More than just a numbers game for Julien Li Hee Cheong

Julien Li Hee Cheong, a Payments and Fixed Assets team player, has nurtured a passion for numbers from his youth. For Julien, it is not just a numbers game - it is a people's game. This game plan has seen the young man, who always gives the best of himself, through a long list of accomplishments.

Early on in Julien’s academic career he ranked 27^th at the National level for his Higher School Certificate (HSC), out of all the boys in his chosen field of economics at the College du Saint Esprit in Quatre-Bornes. His determined attitude pushed him to achieve further winnings at Curtin University where he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting and Finance, and achieved the Vice-Chancellor’s list award, comprising the top 1% of undergraduate students based on academic performance during a given semester.

Once Julien had conquered his studies, he launched out into the next level of the game with his first round of employment at an audit firm. It was here that he touched base with MCB as he formed part of an external audit team. “It was then that I realised how big MCB was. I was impressed and thought it would be great to have the opportunity to work for MCB, not knowing at the time that it would only be eight months later that I would be enrolled in MCB’s Forward Graduate Programme!”

The Programme proved to be a game-changer for Julien’s career. It provided him with the exceptional opportunity to gain exposure to different departments within MCB, which would have been impossible otherwise. “I would recommend the Programme to any graduate because it offers an incredible opportunity to learn a lot and to be able to meet the management teams of various departments. It can kickstart your career and build a network, within which, you grow personally and professionally”.

The Forward Graduate Programme gave Julien the upper hand, as it propelled him forward into the position he now enjoys. Five years later, he is still reaping the winnings of the Programme in his latest role as Payments and Fixed Assets Analyst at MCB. And, to make things even sweeter, Julien is currently up for a promotion within his team.

While numbers are his playing field, it is his interaction with others that inspire his A-game, “I'm a people person, I love helping others and my position at MCB gives me the opportunity to find solutions for people every day.”