Transitioning from corporate to startup — I left a big four company to work at the world’s first cryptocurrency bank — Rafael’s Story
Deciding to change your working environment, especially from a prestigious and secure company, to a smaller startup is not a decision you make lightly. Taking that bold move into the unknown can often be risky, but luckily for Rafael, the decision to transition from a big four company to Bitwala has paid off.
Owning your projects, making a true difference and being part of a family-like culture are just some of the reasons why many professionals like Rafael are making the switch from corporate to startup life. More often than not, the rewards are higher than expected.
Before transitioning to Bitwala, Rafael was previously employed as a Senior Consultant for the banking digitalisation sector at Deloitte, consulting various traditional banks on how to best embrace the digital transformation.
He decided to spice up his career by joining Bitwala as a Banking Operations Manager.
Today, Rafael is responsible for developing efficient processes in Bitwala’s banking operation framework, analysing our banking data to further improve our products and establishing an efficient collaboration with our banking partner.
What made you switch over to Bitwala?
“I wanted to find a job as exciting and dynamic as consulting, within the financial industry, in a similar environment with high performing, friendly and open-minded people. I also sought a role where you have a higher stake in developing the product. Bitwala combines everything I want career-wise, offering me the possibility to stay in the city I was born in.
In the beginning, when considering this career change, I had a sense of insecurity, changing from a 3000 employee office to a 50-employee startup can be intimidating.
In a large company, I learnt the importance of processes but also about how complex these can become. During my time at Bitwala, I learnt how important great teams are and that even in smaller teams you can achieve incredible results.”
“Processes, Processes, Processes”
“On the banking operations side, I discovered that a crypto-bank like Bitwala has processes which conform to the banking standards. You need a proper process to provide a real access point to banking and cryptocurrency by incorporating the difference between the crypto and fiat system in your operations framework.
This is often very challenging as not many traditional banks offer cryptocurrency, so you often need to work with younger and smaller partners. My mission here at Bitwala is to establish a strong operations division that is akin to the standards of a traditional bank.
I have always thought about how a better monetary system would work and how we could create one. After consulting banks and acquiring knowledge, getting to work with cryptocurrency experts is helping me understand another type of monetary system.
Bitwala is combining these two worlds. For me, learning how these two can co-exist is a very valuable experience.”
For some, working in a Fortune 500 company can be the peak of any career. According to Glassdoor Awards, the most appealing employers in Germany are traditional enterprises such as SAP, Infineon Technologies and Bosch.
What does it mean to work for a startup?
- The phrase “that’s not my job” does not exist in the startup vocabulary.
Startups are an empowering environment where you can jump into different roles, own processes, drive change and use your creativity to solve problems.
2. The learning curve is steep but incredibly rewarding
There mostly won’t be prepaid training programs and seminars but you will learn on the job, with the business and within the industry.
You will learn a different approach to things by working closely with entrepreneurs using innovative work methodologies and cool technologies.
3. Your work will have a greater impact on the organisation
You and your work will be recognised (and your failures too!) The amount of ownership you need to manage is high and you will mostly need to work out solutions yourself.
However, when you succeed you will be able to look back and be proud of yourself.
We personally see this as one of the greatest motivation there is.
The process of understanding and choosing which environment fits best for your career progression is subjective and needs to be thought through carefully.
We see startups a unique experience per se, offering very unique types of rewards, instilling you with the value of hard work, ownership, respect and humility.
Make your bold move. Join the Bitwala family:
