Getting comfortable with stepping out of my comfort zone: Working in Fintech

 I grew up and studied in Singapore (in both local and Indian education systems) for most of my life. Then I flew off to India at the age of 16 to complete 2 years of high school in Kolkata, and finally returned to Singapore to do my undergraduate degree in NUS. Being out of my comfort zone, adapting to new cultures and overcoming the odds has always been the norm for me.   

While majoring in Communications and New Media at NUS, I started unravelling my professional pursuit, which led me to do internships in a range of industries, from (Impact) Investment to Sports and Environmental. I also grew more interested in the role of technology in wellness, mental health, fashion, among many other fields. However, Fintech or cryptocurrency were still far-fetched areas for me.   

So, what led me to join Wirex? After 4 years of juggling academics with internships and facing many setbacks along the way, there was one thing I knew for sure. I knew I wanted to be part of an organisation that cultivates innovation, problem-solving and learning using a growth-mindset approach, one that empowers its employees to grow in a challenging space. That’s how I came across Wirex’s Marketing Graduate Program, which I have the honour to represent from the APAC market today. The cherry on the cake? I get to be part of a growing population of women in the cryptocurrency space, therefore breaking the gender-based stereotype that is often associated with the field.   

6 months into the graduate program, and I am glad I took this leap of faith. I get to work in a fast-paced environment with some of the smartest, most hard-working, kindest and fun team members across the UK and Asia. We launch various product features across markets and launch the brand from the group-up in new and emerging markets, with a focus on driving exponential growth for the business.   

Like most jobs, working for a fast-growing startup such as Wirex requires us to be resilient, detail-oriented, critical, data-driven and most importantly, have the hunger to learn about the ever-evolving and complex field of cryptocurrency, when collaborating on local and global-level campaigns.  

As I am writing this today, I am less than a week away from attending my university graduation ceremony (virtually) and also in the middle of planning the brand launch for an exciting market, while working from home. While change has been a constant especially during this unprecedented time, pushing the envelope, facing the odds and getting out of my comfort zone still remains in my DNA.   

I hope I can set an example for others who have had a rather unconventional journey and are contemplating their next move in life, irrespective of their gender, age or background. It becomes important to be open-minded when an opportunity presents itself to you, even if it’s not part of your ‘plan’. While making calculated decisions is vital, trusting your gut and aligning your actions with your value-system are equally important. At the end of the day, you make the most of your circumstances, which includes both the setbacks and the successes.  

To anyone who is reading this and has invested in my path in any small way, thank you, it really does take a village!