The progress in the field of technology has given a significant boost to every Indian industry and Financial Technology is not far behind. The word Fintech, which is basically an amalgamation of finance and technology, has revolutionized the way financial services and operations are performed. As a result, this sector is currently filled with numerous job opportunities. However, like any other field, it is important first and foremost for the early career professionals to gain the clarity you need on in-demand roles, skills, hiring trends, and more to build a successful career in FinTech.

Roles in demand in Fintech

Early career opportunities in fintech span a wide range of functions, from product management, engineering, finance, data science and analytics, compliance, digital marketing, and security, says Siva Venkataraman, vice president of finance and human resources at PeepalCo.

Currently, he says, the most in-demand roles for entry-level professionals include SEO/social media analysts, digital marketing content writers, data analysts, junior product managers, and cybersecurity analysts.

“At Simpl, we continue to attract the industry’s top talent in Data Sciences, Back-end Engineers/Software Developers, MIS Analysts, Product Managers, Design and Marketing, among others,” says Simple Spokesman.

It is this close coordination between technology, non-technology, design and marketing roles that plays a critical role in creating solutions that meet the rapidly evolving needs of our retailers and consumers, they add.

Whereas, Vishal Pratapwant, Senior Vice President – Engineering and Transformation Group, Global Services, Accordion Servicesays roles in product development, product ownership, data science, automation, and cloud computing are seeing strong demand for early-career professionals. Additionally, expertise in Python programming, machine learning, cloud architecture, artificial intelligence, and data analytics is invaluable.

Skills needed to excel in these roles

In the rapidly evolving fintech industry, fresh graduates need to acquire a diverse set of skills that go beyond a degree, says Venkataraman. He says key skills include technical skills in software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity, as well as non-technical skills like financial literacy, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. From a checkout industry perspective, the Simpl spokesperson says they are looking for go-getters who are open to exploring new challenges, who are a good fit for the company culture, and who have adaptability and other soft skills, including communication. He further explains how the post-pandemic world operates under the BANI framework (‘fragile,’ ‘anxious,’ ‘non-linear,’ and ‘incomprehensible’) and as a result, the ability to adapt and iterate quickly is more critical than ever.

In addition to technical acumen, Pratapwant says soft skills like problem-solving, effective communication, and agility are essential for fresh graduates who aim to thrive in fintech. Leadership qualities are also crucial, especially the ability to lead with empathy and inclusivity.

Giving us a broader perspective on the skills required, Robin Bhowmik, Chief Business Officer, Manipal Academy at BFSI, says that among the various skills needed to succeed in a fintech career are coding skills (programming), working with datasets (data analytics), knowledge of cloud-based technology like Azure or AWS (cloud computing), AI training like TensorFlow or PyTorch (machine learning), distributed ledger systems like Ethereum ecosystem components like Solidity, Truffle Suite, etc.

Equally important are soft skills, such as communication, networking, human resources management, ethics, problem solving, teamwork, business acumen and compliance, he adds.

Courses to excel in these roles

There are various online and offline courses and programs available to help individuals specialize in fintech, says Venkataraman. He recommends ISB’s Fintech Leadership Programme, IIM Calcutta’s Executive Programme in FinTech, Banking & Applied Risk Management, IIM Lucknow’s Leadership in Fintech Programme, and BITS Pilani’s Masters in Fintech for interested individuals.

Moreover, in the current context where online education has removed all geographical barriers, he says many international universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, HKUST and Oxford, are offering fintech courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels, which Indian professionals can access anytime and from anywhere.

Positive Trends in Campus Hiring

In the current war for talent, campus hiring for entry-level jobs has mushroomed across all sectors, and fintech companies are also making the most of the available talent pool.

Digging deeper, Pratapwant explains how Fiserv taps promising young minds from top colleges in the country. “As part of our approach to building a diverse, high-performing and engaged associates team, we hire young graduates from top engineering colleges in the country. Our campus hiring initiative, Technology Analyst Program, provides recent engineering graduates with structured career development and upskilling opportunities.”

Additionally, the firm also offers development programs for the early-career professionals who work with them. YoPro, which is their Employee Resource Group for young professionals, emphasizes mentoring and personal growth while also nurturing the development of associates in the early stages of their careers, he adds.

Fintech companies are actively seeking fresh graduates with both technical and soft skills, Bhowmik confirms. As for the pay structure, he says the average pay for entry-level fintech roles varies depending on factors such as location, company size, and specific roles.

That said, he adds, pay can also be influenced by qualifications, level of experience or the ability to negotiate better terms for oneself based on the circumstances.

Freelance job opportunities in the sector

Today’s gig economy is experiencing significant growth, and as a result, freelance culture has permeated every other industry. But is fintech seeing the same thing?

In the fintech sector, where data security is paramount because sensitive financial information is handled, most roles are typically not open to part-time or freelance arrangements, Venkataraman says.

However, he argues, some junior/entry-level positions such as content writer (focused on financial literacy), SEO analyst, product analyst, and customer service specialist could represent opportunities where fintech companies could consider hiring freelancers.

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