April Zhang completed a Master of Financial Mathematics in 2018 and has since gone on to forge a successful career as a quantitative adviser (Market & Financial Risk Analytics Group) at leading insurance company Suncorp Group.
April was inspired to study the Master of Financial Mathematics program at The University of Queensland because of its world-renowned teachers, facilities and curriculum, which she knew would hold her in good stead when it came to kickstarting a meaningful career in the financial marketplace.
“UQ is highly regarded as one of Australasia’s most prestigious universities and a leader in research, so when the opportunity to study in a supportive multicultural environment and learn from highly regarded experts was presented to me, I had to take it,” April says.
“I also really loved the beautiful campus and enjoyed going to events at the university, where I was able to meet people from all over the world and develop friendships with other students and network with professors and researchers who had a genuine care for my experience as a student.”
Benefits of the Master of Financial Mathematics
The Master of Financial Mathematics provides students with the practical experience needed to make sure they’re ready to hit the ground running when they start out in the fast-paced and ever-changing financial industry.
I was provided with so many great opportunities to gain comprehensive professional industry experiences.
“During my time in the Master of Financial Mathematics, I was provided with so many great opportunities to gain comprehensive professional industry experiences, and I was fortunate enough to be able to conduct my industry research project at Suncorp Group,” says April.
“This allowed me to apply the mathematical models and statistical analysis techniques I was learning in the classroom to develop machine-learning models to assess retail credit risk and compare the results of these models with regular credit models.”
Another benefit to come from this hands-on industry experience was that April was able to secure a role with Suncorp Group as a quantitative analyst of capital strategy and risk models while she completed her studies.
April’s next steps
With the education and relevant experience behind her, April was then able to confidently take the next step in her career with Suncorp Group, where she moved up to the role of market and financial risk analytics adviser, a role she continues to find great satisfaction in.
“The variation in my job means that I’m constantly enhancing my technical knowledge and growing my analytics capabilities,” she says.
“I’m also acquiring new business skills and knowledge through the many opportunities afforded to me in my role, such as stakeholder engagement, report writing and presenting my findings and recommendations to relevant committees.”
When it comes to the next stages of her career, the sky is the limit for April, whose main goal is to continue learning and developing her skills in a bid to become a well-rounded professional in one of the world’s largest industries.
“My next goal is to continue gaining further professional experience within the financial industry and enhance my problem-solving and analytical capabilities so that I can become a senior adviser.”
If you’re interested in studying financial mathematics at UQ, consider the Master of Financial Mathematics.
