| THE FUTURE OF FINTECH YOU NeeD TO KNOW


“The technology fi eld is full of people who learn to do a particular job or skill like coding a certain way, and that’s the way they like to do it. It can be hard to break people out of what they believe in and get them to approach problems a different way. Being open to adjusting is key because adjusting is quite common in the FINTECH industry.”


So Where Are the Jobs?


When it comes to technology hubs in North America, obvious frontrunners such as New York and San Francisco stand as cities with substantial activity. According to a recent Deloitte report, these cities also have prominent standings in FINTECH rankings. Other noted cities include Chicago, Toronto, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, DC, and Miami all have established FINTECH networks that house both older and up-and- coming FINTECH startups. But before fi nally considering where you want to pursue your career in FINTECH, Kellee suggests you also consider who will be working alongside you.


“I think it’s good to focus on the people you want to work with,” she explained. “If you get your dream job, that is wonderful. But I always take pride in the ability to learn and contribute, no matter where I am. I would recommend new professionals look for mentors they can learn from and people who will nurture their abilities.


“The things that can’t be taught in a book or learned online are key to differentiation. It’s not enough to be someone who wants to make a difference; you have to be at a place that will let you make a difference.”


How Do I Prepare for a FINTECH Career?


So what should you be doing now to get a head start on your career in the fi nancial technology industry? Kellee


www.hispanicengineer.com


has several suggestions, starting with organizing a portfolio of your innovative work.


“Even if you don’t plan to be an entrepreneur or launch your own company, you should create your own portfolio of work done outside of the classroom. This can be impressive to employers, and it’s a chance to put all your learning into practice. It’s also a chance to be of practical value to skills development within the company.


technologies, and skill sets you’ll have to master in your early career.”


Another preparation tip Kellee suggests is to build solid networks of professional peers.


“Network, network, network! It is so important to do this in meaningful ways. Be mindful to build strong relationships with your peers. They will be the people you work with in the future. Also, be persistent! I’ve met lots of smart people with great ideas, but it’s the ones that can see through an effort to its conclusion and learn from it that seem to be the most successful.”


Getting Your FINTECH Job There are several enrichment opportunities available for anyone who is serious about obtaining a career in fi nancial technology. Kellee suggests applying for fellowships.


“As an employer, I always love technologists who come into the company with all sorts of side projects in their portfolios. Even if the project didn’t work, the fact that they wanted to try to innovate some idea or application puts natural curiosity on display. That is major for a career in FINTECH. It shows that they’re trying to make things better. ‘Here’s what I was trying to do with it. It didn’t actually solve the problem, but here’s what I learned.’ Students who want to be successful in FINTECH should naturally ask themselves, ‘Is there something I can do, build, or change that will fi x this [problem]?’


“It’s also very important,” Kellee added, “to make sure you learn how to learn. It will make it easier to handle the inevitable new requirements,


“On-the-job training should be a given, but I’m also a big believer in fellowships,” Kellee said. “Fellowships were a tool for me to build my network. They helped me form relationships that went deeper than exchanging business cards.


“Whatever community you’re involved in has a fellowship. Search professional newsletters. Get plugged into those networks. Sign up for their news alerts. Attend events and conferences in your fi eld related to IT or technology. Listen to speakers on campus.”


The FINTECH landscape is a broad, open canvas for students focusing on IT studies. Specifi c paths and opportunities will vary by profession, but one thing is for sure: The future in the fi nancial sector is bright for graduating STEM students. HE 


by Terrence Dove | editors@ccgmag.com HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2018 43


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