What a Director of Strategic Finance at Tala Wishes They Knew Before Entering Finance
Zu, a Director of Strategic Finance at Tala, wished they had known the "data heavy" nature of the role and the "scrappy" startup environment beforehand, contrasting their previous experience in structured banking with the ambiguity and excitement of a startup. The need for strong SQL skills was highlighted, although this proved less critical than initially anticipated.
Data Analysis, SQL, Startups, Financial Industry, Ambiguity
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Zu Daya
Director of Strategic Finance
Tala
University of Toronto
MBA, University of Toronto
Biology & Related Sciences, Economics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
International Student, Honors Student, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Data analysis skills are crucial in strategic finance roles, particularly proficiency in SQL.
2. Startups operate in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, which differs significantly from established corporations.
3. Ambiguity and a scrappy work style can add stress but also create excitement and opportunities for growth.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
I think I've said this before, or something similar. It would have been very beneficial to understand how data-heavy a role is. I would have loved to come in as a SQL Ninja, rather than having to learn to become one. And now I rarely use SQL.
That's definitely one thing. Another is understanding just how scrappy startups are. I came from four years in banking, working with public companies. Everything there has really good reporting and structure, even if it's old school.
We had really good tools and could find information instantly. Startups, even back in the day, were very scrappy. I love it, but there's some ambiguity to it, which makes the role exciting.
However, that ambiguity also adds a bit of stress and anxiety.