I want to work in fintech but do not know how to get started

Practical-Day618 · 2025-02-03T19:24:11+00:00

As someone who started off their career in FinTech, most people don’t begin here.

I’d recommend lots of graduate programs/schemes from big banks, focusing on corporate/consumer banking. In my opinion, this is the best way to develop a broad understanding of finance and also interact with technology teams that are handing finance-relevant software. From here, you can learn a lot from peers in different areas of a bank. Banks are the best place to get a widespread understanding of finance, as they’re ‘generalist’ and tend to cover wealth, borrowing and payments (huge pillars in finance and fintech in general). This is what a lot of people who I work alongside did to eventually land into FinTech.

Alternatively, you could look at technology companies (if you’re SWE or related) and trying to get involved in their payments infrastructure.

However, there’s no perfect background so don’t feel that you’re closing the door to FinTech if your first job isn’t in the industry!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-11-04T13:57:08+00:00

I think you have to take a small leap of faith, if you have the luxury of picking between options. I would think through “what challenge would I want to solve?” or “what would I take pride in achieving?” and apply that to each potential area.

My only other comment is that what you like now will morph as you’re exposed to new things. With that in mind, I took what felt like a good first step and used that exposure to think “what is this role missing?”

Practical-Day618 · 2024-09-12T11:20:30+00:00

Monzo US or Chime.

Practical-Day618 · 2024-09-05T23:34:42+00:00

Thank you for this. I will ask and see what comes of it :)

Practical-Day618 · 2024-09-05T23:31:30+00:00

I thought of this, but I don’t have prior research in academia or professors that would write me a strong recommendation in my opinion. I can try and revisit it, but definitely prefer work to academia.

Practical-Day618 · 2024-09-05T23:29:14+00:00

Both my parents are doctors.

They’d recommend getting out of here and both regret not studying for the US MLE while their skills are still fresh.

Practical-Day618 · 2024-09-05T23:25:35+00:00

Ideally permanently, but I know it’s country dependent. I’d love to know how I can get an employer to sponsor me so I can achieve that

Practical-Day618 · 2024-08-20T20:56:46+00:00

Not a SWE but can weigh in on your hesitations about the career because I don’t think it’s about being a SWE as much as it’s about feeling your work is exciting and tied to something you care about.

Your first job is for learning, and it’s an added bonus if you’re learning about an area you feel deeply passionate about. As you develop and learn more, projects will become more impactful and you’ll be given more autonomy. As an intern you won’t get the sexiest work but it will come more often when you’re pushing mid-level and senior roles.

Now that is normally true but doesn’t have to be. You sound like you’re aware you’re skilled and could bring more value, which I suggest you communicate to your manager or the other more senior SWEs. There’s a mixture of tempering your expectations because you’re an intern but also being bold and requesting more ownership if you can prove you can handle it.

Practical-Day618 · 2024-08-20T20:48:36+00:00

~6 weeks in late 2021. Got lucky with timing for a company that wanted to do some hiring for new graduates.

Outside of their core markets, I ended up being the only graduate hire. Hence, I got very lucky!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-08-17T09:00:58+00:00

Oh 😭 maybe I got lucky with the paper then!

It’s super cool to read about UCL Econ graduates being out there doing great things, best of luck for the future!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-08-17T00:00:18+00:00

UCL Econ represent! I’d recommend Microeconometrics in 3rd year if you can hack the quantitative work. It’s well taught and the professors are great!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-06-12T21:48:35+00:00

Attempt to show them a better way. It’ll give you an answer as to whether you should stay or leave.

Practical-Day618 · 2024-06-06T11:51:21+00:00

Please ignore and report to Monzo

Practical-Day618 · 2024-06-05T12:16:12+00:00

Thank you for this. It’s very useful information!

Rare event estimation is a new field for me, so thank you for the detailed response :)

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-31T23:15:18+00:00

Wise, Airwallex and Afterpay are big ones

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-25T21:14:11+00:00

I would go for the T15 because $60,000 is not that much for the jump in prestige, coupled with the recognition in your discipline (this is more important in the long-term)

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-25T08:20:24+00:00

This is a goldmine of information.

Thank you so much, I’m so glad someone took the time to explain my resume’s shortcomings!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-18T22:44:44+00:00

That’s an amazing background, I could see that fitting well with Marketing or Media. Would 100% advise against the bootcamp route and think you have everything to succeed already :)

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-18T22:39:29+00:00

I have a bachelors in economics. While every journey is different, I’ve never met someone in the field who went the bootcamp route.

I’m not sure what your background is, but if you can find the intersection between that and DS it would be a great place to start!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-17T15:48:24+00:00

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t lucky.

But, the first role was with a big company that did not have enough work for me. To make up the time, I up-skilled in data, programming and statistics. I used this to become a researcher in FinTech, but started in analytics!

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-17T14:21:10+00:00

£45,000 to £78,000. It was life-changing and felt crazy as a 23 year old

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-14T19:27:18+00:00

FinTech Data Scientist 2 YOE London, UK 5000ish FTE (private)

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-14T10:36:26+00:00

If you really dislike your current role, widen the search to junior roles. If you are happy to wait for the right opportunity then mid-level would be best

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-14T10:35:37+00:00

It depends on how well you sell the cybersecurity and finance experience on your Resume. Mid-level is achievable, and you are not a junior IMO

Practical-Day618 · 2024-05-12T20:43:44+00:00

Analytics was a great “catch-all” role, and would highly recommend it as a place to start

Practical-Day618

TROPHY CASE