Fintech v. Traditional Finance?
What's up Chimps,
Background:
I just started an entry-level role at a fintech company that serves as a secure go-between for merchants, consumers, acquirers, and our sponsored BBs. I'm in the first weeks of training, but the work itself seems super interesting (lots of risk mgmt/analysis, regulatory research, fraud investigation, and financial analysis down the line).
Before starting, I just saw it as a good way to accentuate my schooling (currently studying Data Analytics at Penn). Now, however, I could actually see myself sticking around after finishing my degree. The company has grown from 30 to 100 people in two years (they waited to do a cap raise, so sat at 20-30 peeps for a while).
Sure, the pay won't be insane from day 1, but that's fine because they're NYC-based but are staying remote, so COL isn't an issue. The role I'm in (CX) would give me a comprehensive look into our products, procedures, client needs, etc., and would give me a level of subject-matter expertise over transactions, credit utilization, risk analysis, and card-issuing processes. When coupled with my Data Analytics education, I would be on track to become a finance data analyst, risk analyst, ops research, or treasury analyst in a couple of years. I'd be at 80k-100k starting in those areas here, which is much lower than IB, but the benefits include 40 hour weeks, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm workdays, unlimited PTO/sick leave/etc., equity in the company (that still has a lot of room to grow). Not to mention that they just rebranded their enterprise product this year, so there is a great deal of opportunity to show out and help drive value in a real way as they build that wing out. Big perk: All business is inbound and organic (haven't spent a dime on marketing in two years), and they're revenue positive, which in my eyes meant stability. The CEO is also very pragmatic, respectful, receptive, and transparent.
That being said:
If you all had to go back and do it all over again, which would you choose? The opportunity that will take a couple of years to pay off career-wise, but has a great team, great learning opps, and decent pay? Or would you still gun for an IB/HF/PE internship, then try to crank out your 1-2 years in that realm before seeking another exit opp?
Would love to get your input!
Nam qui dolor ut est ea. A ut est voluptate ducimus nobis quasi fugiat laudantium. Veritatis incidunt quis alias illum.
Repellendus ipsa nihil officia vel inventore sed qui sit. Libero sit eum et eaque alias molestiae. Itaque dolorum et sed maiores harum impedit reiciendis. Minus veritatis ut recusandae suscipit beatae.
Dignissimos fugit omnis facere sint a. Id blanditiis consectetur ut voluptatem ad laboriosam. Sunt consectetur dolores magni dolorem. Omnis vero nemo impedit impedit. Et voluptatem qui vel similique possimus in. Et ut quo et voluptate. Commodi dolorum quia quos eligendi tempore.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...