Jaslyn is the Head of the Global Trading Unit (GTU) at GIC, where she oversees cross-asset trading activities and drives the strategic vision of the GTU. Her team collaborates closely with investment teams to provide trading advisory, solutions, and best execution capabilities.
Outside of work, Jaslyn dedicates most of her free time to her family, supporting her children’s sporting activities on weekends. She also commits to daily activities that enhance her mental, physical, and emotional well-being, such as workouts, connecting with friends, reading, listening to podcasts and catching up on popular dramas.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
I must admit that it was the trader role that initially attracted me, followed by the GIC name. My interest in trading began with a faculty contest during my university days when I emerged top in predicting the STI levels. While it could have been luck, the experience solidified my confidence and set me on a career path in trading. Although I did not have the chance to start immediately after graduation, 4 years later, I saw the GIC job advertisement for a junior trader, and I knew I had to try it. You can imagine my elation when I was selected for the interview, despite having no trading experience, and subsequently offered the job.
What does your typical workday look like?
I start my day by logging into Bloomberg, checking my emails, and all trading applications. After scanning through key market developments, I will usually head up to GIC cafe for a caffeine fix and a quick chat with colleagues I encounter. Once back at my desk, my focus shifts to closely monitoring financial markets and interacting with sell-side traders and our investment teams. I lunch in the office on busy days but try to catch up with colleagues or counterparties to bond and exchange views over lunch. For the rest of the day, I alternate my focus between watching markets and attending internal and external meetings. Recently, I have adopted the daily habit of time-blocking my calendar for important priorities, allowing me to focus more effectively on achieving meaningful outcomes.
What do you like most about working here?
GIC is a forward-looking organization and a well-respected SWF. Being part of GIC provides me with exposure to an extraordinary network of the world’s industry leaders, offering invaluable opportunities for learning and growth. This environment not only enhances my professional development but also keeps me at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
There has never been a dull day at GIC as financial markets are always evolving. I find myself learning something new each day through my interactions with colleagues, counterparties, etc. The continuous process of learning excites me, and it is great that GIC school and company intranet has abundance of online resources for one to pick up information during my free time. I am immensely grateful to my managers for the mentorship as well as numerous opportunities to grow my career within GIC and I aspire to offer the same level of mentorship and support to my team, fostering their development just as mine has been nurtured.
What you should know before joining GIC
Be resourceful. Be inquisitive. Be authentic. Find out as much as you can about GIC to prepare yourself ahead of the interview. During the interview sessions, use the opportunity to ask your interviewers about their experiences with the firm and assess if they relate to you. Being self-aware and authentic can help a candidate stand out compared to job applicants who rely on scripted answers. When you join us, you will find out that in GIC, there is so much to learn and there will be many colleagues around you to support and help you grow.