Russell Chionh

What persuaded you to work for Bank of America Merrill Lynch?

First, the unlimited opportunities to work and learn from highly capable human resources colleagues enticed me. Second, the exposure that is given to me is not only restricted to the Asia Pacific region but potentially from Europe and the United States of America, since trainings may be conducted on a global scale. Finally, I had a positive experience and impression of the bank after my internship. Whenever I needed advice on a particular project, I could easily reach out to my team and other colleagues in human resources for help and they were always there to give their full support.

How does the bank support your development?

The bank has given me access to a huge amount of resources for me to leverage for learning and development as well as a fantastic platform to build my career through providing travel opportunities. One of which was sending me to Hong Kong for one month that has enabled me to build strong relationships with my colleagues there. It has also allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the businesses that I cover from a local perspective, their challenges, key talent and risks around their people. If you are looking for a work environment that will invest in your development, this is the right organization for you.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I am proud to work for a company that champions equal opportunities for all and supports internal mobility. I see myself building a long term career here and continuing the journey of discovering my strengths through working with and in different human resources teams. With the right support, I hope to continue building a strong business acumen and advance to a senior leadership role.

What advice would you give to students?

Be the driver of your internship or career. If you want to have a meaningful internship experience and fulfilling career, you have to own it. Be intellectually curious, proactive, show your passion and never make assumptions.

How do you describe the culture at the bank?

Bank of America Merrill Lynch strives to be a great place to work and generally has a very open culture. Senior leaders do take the time and effort to share about their career success stories and the challenges they face to be where they are at. They also ensure that junior talents have a solid career development plan and feel engaged constantly through meaningful work. You will also be surrounded by highly motivated colleagues, many of whom are exceptional professionals in their field of work.