How My View of Finance Changed in One Year

Rawwaf Altuwirji - MALTECH

 When I first got into finance, my view was simple: get the top internships, pass the hardest certifications, land a high-paying job. The industry seemed like a race and I wanted to win. Investment banking felt like the finish line. CFA Level 1 felt like a badge of seriousness. Everything else was noise.

I thought the fastest way in was the best way in.

What Changed

Over time, and after some cosiderations, late nights, and a lot of reading. that mindset started to shift. Not because finance got less appealing, but because I began to understand how big and layered the industry really is.

Finance isn’t just IB and private equity. It’s asset management, risk, strategy, operations, quant, research, fintech, development finance, and everything in between. Some of the most impactful roles aren’t even the most visible ones.

I stopped seeing the field as one narrow ladder and started seeing it as a map.

What I Learned

• You don’t need to rush everything.
  There’s a difference between urgency and pressure. Building a strong career doesn’t have to happen in one year or with one internship.

• Certifications help, but they aren’t magic.
  they add value, but they’re not golden tickets. Context matters. So does timing.

• LinkedIn is not real life.
  It’s helpful. But if you scroll too long, you’ll start confusing other people’s progress for your own goals.

• Interest matters more than image.
  I started caring less about what looked impressive and more about what actually made sense to me  markets, investment research, macro strategy, and data.

What Still Stays the Same

I still want a career in finance. I still aim high. But I’m clearer now on what that means. It’s not about chasing names it’s about finding the right fit, building real skills, and being consistent.

The biggest shift was internal. I’m not trying to prove I belong. I’m trying to learn enough to actually contribute when I get there.