So, whats new in this blog. Its about my story, my experience, my adventure, my dream into the world of finance. "Finance and Me" , there should actually be a question mark at the end of the title, finance and me? are you sure, kidding? Hell, I am an Indian software engineer, I talk in codes far away from the world of bulls and bears, I barely manage my finances for the month, what made me really interested in that? To be true I always was intrigued by the Market, by the capacity of large firms to dominate over the future of a nation, the decision taken by Finance gurus which shapes the life of millions (and break some as well), how are companies funded, how are the shares and bonds and stocks estimated. I was always interested. Money - the factor which drives our life,how does it flow, how does the process work, who are the people who make the entire process work?
These questions can definitely be answered if I dive into the Finance Books, Blogs, and articles. But I really wanted to devote more time and attention to it. I wanted to learn about it. So I decided I will study finance. But it was not that simple. I studied automobile engineering in my bachelors, during my college days I was drawn to art and music, I shunned my studies and participated in other stuff which I thought would make me an artist or musician. The Final year of college, all my friends placed in big MNCs, and me no job offer, not a single canvas sold, not a single music contest won.....
Luck favoured, I got placed in a Software Company, which was relatively new in the market and was looking for okay profiles. That was a chance, an opportunity for me to spring back to my feet. And I didn't take it for granted. I forgot everything, and dived into the world of software codes, C, DS, Mainframes, I got thru the training, I learnt the languages, the company didn't downsize me during the training period. That made me stick to the company for next two years. But I was not really sure about my profession, I mean I loved software, I loved development, I loved the office location. But something was missing. The Life was missing. The eagerness to win, the fighting spirit, the power meetings, the supercharged strategies, the focussed involvement was missing. Adrenalin at work was missing. I knew these were for the leaders of the company, for the senior managers. Junior developers like me should just look at the requirements and code, and test, and report and get peanuts at the end of the month. I didn't want to happen with me. I had to work in a position where there will be challenges, real life decisions, business and energy.
I tried out several things in life. I worked in a call center for 4 months, I worked in the sourcing team of a Software company, I created my own StartUp, a network and advertising portal, which didnt do quite well, and also I painted and sang for a while. But to give up this job was one of the biggest decisions in my life. To be or not to be. Its a tough decision. From others' point of view I was doing quite well actually. But from my point of view, I was not. If I stuck there, I would be stuck forever. I will be underestimating and repenting forever. Someone told me, If you dont listen to your heart, you're doing a crime to yourself. So I took the decision. I will leave my job, and pursue what I always wanted. Study Business and Finance at a renowned University. But, thats not easy friend, people didn't take me seriously, they thought I was crazy to leave a well paid experienced job and do something new, when the technology sector is booming in India. My parents told, they wont be supporting me. But I stuck to my claim. Wrote the exams, got fairly good marks, applied to universities, send my documents. Wait...wait...first application rejected, second one rejected...third one..same....fourth...BOOM, got admission, The School of Business, University of Gothenburg, one of the largest in scandinavia. Subject MSc Finance, just the thing that I wanted. Next came the preparation for Visa and Bank loan. I met so many different kinds of people, I found so many loyal friends, so many thugs, made hundreds of phone calls but finally managed to put everything in place.
The Visa interview went well, but something went wrong, and they didnt issue it, I fought the verdict legally, resend the documents, proved my point and got it, but 2 months later the joining date. The student coordinator at the University was kind enough to allow me, but with a condition, I need to report within a week.
Again, its hurry time, I negotiated with the HR and managers and resigned within a day (something which is unheard of), packed my bags, got my visa stamped, purchased my ticket. All this was not easy. I worked in extreme south of the country, the embassy was on far north, my parents were in the east, I ran, changed flights, slept in public dorms, but finally managed to sit on the flight to Sweden.
And here I am now. Studying Finance, doing research, gathering knowledge. It is hard earned. I went thru tough times. But I strongly believe my relation with Finance will last long, really long. And someday my signature will say
Prithu Banerjee
CFO
:)
