that intimidating. <BR/><BR/>Remember - 4 years is a long time to grow. 4 years ago, you were just finishing up your secondary two.<BR/><BR/>Think big!Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-38584047102867482482007-03-06T22:58:00.000+08:002007-03-06T22:58:00.000+08:00Hi just another ft. Thanks for your help. It has g...Hi just another ft. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for your help. It has given me a better idea of what i plan to jump into. I had no idea it would be that tough. Thus far, my interest seems to be in this line of work. I hope it will be enough to help me get through all the training.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-51000606859392656262007-03-06T22:16:00.000+08:002007-03-06T22:16:00.000+08:00Hi Kenneth, there's no real study course that prep...Hi Kenneth, there's no real study course that prepares for a job in investment banking.<BR/><BR/>As Mr Wang says, there tend to be alot of science (engineering, math, physics) grads in the derivative structuring side of the business, because they have the familiarity with models and applied math concepts, but there really isn't a fixed criteria.<BR/><BR/>Interviewers are looking for outstanding academics, and strong social skills. But they expect to have to train you pretty much from scratch anyway, so the actual field of study doesn't matter that much. <BR/><BR/>The process in one fairly typical IB works as follows: graduate intake comes in from all academic disciplines and enters a 12 month rotation programme. Rotations cover the major centres (Singapore, HK, London, Tokyo, NY) and are intended to give the business and candidate an opportunity to size each other up. At the end of the programme the candidate has to apply to a couple of desks for a job. If you have impressed, you have a job. If not, you don't, but can probably land something in a different firm.<BR/><BR/>Good luck. It's tough, and very competitive. I think the best thing to do is pick something you like, that interests you. That way you will probably excel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-39543598556426220062007-03-06T18:56:00.000+08:002007-03-06T18:56:00.000+08:00Thanks for your honest opinion mr wang. But how do...Thanks for your honest opinion mr wang. But how does one become the person who sells to the banks? <BR/><BR/>In JC i studied double maths, economics and physics. So up till this point i think i'm on the right track. The thing is, i've more or less decided to major in finance for a few years now so its abit difficult to change my thinking. SMU actually offers a major on quantitative finance apart from its finance major. I might be looking to take a double major then after hearing what you have to say. I might also minor in maths if i go to NUS just to back up a bizAd degree if i eventually decide to take it. <BR/>Another reason i'm still rather resistant to taking engineering, physics or maths is that they are more abstract and less applicabe to what i want to do in the future. Since i'm looking to venture into this line, i feel studying the subject directly would be the best option. For example, i believe that that the finance course covers derivatves and the various strategies to apply to differnt market situations. I probably wont learn the same thing reading maths. <BR/><BR/>Lastly, some people actually suggest taking accountancy instead of finance since it is less general(or so they say). Do you think that studying accountancy will be a wise option? <BR/><BR/>Again, thank you for your help =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-61815903194652284672007-03-06T15:13:00.000+08:002007-03-06T15:13:00.000+08:00Yes I think that the Bizad degree is quite general...Yes I think that the Bizad degree is quite general. If you're interested in going into IB and the area of derivatives, what investment banks usually want are graduates with a strong quantitative background - that is, good with maths. They don't really care whether you do engineering, or maths, or physics whatever ... but basically they want somebody who's comfortable with maths. <BR/><BR/>To get an idea of what these banks are looking for, I suggest you visit the websites of banks like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse etc which are the hardcore players in the field that you're interested in. Check out their requirements for their management associate programs. <BR/><BR/>I'm not saying that they won't ever hire a Bizad grad - I am saying that they have a preference for grads with a strong quantitative background, and Bizad grads don't really fit that bill.<BR/><BR/>On supply & demand, my gut feel is that private banking will become overpopulated. Where you want to be is higher up the value chain - for instance, instead of being the private banking guy who sells derivative products to private banking customers, you want to be the guy who sells derivative products to private banks which then on-sell the products to the private banking customer.