What degree did you study at university?
Civil Engineering – University of Pretoria
What is your role at Nedbank?
I am a Quantitative Analyst Trainee, currently doing my rotation in CIB: Models.
Can you tell us why you chose this career?
I have always enjoyed working with numbers and analysing data. Whether it’s stress testing of a bridge or stress testing of how many people we can lend money out to.
What’s a typical day like in your job?
I start my day at 07h30 by reading my emails first, so that I can catch up on any news that may be happening in the bank, and read any information that may relate to my work. I typically spend my day working on a code for a specific project that’s been assigned to me, such as automating ECL calculations.
What are the some of the highlights and challenges of your role?
The biggest challenge thus far has been learning to code in SAS because I’ve never worked with SAS before and also learning the banking terms that are used since I have an engineering academic background. My highlights are the support that I have received from the Quants Graduate Programme with the Nedbank Risk Business School sessions, these are presented by Senior Quants in the bank with a wealth of knowledge. They have taught me, and my fellow Quants Grads, so much on the new terminology and the calculations that we have had to learn. Another highlight I must mention is the support I have received from my team in CIB: Models. I’m always encouraged to ask questions and they have always been willing to help me out, be it with questions on regulations and codes or just making sure that I’m coping and not overwhelmed.
How do you keep up to date with all the changes in your profession?
My first point of contact for information is my email, and that is why it’s the first thing I catch up on in the morning. I also sit right next to my manager, she and I talk throughout the day on what is currently happening in the department so that I stay in the loop. Nedbank also has a page where you can see what’s happening in and around the bank, it may not be related to my rotation but it’s nice to know what I can involve myself in.
What do you enjoy doing for fun outside of the office?
I’m such a foodie, I love going out and trying out new food. I also practice yoga. I’m still working on getting back to the gym though.