Abhinav Shanbhag: Finance with Purpose
As the current president of SCU’s MicroFinance Association, I help loan out zero-interest microfinance loans to rural entrepreneurs around the world, building my knowledge of the credit space while boosting financial inclusion in numerous countries. Many of the struggles of many entrepreneurs and families from impoverished communities face can be traced back to financial illiteracy; this leaves them vulnerable to predatory lending while utilizing ineffective methods to save and invest their earnings. Finding similar spaces that merge multiple passions of yours–finance and technology, or marketing and public health, for example–can help you find communities that align with your passions and interests.
I was first interested in the Wealth Management industry because it perfectly matched my dual social and analytical nature. I had the opportunity to invest in the success of hundreds of clients (making lifelong friends in the process) while thinking analytically about various investment vehicles in portfolio allocation. This industry enabled me to boost impact in the lives of clients–who have their financial dreams, families to support, and more–while developing a deeper understanding of diverse financial instruments.
A major interest of students living in the Bay Area is the intersection of business and technology (fintech, for example). However, a vast majority don’t know where to look for knowledge on the industry, or struggle with finding quality content in the swaths of information available online. As someone who struggled with this in my first year, I joined the Financial-Technology Student Association and decided to write blogs, as an analyst, explaining various current events and key terms in the industry. As students, we have limited time, and it’s crucial to pick and choose the right articles, websites, and podcasts that efficiently bring us accurate information. I hope to help SCU students utilize the FTSA as a resource in their endeavors to immerse themselves in the fintech industry. My advice for any underclassmen and incoming first-years is to think about problems the community faces, and how you can help solve them – ideally, merging this with topics you’re passionate about helps you find clubs that match your interests. If you believe that there are unsolved problems on campus that no one club addresses, you have the freedom to innovate and create your own (as many new clubs do every year). All the major clubs and organizations on campus once started as four or five students who wanted to innovate. Taking advantage of the resources offered while aiming to make campus a better place than when you first joined is crucial to finding your communities and industries you would want to work in. Take the time to explore and merge passions, find ways to drive impact in SCU or larger communities, and innovate consistently!