<BR/><BR/>Finally, to get into an IB, you have to be reasonably outstanding all round. It can also be quite a demanding kind of work culture - it's really not for everyone. If you're a delicate soul, you're better off joining the civil service. <BR/><BR/>---<BR/><BR/>I know some investment bankers read my blog, heheh. Please do chip in.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-48410838599470924492007-03-06T13:33:00.000+08:002007-03-06T13:33:00.000+08:00Thanks mr wang. Well, I basically wanted to ask yo...Thanks mr wang. Well, I basically wanted to ask you for your opinion on pursuing a degree in business admin(finance). I've heard many differing opinions about it. Some people say a degree in business admin(finance) is a very general degree in the sense that you wont need such a degree to actually start a business or run it smoothly. I'm looking to go into investment in derivates like options or other things along this line. <BR/><BR/>My questions are<BR/>a)do you feel that a degree in business admin(finance) is really a "general" degree?<BR/>b)do you feel that the finance sector will become overpopulated in 6-7years time?<BR/>c)which of the local Universities offer the most suited finance course to what i am looking to study<BR/>d)any other advice you'd like to dispense.<BR/><BR/>thanks for your help in advance! =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-58578578760533182672007-03-06T09:37:00.000+08:002007-03-06T09:37:00.000+08:00"Seeing nudity could affect a person's concentrati...<I>"Seeing nudity could affect a person's concentration at a point in time and perhaps when he thinks of nudity while is is studying."</I><BR/><BR/>Sure. While studying, he could also think of dinner; TV; coffee; friends; world peace; his pet dog; and your blog. All these would also be distractions to studying.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-20589684900219245862007-03-06T08:13:00.000+08:002007-03-06T08:13:00.000+08:00The Arts is not just about nudism, therefore your ...The Arts is not just about nudism, therefore your post title is generalising. Crazy Horse has shut down, does that mean the Arts scene in Singapore will suffer?<BR/><BR/>You are committing the same broken logic as the old people who think students cannot study if they are distracted by nudity.<BR/><BR/>Seeing nudity could affect a person's concentration at a point in time and perhaps when he thinks of nudity while is is studying.<BR/><BR/>So nudity is just a distraction as many things else, there are many distractions to one's study besides nudity.<BR/><BR/>I guess the old person meant that seeing nudity might <B>corrupt</B> a person's innocence. But he is thinking small and talking small about modernised people.<BR/><BR/>But if people like him can't even explain what they mean properly, they should just shut up and go improve their english and vocabulary before talking nonsense to the local media. Otherwise it would only make them look stupid and senseless to modernised people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-10550693151373670092007-03-06T07:18:00.000+08:002007-03-06T07:18:00.000+08:00I wouldn't be the best person to advise you, becau...I wouldn't be the best person to advise you, because it's been many years since I graduated and I'm sure the universities have changed a lot since then.<BR/><BR/>Why don't you post your questions here anyway, and see if any of my readers have comments / feedback. If this turns out to be interesting, I may make a new post out of it, and invite more readers to share their views on the current state of the local universities.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-2572829647529645032007-03-05T21:50:00.000+08:002007-03-05T21:50:00.000+08:00mr wang, i'd like to contact you via email to ask ...mr wang, i'd like to contact you via email to ask for some advice regarding our local universities as i am going to apply for entry soon. please let me know if you'll be able to help me and, if so, how i can contact you. <BR/><BR/>p.s. sorry for posting in comments. i couldn't find your email address anywhere on the blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-65207252921203216562007-03-05T12:29:00.000+08:002007-03-05T12:29:00.000+08:00Most conservatives are really just hypocrites.Most conservatives are really just hypocrites.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-4343693372072995362007-03-03T16:34:00.000+08:002007-03-03T16:34:00.000+08:00For the Japanese, it isn't just their love hotels ...For the Japanese, it isn't just their love hotels but also risque variety shows, manga and anime, and even <A HREF="http://www.freetype.net/features/games/galgame/" REL="nofollow">computer games</A>. :-)simplesandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09835110235511998612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-8021393572360390262007-03-03T14:06:00.000+08:002007-03-03T14:06:00.000+08:00Oh, our older generation are very conservative ind...Oh, our older generation are very conservative indeed. Heheh. Why don't you read this Straits Times article:<BR/><BR/>Sunday Times, March 12, 2006<BR/>Mistress island<BR/>Welcome to Pulau Amat Belanda, second home to many Singapore men who visit their 'weekend wives' there<BR/><BR/><B>By Arlina Arshad<BR/>THERE is an island near Batam that receives, almost exclusively, male Singaporean visitors.