We spoke with Master in Finance graduate Sebastián Oberti about his professional experience since graduation and how the skills he learned at EADA helped him out along the way. Sebastián is from Argentina and holds a bachelor’s in Finance and Accounting. He worked in PwC before coming to EADA, and is currently Financial Business Analyst at SeQura. SeQura provides e-retailers with a solution to reduce consumer thresholds, improving conversion rates and raising average basket sizes while securing certainty of payment.
We interviewed Sebastián as part of the launching of EADA’s new Master in FinTech & Business Anaytics.
What is the most exciting aspect of SeQura for you?
It is exciting to work in the new FinTech field of ‘Buy now pay later’ in today’s constantly changing economic environment. We are living through a revolution in the financial services sector, a revolution brought on by digitalisation and the new behaviour of the next generation of consumers. In this environment, SeQura positions itself as the preferred payment platform, breaking down the barriers that prevent consumers from accessing financial services. As Financial Business Analyst, I collaborate with the finance team, developing activities and projects directly with the CFO, the Corporate & Investor Relationship Manager and the Senior Controller.
In FinTech, we are constantly being challenged to adapt quickly and exploit every opportunity to gain a competitive advantage.
What is the most challenging part of your current position? And the most rewarding?
Although the vision, strategy and plan of action is clearly defined, in a sector like FinTech that is dynamic and agile, we are constantly being challenged to adapt quickly and exploit every opportunity to gain a competitive advantage. EADA provided me with the tools and skills to face these challenges in my day-to-day work and in long-term projects.
What drew you to the field of FinTech?
My belief in the need for constant innovation and my interest in applied technology in business drew me to the field. This led me to understand the difference between the products or services offered by a rigid system like traditional banking, and those offered by an agile company born from the era of tech and data.
I use what I learned at EADA every day. The soft skills that I developed at the Residential Training Campus are vital to my understanding of leadership, empathy and adaptation.
How do you think the field will evolve over the next few years? How do you keep up in a field that is constantly changing?
I think that there will be more changes in the next five years than we have seen over the last five years – so, we should all be getting ready for change. Just as in recent years, companies have been launched to satisfy emerging needs, in the future we will see even more new players. At EADA, we discussed how new FinTech companies would emerge to fill the gap in the financial services sector that is in a state of constantly changing hierarchies – some companies would be absorbed by the big players, some would become leaders in their field, and some would end up collaborating with the traditional finance and banking system.
To keep up on the latest in Fintech, I keep in regular contact with professionals and companies in the sector, attending virtual chats, reading constantly and developing my knowledge in areas like applied statistics and Artificial Intelligence. I believe that while today knowledge in these areas complements our work, very soon it will be considered one of the basic tools in our day-to-day tasks.
How do you use what you learned at EADA in your current position?
I use what I learned at EADA every day. The soft skills that I developed at the Residential Training Campus are vital to my understanding of leadership, empathy and adaptation, and I apply what I learned there regularly in meetings, negotiations, projects and work in teams. The technical knowledge in diverse areas of finance and my experience with the faculty at EADA also provide me with a clear added value in the company.
The changes are limitless and that there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone in the FinTech world of tomorrow.
What advice would you give to students interested in getting into FinTech?
To work in Fintech, you should be convinced that the financial sector is capable of positive change and be willing to accept change as the new normal. For this reason, it is important to be constantly training yourself in new areas, and to realise that with time, you will see the results of the changes that you were so sure were going to happen. You should be aware that the changes are limitless and that there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone in the FinTech world of tomorrow.