Top Careers in Digital Finance, Consulting & Platform Businesses

Vijaya Bhaskhar Marisetty, Dean, Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam, in an interaction with Higher Education Review, shared his views on the future of careers in digital finance and underscored the critical need to combine financial knowledge with technology in a world where business is driven by AI. He stressed the need for students to build competencies in areas such as APIs, blockchain, cloud computing, and data analytics, while also building robust domain knowledge of financial services. Vijaya Bhaskhar stated that experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, live projects, hackathons, and global programs, are critical to preparing students to address real-world challenges and thrive in a rapidly evolving and technology-enabled financial ecosystem.

With extensive academic and research experience, Vijaya Bhaskhar Marisetty is embracing financial inclusion and adopting fintech interventional strategies for the community development of marginalized citizens in India. His research incorporates blockchain and fintech initiatives aimed at smallholder farmers to improve value chain benefits. Additionally, he is a visiting professor at ISB Hyderabad and consults on blockchain and digital transformation work with Dlabs ISB, GAIN, World Bank.

What core skills do students need to build successful careers in digital finance and consulting in the AI driven business era?

Today, digital finance demands expertise in both technology and finance. The finance sector is increasingly reliant on technology, highlighting the necessity for professionals to develop expertise in fields such as APIs, cloud computing, data sharing, portability, and data security. In addition to technical expertise, domain knowledge is equally important. Students should know about the financial services operations, the functions they perform, and the products they offer. Also it is equally important to understand how programming works and have basics of coding knowledge.

In addition to programming knowledge, students should also be familiar with new technologies such as Web3, blockchain, APIs, and data portability. These technology-based skills are vital to success in digital finance. In addition to those skills, financial domain expertise is crucial to understand how banking systems functions, the role of regulations, the operations of non-banking financial companies, and the mechanics of financial products and services. The skills required for digital finance professionals lie at the intersection of technology and finance. The integration of technical familiarity and applied finance domain knowledge will equip students to succeed in this growing field.

How can management graduates leverage certifications, internships, and global programs to stand out in the fintech and consulting job markets?

Management students who are aspiring to pursue a career in the fintech industry must have solid understanding of how technology works. Students can also take certification courses in fintech related modules. With the rollout of the NEP in India, and online courses offered by some of the best universities across the world, students can enroll in these programs and preferably work as part of a live project with clients. Even otherwise, students need to know how they can participate in fintech innovation as part of a remote team. Many startup companies are innovating in the fintech space, and students can gain valuable exposure to their activities.

What role do data analytics, blockchain and cloud platforms play in shaping future-ready careers in digital finance?

Understanding how hardware functions, the required bandwidth, API interoperability, and the instruments used to minimize issues, as well as data security requirements and associated tools, is becoming increasingly critical in finance. Although AI has made a lot of progress in its analytical abilities, students should begin to focus on the fundamental technologies.

Most importantly, students should cultivate excellent critical thinking skills. FinTech distinctly encompasses the recognition of financial services pain points and using technology to address those problems. Furthermore, knowledge of blockchain technology is essential. In addition, students should become familiar with AI, particularly prompt engineering, the process of embedding AI into their technological architectures. These skills will represent the foundational competencies for success in the evolving FinTech ecosystem.

How can students use case competitions, live projects and startup incubators to gain hands-on exposure to platform-driven business models?

Participating in hackathons is crucial for students to gain experience. Engaging with innovative sandboxes, such as the Reserve Bank Incubation Hub (RBIH) will provide students with exposure to productive projects happening in the fintech ecosystem. The start-ups within these sandboxes are influencing the future of innovation and also aiding in the development of regulations and the operation of markets. As a result, participating in these activities, students gain perspectives on the real-world interplay between technology and regulation. Participating in hackathons provides the opportunity for students to understand problem statements, think critically, and devise effective responses.

What global career opportunities are emerging in digital finance and consulting and how can students tap into them early?

Finance is one of the largest sectors worldwide, with assets under management greater than $80-90 trillion. It is the biggest structured employer globally and offers numerous opportunities. These opportunities are expected to grow enormously, due to technology’s increasing role in making financial services more widely accessible.

Technological advances have played a critical role in increasing financial inclusion in India, particularly in lending technologies and wealth management services. BlackRock estimates the asset management industry in India will grow from about $900 billion to $3 trillion by 2030. This growth will require more labor, renewing the prospects of wealth management. Likewise, India’s retail insurance sector now encompasses under two percent of the population, with technology set to be vital in broadening its accessibility.

Paytech is already having an impact, and innovations in data portability have brought finance into a single ecosystem named open finance, thereby bridging disjointed entities such as banking, insurance and wealth management. The finance industry in India has high potential, and technology will continue to broaden its scope and reach. The country’s large population, together with more opportunities, makes it essential for students to learn finance as a key area of career development.