<BR/><BR/>When the men get off the boat, they pay 25,000 rupiah (about $5) to register with the security men. Their passports are checked, and details such as their names, IC numbers and Singapore addresses noted.<BR/><BR/>Then they head to the homes of their 'weekend wives', rooms rented in stilted wooden houses ...</B><BR/><BR/>For full article, click <A HREF="http://commentarysingapore.blogspot.com/2006/03/special-island-for-singaporeans-and.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>And don't be so foolish as to believe the myth that "the East is so sexually conservative and the West is so sexually wild".<BR/><BR/>The Philippines are very, very accepting of homosexuality; Thailand is an international sex destination; the Japanese truly enjoy their sex games (<A HREF="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2031.html" REL="nofollow">the kinky "love hotels"</A> are a unique Japanese speciality); and the most famous <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra" REL="nofollow">sex instruction manual</A> in human history is Indian in origin; the world record for having the most lovers is held by a Chinese emperor. Etc etc.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-89527279848931753622007-03-03T13:25:00.000+08:002007-03-03T13:25:00.000+08:00Let's not kid ourselves!!!May I ask our leaders ho...Let's not kid ourselves!!!<BR/>May I ask our leaders how does one define "conservative" ? Contrary to what our leaders are telling us, do we really belong to a conservative society what with the available amount of sex, smut & sin happening nowadays.<BR/><BR/>Based on my observation , many Singaporeans including many uncles & aunties are indulging in extra-marital affairs or sexual flings with the sexually deprived & lonely ones, the sexually active males frequently visit Geylang, massage palours, etc or seek very young prostitutes in neighbouring countries while a lot of our teens are now experiencing sex at a early age. <BR/><BR/>So everytime when our leaders comes out to defend themselves for any objectionable content by giving the excuse that we are a conservative society, please do consider whether you are just trying to kid ourselves by telling us such a big lie!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-2530140271015360062007-03-03T12:05:00.000+08:002007-03-03T12:05:00.000+08:00We cannot hide from the fact that the majority of ...We cannot hide from the fact that the majority of the population are still very conservative even though how "westernised" people think we are .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-79139736574844874732007-03-03T11:20:00.000+08:002007-03-03T11:20:00.000+08:00"sitting directly in front of the nubile sex siren..."sitting directly in front of the nubile sex sirens were SR Nathan (as usual) Goh Chok Tong, Lee Kuan Yew, AND Lee Hsien Yang. Guess it's one set of standards for the peasants and another for those guys"<BR/><BR/>So you know how many of their dicks went hard?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-49666009264188861052007-03-03T07:17:00.000+08:002007-03-03T07:17:00.000+08:00Did any of you guys watch the pre-parade belly dan...Did any of you guys watch the pre-parade belly dancers at the Chingay 2007 on the 24th? Believe you me, there were lots of flesh and jiggling parts barely (pun intended) concealed in translucent veils. Also significant was the turnout of VVIPs seldom seen at the parade - sitting directly in front of the nubile sex sirens were SR Nathan (as usual) Goh Chok Tong, Lee Kuan Yew, AND Lee Hsien Yang. Guess it's one set of standards for the peasants and another for those guys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-8912199847121310872007-03-03T06:40:00.000+08:002007-03-03T06:40:00.000+08:00What's a nude painting compared to the smut we get...What's a nude painting compared to the smut we get from some foul-mouthed midget on national TV? <BR/><BR/>Gauguin, bad. Xiaxue, good. ;-)<BR/><BR/><I>anon wrote: "alright already, we know you're the kind of enlightened parent who doesn't mind if ur kids' primary school/ kindergarten were to sport David statues at every bend. "</I><BR/><BR/>And that you're the kind of puritan parent who doesn't feel compelled to educated your children on what art is, and what isn't art?simplesandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09835110235511998612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-17085848874317161302007-03-03T02:35:00.000+08:002007-03-03T02:35:00.000+08:00alright already, we know you're the kind of enligh...alright already, we know you're the kind of enlightened parent who doesn't mind if ur kids' primary school/ kindergarten were to sport David statues at every bend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com