Meet Our Risk Graduates And Learn More About The Risk Graduate Program
In September, 12 recent university graduates from around Australia started at BOQ head-office in Brisbane as part of our Risk Graduate Program. The Program provides an accelerated career pathway for graduates to experience diverse risk functions and build a deep understanding of each through three 12 monthly rotations.
We chatted to two of the graduates – Jordan Collins and Jimmy Chen - to learn more about their career path and time at BOQ.
Jordan Collins is a recent QUT graduate, who studied a Bachelor of Business majoring in Finance and Economics before starting our Risk Graduate Program as a Risk Analyst in the Commercial Receivables Management Team.
Jimmy Chen, another recent QUT graduate, also studied a Bachelor of Business majoring in Finance and Economics before starting the Risk Graduate Program as a Risk Analyst in the Retail Credit Team.
1. What has been the best part of your time at BOQ so far?
Jordan: The people and culture within the bank! Everyone has made it immensely welcoming for myself and the other graduates, resulting in a smooth and friendly transition into the new workplace.
Jimmy: Learning from my colleagues and especially my manager. Having no experience in lending, it has been interesting to understand what we, as a bank, look for in terms of risk, when customers apply for personal or home loans.
2. What has been the most challenging about your time at BOQ so far?
Jordan: The most challenging part would have to be soaking up and retaining all the new information and material that have been thrown at me for the past few weeks. Similarly, remembering everyone’s name!
Jimmy: The most challenging thing about my time at BOQ would be understanding the risk BOQ take when a loan application is not within policy and how we mitigate those risks.
3. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Jordan: Undeniably the most typical, yet best advice I have been given would simply be, “The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.” Starting a new role entails vast amounts of learning, however, this can be assisted by asking some seemingly stupid questions!
Jimmy: The best advice I have been given is “self-learning and development is the key to a successful career.” There is only so much you can study at university but if you use personal time to develop additional skills, then you will be able to achieve anything.
4. Who is your biggest influence / who inspires you the most?
Jimmy: My parents – they are extremely hard working people and also encourage me to be the best version of myself.
5. What are you most excited about for your future at BOQ?
Jordan: I am most excited about the different areas of the bank that I’ll be able to work in over the next 3 years. Gaining a widespread understanding of the different streams within Group Risk and the responsibilities involved.
Jimmy: I am most excited about learning different skills in each rotation in the graduate program and to develop myself professionally and personally.
If you'd like to join BOQ as part of the Risk Graduate Progam, click here to find out more and apply for our next intake.
