Controversial take from me. Also this was more in the context of legacy finance tech whereas you are in fintech.
I used to work in tech at an investment bank. When I first joined I was all starry eyed and eager to learn about the business, even to the point of trying to get a CFA (which some of my colleagues apparently had done).
Fast forward many years, I came to the conclusion that the limited time I had was best spent becoming a better technologist/engineer instead of a halfassed banker/trader/investment professional. Of course it’s still useful to know the basics of the industry and anything specific to your role, but beyond that the returns diminish sharply.
FWIW most of my engineer colleagues that spent all that grueling time and effort to get a CFA no longer work in the finance industry, so it’s arguably all down the toilet unless they ever go back. AFAIK none of them want to
I think this isn't controversial on the tech side, but on the business side it is absolutely 100% more important to deeply understand the business and build a meaningful, useful network than it is to half-ass your way on the tech side. As careers advance in business, doors to new opportunities open primarily based on one's reputation & network, so it pays dividends to focus on cultivating those starting as early as possible. "Managing up" should not be an epithet, but a way of life.
I used to work in tech at an investment bank. When I first joined I was all starry eyed and eager to learn about the business, even to the point of trying to get a CFA (which some of my colleagues apparently had done).
Fast forward many years, I came to the conclusion that the limited time I had was best spent becoming a better technologist/engineer instead of a halfassed banker/trader/investment professional. Of course it’s still useful to know the basics of the industry and anything specific to your role, but beyond that the returns diminish sharply.
FWIW most of my engineer colleagues that spent all that grueling time and effort to get a CFA no longer work in the finance industry, so it’s arguably all down the toilet unless they ever go back. AFAIK none of them want to