From Computer Engineering to Finance: Why I Made the Switch
A Story About My Life in University (be prepared!)
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During my time in University, I often found myself wondering what I wanted out of a career. As a freshman, I initially thought of becoming a Software Developer. The starting salary is decent, the industry demand is high, people telling me IT is a growing industry, and I’m pretty good at coding too! It seems like a solid plan, right?
As trimesters flew by, a sudden thought began to surface: “At this rate, I’m really going to become a Software Developer. Is this what I really want?”
And the one question that just wouldn’t go away was: “Am I making the most out of my University life?”
This was after my first year at University, earning a spot on the Dean’s and Provost’s List. Studying nonstop wasn’t the kind of memory I wanted Cedric to take away from his University life.
That’s where it all begins…🦅
Planning to be a Financial Advisor
I wanted to try something different during my time as a student. My mom has been in the financial industry for over 30 years, and over time, we have had countless conversations about her work. It always sounded interesting, why not explore it for myself? I thought.
She recommended a few firms, and I went for some interviews just to see what it was like. Back then, accepting an offer to me was to be fully committed. There would be no turning back. I was stepping into a role where people would entrust their finances to my care.
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“At this rate, I’m really going to become a Financial Advisor. Is this what I really want?”
Not yet. There were still things I wanted to try.
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My Passion For Gaming
Gaming has always been one of my passions, especially competitive and strategy games. There were moments when I wondered: Could this actually become a career?
But another part of me felt that it was just a waste of time.
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What if my gameplay could be showcased on YouTube while playing?
Wouldn’t that be a win-win scenario?
That led to the launch of a YouTube channel in December 2023, and this was a post of me hitting 10 subscribers.
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With consistent uploads, the channel started to grow. Some of the videos even unexpectedly went viral.
However, the videos couldn’t be monetised due to YouTube’s strict criteria of reaching 10 million Shorts views within 90 days.
While content creation was something I genuinely wanted to explore, the idea of spending years glued to my phone, playing games and staying cooped up at home making videos, didn’t sit right with me.
Still, the journey was meaningful. Starting a YouTube channel taught me a lot, and it was an experience I truly enjoyed.
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Running an e-commerce Store
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Then came I running an e-commerce store…
A close friend once told me about someone who successfully ran an e-commerce store using a dropshipping model.
With some background in content creation from YouTube, it felt like something worth exploring.
Why not give it a shot?
Little did I know how tough it was going to be.
To show full commitment, I went ahead and registered a company—Jerryblends Pte Ltd.
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From graphic design, videography, web development, product planning to marketing were all handled solo. The problem was clear, there was no clear objective. Honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing. Juggling all of this as a full-time student became overwhelming.
Moreover, running an eCommerce store came with monthly costs: Services, products, and tools all added up.
Time wasn’t on my side. Without sufficient capital to move forward, stepping back became inevitable.
Still, the experience was far from a waste. It offered valuable insights into entrepreneurship, one of the biggest being that rushing the process only leads to burnout.
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Patience, as it turns out, is one of the most underrated ingredients for building something meaningful.
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Becoming a Financial Consultant
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The Final Decision
After experimenting with YouTube and eCommerce, I came to figure out that within me lies an entrepreneurial spirit. Those ventures also uncovered weaknesses and fears that needed to be addressed. Looking at the gaps within myself, financial consulting felt like the right path.
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Here are four key reasons why the decision to pursue financial consulting felt right:
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1. Building Genuine Human Connections
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As a freshman, I wanted to be a Software Developer, this would often mean long hours behind a screen. Similarly, running online ventures lacked something important: authentic human connection.
Looking back, it felt like a lot of those digital pursuits might have been a way to stay in a comfort zone and avoid the discomfort of social interaction.
Financial consulting, at least to me, felt like a way to step beyond that comfort zone. To build genuine connections and work through personal barriers like social awkwardness.
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2. Gaining Real Sales Experience
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Something that really stood out during the eCommerce journey was how important sales was. And not just selling but truly listening and helping real individuals. Financial consulting felt like a good place to work on that.
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3. Creating Meaningful Impact
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YouTube and Dropshipping were creative and exciting, but something felt incomplete. It didn’t feel like they were really making a difference in people’s lives.
Financial consulting, though, seems different to me. It’s about walking alongside people as they manage their finances, helping them plan ahead, and encouraging them to make decisions they’re confident in.
With that comes great responsibility, especially in an industry where trust is everything. Sadly, not everyone upholds that trust, and seeing that only fueled the desire to do better. Not just for clients, but for the industry as a whole.
Additionally, striving for excellence and doing things the right way makes the whole journey much more meaningful.
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4. Freedom to Lead and Create
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There’s something about independence that’s always been important to me, the freedom to bring ideas to life in a personal and creative way.
Financial consulting feels like it allows for that kind of flexibility. Every consultant has the option to shape how they want to approach their day. Honestly, even taking the step to write and share this blog post is something I never imagined myself doing.
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“At this rate, I’m really going to become a Financial Advisor. Is this what I really want?” This time, the answer is a clear and confident yes.
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And that is why Cedric made the switch from Computer Engineering to Finance.
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Writing this has been a meaningful experience, hope it resonated with you too.
Until next time!
Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek unbiased financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Published By:
Cedric Lim Jun Jie
Rooted in character growth, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships, Cedric Lim strives to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Every challenge he’s faced has strengthened his belief in living with honesty, integrity and striving for excellence.
Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Singapore Institute of Technology, Cedric took a leap of faith into the financial industry with Financial Alliance. He now applies his analytical and problem-solving skills to help clients simplify and take control of their financial lives.
How is Cedric the right choice?
He believes that the right advisor is someone who walks alongside his clients through every stage of life, not just today, but for the long haul. Financial planning is a lifelong partnership, and finding the right guide can make all the difference.
Cedric focuses on helping graduates and young professionals who are navigating similar stages of life, believing that shared experiences foster deeper understanding and greater trust.
His mission is to effectively help others reach their financial goals.
If you’re a young professional seeking financial guidance, Cedric’s confident that you are at the right place.
By transforming uncertainty into clarity, Cedric empowers his clients to take control of their financial future — minimizing stress and eliminating guesswork.
To find out more about Cedric, click HERE!
Drop me a text to schedule a one-to-one consultation session!
CONTACT US
- 150 Beach Road #12-01/08, Gateway West Singapore 189720
- +65 62221889
- +65 62221019
- feedback@fa.com.sg
