After much contemplation of what would be my first writing in this blog, I finally decided to write about how I got into a career in finance as it is probably going to be the main theme for this blog, aside to other topics.
I have always been passionate about business and economics since I was in high school. I remember having researched about some of the world's most successful businessmen to find some inspiration.
So, when I graduated from high school and while waiting for my SPM results, I wrote an essay of about two pages long expressing my personal desire to pursue business/economics courses for my degree. I had this dream of working in the corporate world later on. But unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, I did not pursue economics but ended up pursuing a course in Islamic studies instead, despite it had never crossed my mind.
At first, I just went on and thought that I could gradually grow my passion and interest for Islamic studies and forget about economics eventually. I thought I was naïve. Apparently, I could not. At that time, the only career paths for Islamic studies' graduate that I could think of were a preacher, a school teacher, a university lecturer and a religious officer. None of them at the very least excite me. I could not imagine myself being in those professions, just because my interest and skills were not aligning towards it. And it was during that time, the thought of working in the financial sector came back to me. Therefore, I gave it a lot of thought in searching a way of getting into the financial sector with a degree in Islamic studies.
During the third year of my degree, I took a course in Islamic commercial law and got acquainted with Islamic finance (IF) industry. I figured out that, in Malaysia, Islamic finance is heavily regulated by the Central Bank of Malaysia to ensure all businesses and activities conducted by Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) strictly comply with Shariah (Islamic law) which underpins the industry. In doing so, the central bank requires all IFIs to employ certain number of people with Shariah qualification to work with them. When I found out about this, it was this moment when I thought that IF could be the door for me to enter into the financial sector and to finally realize my long time career dream. From thereon, I began reading and researching extensively on IF and planned my career pathway in IF.
Right after graduation, my first move was pursuing a Master degree in Islamic finance to strengthen my education background that would hopefully support my career plan. Secondly, my plan was to seek employment with any Islamic bank in the area that would fit my education background. My original plan was to start searching for a job only after graduating from Master so that I can fully focus on my study. However, due to an unexpected turn of events, I got acquainted with a friend and he had introduced me to a senior officer at an international Islamic bank who at that time was searching for a fresh graduate to be employed as a Management Trainee. I got called to the interview and got hired a month later as a Management Trainee at that bank.
My first step as a finance professional has officially begun from thereon. I could still remember that I was really nervous before my first day and began doubting myself whether I could survive in this career. It was not an unfounded doubt, I would say, taking into account that I had no prior education in finance and my English communication was very poor. I also did not have someone to consult before I started, hence, I was totally in the dark on what to expect. I literally on my own.
The first role given to me as a Management Trainee was in the area of Islamic banking compliance, which the responsibility was essentially to provide assurance that the bank's businesses and activities comply with the central bank's rules and regulations. It was the most appropriate role that could fit my education background at that time. But whether or not I like the role is a different story altogether which I don't intend to touch here. The most important thing, I already got my first step into this career path, which was very pertinent to my career plan because I hope it will open the doors to the place where I actually want to be in the future.
All in all, despite the journey into the career was a smooth one and truly an unexpected rizq from Allah, the journey in the career itself was not a smooth sailing. There were many ups and downs that I had to go through as someone who had just started with zero knowledge in finance. Nonetheless, I am beyond grateful, because despite the turbulences, I had many supportive colleagues that would help me to pull through. Their support and assistance have helped me tremendously in surviving this career.
And that's how my career in finance started. Nothing special, nothing fancy. I recorded it in here only for personal reflection, to count the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon me and to always be reminded that no matter how much difficulties that I face in life, it's going to turn out to be okay. InshaAllah.
At the time of this writing, I am only a few years in this career path and have since moved to another institution since the past three and half years. My role in the current workplace is not very much different since I first started, except the scope is expanded much broader and it is much more challenging in parallel with the nature of this institution as well as the evolution in the financial industry. Even so, I cannot say that I am fully satisfied with my career, because I am still falling short of achieving my goals. Honestly, I am still far from it. Until I get to it, I am definitely not going to stop as I have set a bigger plan for my career moving forward.
Based on this chapter of my life, I wish to draw some lessons that I learned for the benefit of readers, as follows:
1. Know your passion early on in life and be bold enough to pursue it, even to the point you're being a non-conformist to the conventional wisdom. Passion that is built upon extensive research and reflection would build a strong conviction and boldness for you to pursue it. Trust me, the regret of not pursuing your passion is too huge to bear when you actually had the opportunity to do so.
2. Seek advice from the right people. Age does not mirror maturity and wisdom. Just because someone is older than you, they do not necessarily have the best advice for you, especially when their personal aspirations are conflicting with yours. Know what you want to achieve and seek advice from the right people.
3. You own your life, therefore, you have all the right to set your life's direction. Don't let others do it for you. Life is too short for you to live the life upon someone else's aspirations.
I learned these lessons the hard way, but I hope you don't.
Thank you for reading.
