Keong Hee’s Background
As a student, I never imagined I would one day become a full-time trader. I consistently excelled in my studies, particularly in mathematical subjects. In my A-level exams, I scored 7 distinctions, including 2 distinctions in Special Papers in Mathematics and Physics. In the engineering faculty of the National University of Singapore, I was ranked among the top 3% of my cohort, graduating with a First Class Honours degree. In the midst of my academic success, I was pridefully convinced that a high IQ was what it takes to be successful in life. As such, I went to sit for the Mensa IQ test, achieving a score of 156, which supposedly ranks me within the top 2% of the general population.
With optimistic naivete, I ventured into the corporate world, working in the investment profession. I worked hard to attain the much-sought-after CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) qualification, aspiring to be a top fund manager. As I witnessed the lay-offs in the midst of the economic downturn, I was brutally awakened to the harsh reality of life: I realised that my job really didn’t belong to me, and that it would likely be taken away from me someday when I became senior and “expensive” enough to be a natural “target” when it comes to retrenchments!
That realisation was what inspired me to develop the skill of trading for myself - a recession-proof skill that nobody can take away from me regardless of how bad the market crashes. In fact, trading forex has very often allowed me to make even more money during “bear” markets! It has enabled me to make more money than most of my peers, including those holding senior positions in major MNCs.
I do have a hard time explaining to people what my “job” or “occupation” really is. When I say, “I’m a full-time trader”, the immediate response is that I don’t have a secure job, and that what I do is too risky to be considered a reliable source of income! Ironically, I am convinced that what I do is far more secure than what they do! To me, risk comes from not knowing what you do. If you do not know what you are doing, investing in “blue-chip” stocks can be very risky; conversely, if you are well-versed in what you do, trading forex is not risky! The fact that it generates consistent and substantial income for me is proof that it is not risky for me. I believe it shouldn’t be risky if you are properly trained in developing this wonderful skill, which really belongs to you once you master it!
