The Switch from Finance to Tech

In October of 2018, I made the switch out of finance to the tech industry. Prior to that I was a Wealth Management Advisor and Analyst. Now, I am a Data/Business Analyst at a SaaS (Software as a Service) company.

I was always curious about the tech industry and growing up in the Silicon Valley, it made some sense to venture into the industry. A main factor on making the switch was the difference in culture. People in tech just seemed to enjoy life. I’m not talking about the people only on top, but most of everyone, no matter the position. That appealed to me because this is unheard of in finance.

Tech is not easier than finance. If anything, I think it is harder. Do not get me wrong finance is difficult. From being accepted into a good school, to getting a great job, and the work after you get hired. However, I think because of the facts around finance, tech is more difficult. In tech, it is more about what you know compared to who you know. In finance and business, it is the opposite. Who you know, where you went to school, who your parents are, how much wealth is in your family, and what your parents do, have enormous impact on your success in finance. Those factors outweigh what you know.

I worked with many of these privileged kids in finance. The work ethic and hustle wasn’t there. These kids knew they had it made and their parents have bought them a spot in the big leagues. It was something I despised. People who have the intelligence and the work ethic deserved those spots, not the privileged kids.

This set me apart from many of those around me while I was at the firm. There was only a handful of us that got the job on our own merit.

Aside from the culture, I didn’t like the sales aspect of my role. I wanted a more analytical role, but I was not able to get that at the firm. In addition, I was always intrigued by tech and coding. I firmly believed things like Wealth Management can become obsolete because of technology.

I am still a firm believer that computer science, coding, and technology is the future. I wanted to learn more about this industry and what it has to offer. In October 2018, I made the leap and started a new career in the tech industry.

 

Trip to the Motherland (South Korea)

For those who do not know, I am of South Korean descent. I was born in South Korea, and have only been there once when I was 2-3 years old.

I recently went back on a vacation trip. I always wanted to go back and see the place of my roots. The trip was eye-opening for me and I loved it. It was a learning experience as well. The culture is massively different from what I am used to here in the Bay Area and in America in general. Honestly, I think it is better for the most part. There are a few acceptable norms there that I do not agree with, but the pros outweigh the cons.

The few norms that I do not agree with are the amount of smoking, spitting, definition of beauty, and the need to be nice and respectful to the elderly (let me explain).

• People are smoking everywhere is South Korea. It is generally not allowed in the subways, subway stations, and inside public areas. There are designated areas as these locations for smokers. However, it is allowed freely outside. The amount of second-hand smoke I inhaled in certain areas remind me of a casino.
• Hock/Hocking is also very common. It is mostly the older generation, but they do not care where they do it. Don’t get me wrong. South Korea is very clean. Only beat by Japan and Singapore, I think. However, some people feel the need to hock and spit everywhere. I felt that most of the time it was unnecessary and gross. I understand that once in a while people do it if they feel super congested or need to clear their nasal congestion, but the amount of times some of these people did it was not for that purpose. Or if so, they could have done it privately or in the bathroom.
• The definition of beauty in South Korea is very odd. It is known as the plastic surgery capital of the world because of how many people get eyelid surgery there. However, as for full on plastic surgery, I think rich women in America (especially the Tri-Valley, Beverley Hills, and rich parts of New York) have them beat. People in South Korea think whiter skins means beauty. A lot of makeup and even sunblock have whitening agents in them. I bought sunblock with whitening agents unknowingly. I threw it away immediately after I found out. I think it is a shame that whiter skin is a beauty standard in South Korea. They probably think the same for America with tanning. I think artificially whiter skin is ugly, disgusting, and a disgrace.
• The norm in South Korea, as with most Asian countries, is to treat all elders with respect. However, I think some elderly take advantage of it. I’ve seen the elderly cut in line, complain for nothing, bitch to innocent people, and treat people with disrespect. In America, that wouldn’t stand. I believe America has the opposite problem, not enough respect for elders. But in South Korea, most of the people just take it and move on. I can try to understand the troubles some of the elderly can go through, but that usually is not reason enough for what I have seen.

 

Then there are norms I completely agree with and that America should implement.

• The punctuality of the people and services were amazing! When they say you are leaving on a specific time, they mean it. They do not leave early, and they do not leave late. In addition, people may come early, but they do not arrive late. Being late is viewed as extremely disrespectful and disgraceful to yourself.
• One of the best things about South Korea is the public transportation. I can go on and on about this one. All public transportation can be done on a card called a TMoney Card. It is available at all convenience stores, the airport, and most subway stations. You can purchase tickets as well, but I didn’t see anyone but tourists doing that. You load money on your TMoney Card and use it as a debit card for public transportation. The nice thing is if you use a TMoney Card, all public transportation has a reduced fair! In addition, most convenience stores accept it as payment as well. There is at least one convenience store at each subway station. As for itself, the subway is the main public transportation that people take. It is fast, efficient, and on time. They are clean, have a/c, have police on them that really do their job, and do not permit homeless to sleep on them (however, there are some in the subway stations themselves). It is run so efficiently that, on the main lines, a train comes every 3-5 minutes!
• Convenience stores in South Korea make the ones in America look like shit. I can’t even begin to describe the difference without seeming like a complete asshole. I’ll go over some of the main points: food tastes great, there are places to sit and eat inside them, selection and quality of food, politeness of the employees, prices, and all serve alcohol (this last point probably isn’t possible in America due to American culture and standards).
• Culture in South Korea is one of respect. Anyone and everyone you speak to addresses you in a respectful manner. People there take responsibilities of their actions and are willing to do something extra to be helpful. There are exceptions, but this is the social norm. It is instilled in children at a young age. Those who do wrong are looked down upon, saw as an outcast, and punished accordingly. This may be the reason why crime is so low in South Korea and why it is considered one of the safest countries in the world.
• Food delivery is stuff of dreams here! Anyone and everyone delivers food! And not only to homes or businesses. They deliver to parks, street corners, hotels, and just about anywhere else you can give them a location to. Everyone from fast food franchises to “mom and pop” restaurants do this.

 

PICTURES COMING SOON!