Mar 13 • Anna Buckley

How University Pathways Helped APAC Students Gain a Competitive Edge in Finance

From simulated trading floors to investment banking strategies, three APAC students share how AmplifyME’s University Pathways programme gave them hands-on experience and career confidence.
For many finance students, the leap from university coursework to industry roles can feel daunting. That’s where AmplifyME’s University Pathways programme steps in—offering immersive simulations that help students experience financial markets, investment banking, and quantitative finance in action.
We spoke to three students from across APAC who took part in the programme to hear about their experiences, key takeaways, and how it has shaped their career ambitions.

Haiyue Wu, City University of Hong Kong

Studying Business Decision Analytics | Interested in Quantitative Finance

Why Finance?

Haiyue, a first-year Business Decision Analytics student, was drawn to finance because of its powerful mix of data-driven decision-making and real-world application.
"I enjoy using data to gain insights into business problems and provide solutions for complex situations. This major not only equips me with data analysis skills but also allows me to apply these skills to real business scenarios, helping organizations make smarter decisions."

Key Takeaways from Pathways

For Haiyue, the investment banking simulation was a standout moment:
"This was a standout experience for me during the program. What made this experience particularly memorable was the level of realism and the complexity of the scenarios we encountered. We had to analyze real-time market data, assess risks, and make strategic decisions under time pressure, just like real investors would. The fluctuating market conditions and the need to adapt quickly taught me the importance of flexibility and quick thinking in the financial world. Moreover, seeing the direct impact of my decisions on the simulated portfolio's performance was both challenging and rewarding. It was a moment of realization that even small decisions could have significant consequences"
She also discovered a passion for quantitative finance, where she combined her interest in data analysis and programming to understand market trends.

How Pathways Built Career Confidence

"Before this programme, I was excited but somewhat uncertain about a career in finance. However, the simulations and career guidance gave me a clearer understanding of the actual work in the financial industry and boosted my confidence in my abilities. Now, I feel more prepared to pursue career opportunities in finance."
Haiyue plans to deepen her knowledge of quantitative finance and secure internships to apply her skills in a real-world setting.

Yibei Lin, The University of Hong Kong

Studying for a Master’s in Finance | Interested in Quant & Coding

Why Finance?

With years of experience in auditing, Yibei pursued a Master’s in Finance to transition into investment roles.

Eye-Opening Market Lessons

For Yibei, the simulations provided a real-world test of financial decision-making:
"I bet on a commodity trade based on an inflation announcement, but it didn’t work out as expected. It showed me that markets aren’t as simple as they seem—you need to consider many more factors than just economic data."

Developing a Passion for Quant

Through Pathways, Yibei discovered an unexpected interest in quantitative finance and coding:
"I found the quant experience really engaging. It made coding feel accessible and interesting."

How Pathways Built Career Confidence

While Yibei doesn’t feel drastically more confident about securing a finance job, she now understands the practical applications of financial skills:
"I feel more comfortable because I know what to expect in the industry and what I need to improve on."
Yibei plans to enhance her technical skills in coding and explore more career pathways within finance.

Patrick Harvey, Macquarie University

Final-Year Undergraduate Finance Student | Interested in Investment Banking

Why Finance?

For Patrick, finance is about uncovering the mechanics of how society operates:
"To me, finance is pulling back the curtains on how the world works. How does money change hands? Why are certain factors important and others not into changes in company value? How does the share market actually work? These were all questions I was seeking answers to."

Key Takeaways from Pathways

Patrick’s biggest revelation came during the M&A simulation.
"I realised all the work that I had been doing in university surrounding DCF analysis was directly applicable into a real world career. It helped my understanding of why this had been pushed so hard in several of my subjects."

Investment Banking Insights

One of Patrick’s favourite moments was building client relationships in the investment banking simulation.
"I enjoyed how you could develop relationships with different hedge funds and how this lead to them instead of going to group chat, just coming straight to my direct messages. I was able to see in real time how providing a quality service with good returns can directly lead to continued clients prioritising coming straight to you through the development of trust."

How Pathways Built Career Confidence

Patrick feels far more prepared for the finance industry, particularly due to the career sessions on CVs and interviews:
"These sessions where in my opinion just as important if not more in helping to provide a proper outline around the necessary steps to apply for and enter the industry. Particularly around CV’s and interviews this reduces the amount of worry one has about these processes and provides the confidence to apply for these roles."
Patrick is actively applying for graduate roles in major banks and financial institutions across Australia.
Discover how University Pathways boosts student employability and bridges the gap between academia and industry!