Satvik Gupta, the first person I’ve met over lunch on this mission, is a university student who’s already thinking and acting like someone years ahead of his time.
Satvik is currently completing a double degree in actuarial studies and finance at UNSW, but he’s already decided he doesn’t want to become an actuary. Instead, he’s set his sights on a different path; trading.
He told me that early on in his degree, he realised he was more drawn to the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of markets than the world of actuarial work. Rather than stick with his original plan out of inertia, he started testing other options, like internships and side projects, and noticed he kept gravitating back to trading. Because of this exploration, he was able to gain an internship working in sales at a major bank. That pivot, which many people might struggle with or delay, was something Satvik made with clarity and confidence.
Satvik now has a wealth of knowledge about trading and investment banking. Even though he’s still a student, Satvik explained concepts around mergers and acquisitions, asset classes, and even the intern culture at top investment banks with the ease of someone who’s lived through several cycles. He’s got a deep respect for how complex and competitive these industries are, but also a hunger to get in and make his mark.
He’s also refreshingly realistic: he knows the hours can be brutal, and the pressure intense. But he sees that as a price worth paying for doing something that energises him.
My main takeaway from our lunch?
Try many different options and take every opportunity presented to you, especially if there’s little downside, and don’t be afraid to choose another path.
Satvik could’ve stayed on the well-worn road of actuarial work, but he listened to himself instead. That willingness to pivot, and to be wrong in public while learning fast, will serve him well, in trading and in life.
Learn more about Satvik Gupta here.
