Finding my Path Beyond Finance

HAYAA TABBA

I've always felt a little lost with what direction I want to take in my career. As I walk around campus, I hear the same conversations: finance recruiting, investment banking, and the rigorous process of securing a summer analyst role. For a while, I thought everyone else was so far ahead while I lagged behind, overwhelmed and unsure. The intense focus on investment banking and finance left me feeling like I was missing something, that maybe I wasn’t cut out for this. But then I realized that I’m not limited to these paths; there’s a world of opportunities in business for women like me, and I don’t have to fit myself into a narrow box just because it's popular or seems secure.

Investment banking and finance are only one slice of the larger business world. Exploring options in marketing, sales, and operations opened my eyes to how diverse the landscape really is. In marketing, there’s an emphasis on creativity and understanding people — studying consumer psychology and analyzing how trends shape behavior. It’s about building narratives and promoting products in ways that connect on an emotional level. As someone who loves storytelling, I realized marketing could be an incredible fit for me, especially if I want a career that allows for both creativity and strategy.

Then there’s sales, a field that often doesn’t get the same attention but offers unique rewards. Sales demands interpersonal skills, negotiation, and the ability to read a room, which are powerful tools to have in any career. It’s also an area that can be incredibly empowering. Learning how to persuade, to be confident in a pitch, and to forge connections with clients from all walks of life is an invaluable skill set. Plus, success in sales is so tangible; you can see the direct impact of your work in the relationships you build and the targets you achieve.

Operations and supply chain management are other paths that offer a completely different skill set. These roles are crucial for making sure that businesses run smoothly and efficiently. While not as visible as the finance side, operations bring a strategic challenge in their own right. There’s a sense of satisfaction in creating streamlined processes, solving logistical challenges, and contributing to the organization in a way that’s often less spotlighted but just as impactful.

As I explored these paths, I began to understand that each area in business requires a unique blend of skills and offers its own learning opportunities. It also dawned on me that I don’t need to rush to find “the one” right now. Rather than stressing about being behind, I’ve decided to take the time to understand what I genuinely enjoy and where my strengths lie. The world of business is so much broader than I initially thought, and as a woman entering this field, I feel empowered knowing that I can forge my own path, whatever it may look like.