People Count The Most In Finance Sector
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday April 20, 2002
PEOPLE are more important than numbers in the finance sector, according to Stephanie O'Dwyer.
In fact Ms O'Dwyer, who works as a City Coast Credit Union loan service officer, said mathematics played only a minor role in her job.
``The most important part of this work is building a rapport with members, and being able to relate to them, and that involves good people skills," she said.
``You have to be focused on helping the members, and you need to be personable because the work is not just about completing administrative tasks."
The 24-year-old is responsible for meeting face-to-face with credit union members and considering their applications for personal loans and mortgage loans.
She also speaks to members over the phone about their loan inquiries - it is work which entails constant contact and communication with the public.
``I like dealing with our members on a daily basis, helping them out and finding a solution to their needs," she said.
``There is a lot of variety in the work because you don't have two members with exactly the same needs."
Ms O'Dwyer has worked at the credit union for the past four years, taking up her loan service officer position six months ago.
She completed her Higher School Certificate in 1995 at The Illawarra Grammar School. Her favourite study areas were drama, Japanese and English.
Ms O'Dwyer worked in Sydney for 12 months before starting a commerce degree, majoring in employment relations, at Wollongong University in 1997.
Part-time tertiary studies were combined with full-time work at the credit union until Ms O'Dwyer graduated last year with distinction.
``I hadn't been considering a job in the finance sector while I was at school," she said.
``This was something that came up after I heard about the success of the traineeship program at City Coast.
``I was interested in a career in human resources, and in working with people, and I thought the program would match these areas."
Ms O'Dwyer is part of the credit union's graduate trainee program.
Under the program, she worked in human resources for two-and-a-half years helping other employees with issues such as recruitment, training, and workers compensation.
Now she is expanding her experience by working in the front line with customers.
``Ultimately I would like to move into middle management with City Coast Credit Union and get back into human resources further down the track," she said.
``I really like working at City Coast because I have the opportunity to move around and try new things and there is a culture which is very supportive of people coming up with new ideas."
Ms O'Dwyer said she enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of her current job.
``A big part of our training is to help our members find the best solution for their needs rather than offering them a blanket product," she said.
``It is challenging because you are continually learning about new products and services and you are always updating your skills.
``You have to think outside the box and use your own judgment."
She also liked working in one organisation that could offer her a range of different tasks and training.
Ms O'Dwyer said people thinking about working in the finance sector needed to possess good organisational skills, conflict resolution skills, and verbal communication skills, and they needed to be computer literate.
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Wollongong University offers undergraduate commerce degrees. After a first year of common subjects, students are better positioned to see where their interests and strengths lie. They can choose to specialise in accounting, finance, financial planning, economics, electronic commerce, employment relations, industrial relations, business information systems, international business, legal studies, management or marketing.
Students can undertake double majors or a double degree.
Undergraduate degrees are three years or part-time equivalent. Students can study commerce subjects at Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega or Moss Vale campuses.
School leavers need a UAI of 80 (2002 figures) to get into commerce, while those over 21 or international students need to apply to the university.
Employers include small, medium and large businesses, accounting firms, large hotels, banks, stock brokers, Government departments, marketing agencies, insurance agencies. Estimated average starting salary is about $38,445.
UOW also offers a number of postgraduate commerce coursework and research programs.
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury