In this month’s Employee Spotlight feature, and the last one of 2021, we’d like you to meet Anek Grewal, the Operations Support Representative on our Client Experience (CX) team. Anek brings an extensive background in business development and customer success, with key specializations including project scoping, business and financial analysis, and relationship management. As a valued member of the CX team, Anek helps provide our Tier 1 bank clients with comprehensive technical support and has quickly become a fundamental part of the client onboarding and education process.
Anek holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, and a Masters in Economics from the University of San Francisco.
Get to know Anek, his aspirations at and beyond FISPAN, and how the emerging sector of FinTech allowed him to pursue a career in banking.
Anek and a friend dress to impress for Casino Royale at FISPAN's 2021 holiday party.
Why did you choose a career in FinTech?
With my educational background heavily involving Economics, I was always fascinated with the financial world — particularly in banking. After completing my postgraduate studies in San Francisco, I realized that the traditional route to employment in the banking sector proved to be tricky. But then FinTech became a thing.
The emerging sector of FinTech has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the financial world (and beyond), and there are many jobs available now that did not exist ten to 15 years ago. As a result, FinTech has not only allowed me to find a career in the banking sector like I have always wanted, but I am now also able to pursue many new opportunities I never considered before.
What attracted you to joining the team at FISPAN?
When I applied to FISPAN, I was not only getting the chance to join a fast-paced startup, but also a company that had already developed strong foundations in its roots and business model, and would be able to provide me with the ability to forge my career as I saw fit. Additionally, FISPAN’s company culture, combined with the hard work and drive displayed by its employees, made this an opportunity I knew I could not turn down.
What is your favourite part about your job?
I really enjoy the fact that no two days are the same. Being a part of the CX team means I’m able to tackle any technical issues that arise from customer support tickets, as well as host client calls with various stakeholders on the training, installation, and/or support of our product. My role comes with a lot of different moving pieces, so it’s been really nice that there is always something new to learn each day.
Have there been any challenges to working remotely?
The biggest challenge with remote work has been the inability to be around my coworkers from both a social and learning perspective. The lack of physical presence can sometimes make it hard to engage in conversations that would be much easier in person. Similarly, working remotely removes a lot of the hands-on learning that you’d get from being with other employees.
Having the technology available, like Zoom meetings and messaging platforms like Slack, definitely help mitigate the issue, but nothing compares with being in the office.
Man's best friend(s): Anek's trio of dogs, Kobe, Kaya, and Toto.
Has the pandemic affected your work life at all? If so, how?
I’d say that the pandemic opened the door to the risk of burnout like never before. When you’re working from home, it’s easy to develop a lack of separation between the office and your home life, and as a result, work for longer hours than you even realize. I feel as though I have been able to maintain this balance pretty well, but it’s definitely not something that’s sustainable for long periods of time, especially with its effect on mental health.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Promise less and do more.
What are your career aspirations?
I want to build a career that will allow me to leave a mark in the company and industry I’m in. When I think about working at FISPAN, I look at it as if I am representing two brands: the first being FISPAN as a company itself, and the second being myself — which is demonstrated through the quality and commitment of my work.
My ultimate goal is to forge a career path that will allow me to become a C-Level Executive where I know I can make a real difference, both in the organization and in the world.
What are your passions and interests outside of work?
Beyond the work I do at FISPAN, I enjoy spending time with my friends, playing sports, and spending time with my dogs, Kobe, Kaya, and Toto. Since making the move from the UK to Vancouver during the past year, I’ve mainly been working towards making new friends and enjoying all the city has to offer. I also have a list of podcasts and stand-up comedians that I follow on a regular basis!
What is your favourite quote?
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
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We invite you to get to know Anek further by checking out his LinkedIn and exploring the many career opportunities we have here at FISPAN for anyone looking to start their career in FinTech.
