Muhamad Haikal Zahar first dabbled in coding when he was a teacher at the Ministry of Education. His interest in coding was piqued during a casual conversation with some of his students, as they shared their aspirations to learn coding.

“I took up some coding courses in my own time,” Haikal recalls, “from there I discovered I really liked dealing with data.”

His sojourn into coding only developed into a greater thirst for more and soon led him to take up a beginner’s course in Qlik Sense data modelling . The deeper he delved into Demand Driven Operating Models (DDOM), the more his fascination with data grew.

As he explored his career options, he also asked himself what he was really passionate about. 

Taking the Leap of Faith

As he followed his growing curiosity in coding, he came across the Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP), and Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for mid-career individuals looking to pivot into technology within the finance sector.

Intrigued by the programme's curricula of hands-on experience, Haikal saw it as the perfect opportunity to turn his interest into a new and exciting career. 

“The six months of academic training at DigiPen Institute of Technology gave me the rigour necessary to improve on my skills,” he reflects. “This was essential for the fundamentals of the daily operations during my year-long attachment at DBS, where I had my on-the-job training.”

In 2023, Haikal successfully transitioned into a Data Analyst at DBS. In his current role as Data and Business Specialist, he provides crucial analytical support and develops data aggregator tools for consumer banking.

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Photo credit: Muhamad Haikal Zahar)}

The Value of Transferrable Skills

While the disciplines of educator and data specialist in finance may seem vastly different at first glance, there are some skills that are similar.

 “As a data specialist, having good communication skills are important to help me understand the needs of my end users,” Haikal explains. “It’s a lot like when I was teaching.”

“My experience in pedagogy has also proved to be valuable now,” he adds. “In the past, when my students struggled with a particularly difficult concept, I would try and use different methods to explain it to them.”

“The subject matter might not be the same now; but being resourceful, digging deep and being creative when tackling a complex problem isn’t very different from before.”

_{(Photo credit: Muhamad Haikal Zahar)}

The Drive to Thrive

Adaptability, he says, is what drives him in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable world of tech in finance.

In the beginning, Haikal found himself navigating unfamiliar territory, grappling with complex concepts and learning about new technologies.

“My job cycle as an educator was pretty standard; where we could expect when there’s an uptick in workload,” he explains.

“Now I can have multiple requests from different departments that may all come at the same time. It’s quite overwhelming at first, but my experience has taught me to think systematically; to prioritise and keep things manageable.”

A key takeaway since he embarked on this transformative journey is building and maintaining good relationships with his users, not unlike the dynamic he had with his students as a teacher.

It was the openness in communication he had with his students that had led Haikal on this rewarding path.

Keeping Up with Tech Advancements

Part of adapting to constant change is keeping abreast of rapid advancements in technology in the finance sector. Haikal is thankful for the T&O Data Chapter, where he regularly attends Lunch & Learn Sessions to be aware of the latest developments.

“I leverage on these sessions to further my knowledge, and DBS also funds courses on Coursera to further improve our breadth and depth in the technological arena.”

^{(Photo credit: Muhamad Haikal Zahar)}

A Legacy of Learning

Haikal’s journey from educator to data specialist in finance tech was driven by his thirst for knowledge, and the courage to ask “why not make a career out of this?”

For those considering a career in tech in finance, especially for mid-career individuals, Haikal advises to start exploring the myriad of programmes to see where your passion for tech lies.  

The Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP) is an industry Attach-and-Train Career Conversion Programme that aims to build up an industry pipeline of capabilities in key technology areas to meet the talent needs of the financial services sector. The programme is managed by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), with the support of Workforce Singapore (WSG), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and participating financial institutions.

Find out more about TFIP here.