Episode 6: Canadian Career Stories.

Summary

Daniel, a finance professional from Toronto, shares his career journey from a corporate development role in consumer goods to a real estate investment fund and now a tech startup in Calgary. He emphasizes the importance of having a genuine passion for finance and staying updated with market trends. Daniel's goal is to create a successful Canadian startup and eventually become an entrepreneur, using his current experiences to build a strong foundation for his future ventures. He advises aspiring finance professionals to have a compelling personal story and to network effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Daniel's name is mentioned, and he expresses pleasure in meeting the interviewer.
• 🏢 Daniel has a background in finance and has worked in real estate investment funds and a tech startup in Toronto and Calgary.
• 💼 His first job was in a strategy and corporate development role in the consumer goods sector after completing his finance studies.
• 🎓 Daniel chose finance as a career due to his interest in numbers, investments, and the tangible aspects of the market.
• 🔍 He values the analytical background and the ownership environment of startups, combining the best of both worlds.
• 🚀 Daniel's advice for those starting in finance is to have an authentic story and a personal interest in the field, differentiating oneself from the competition.
• 📰 Staying up-to-date with current events and news is crucial to show genuine interest and knowledge in the finance industry.
• 🎯 Daniel's short-term career goal is to see where his startup journey leads and contribute to making it a Canadian success story.
• 🌟 In the long term, Daniel aspires to be an entrepreneur, using the knowledge and experience gained to eventually start his own venture.
• 🤝 Daniel emphasizes the importance of mentorship and industry connections in building a strong foundation for his career.
• 🔗 For professional networking, Daniel suggests connecting with him on LinkedIn, where he can be found under his full name, Daniel Goob.

Q & A

What is Daniel's current profession?

Daniel has a finance background and is currently working at a tech startup after moving from a real estate investment fund in Toronto.

What was Daniel's first job after school?

Daniel's first job was in a strategy and corporate development role in the consumer goods space.

Why did Daniel choose a career in finance?

Daniel chose finance because he liked numbers, tangible things, and investing. He also had a personal interest in the markets and found it different from what his family did.

What does Daniel appreciate about working in a startup environment?

Daniel appreciates the startup environment for the opportunity to build something special and the sense of ownership it brings, combining the best of corporate and entrepreneurial worlds.

What advice does Daniel have for those starting in finance?

Daniel advises having an authentic story and personal attachment to finance, staying up-to-date with current events and news, and showing genuine interest beyond just checking a job box.

What are Daniel's short-term career goals?

Daniel's short-term goals are to see where his startup adventure goes and to contribute to making it an exciting Canadian success story.

What are Daniel's long-term career aspirations?

Daniel's long-term aspiration is to be an entrepreneur, using the skills and experiences gained in his current roles to eventually start his own venture.

How does Daniel view the importance of mentorship in his career?

Daniel considers mentorship invaluable, especially in his foundational years, as it provides guidance and learning opportunities that are crucial for career growth.

How can people get in touch with Daniel professionally?

People can connect with Daniel professionally through LinkedIn, where he can be found under his name Daniel Goob.

What is unique about Daniel's last name?

Daniel's last name, Goob, is a bit longer and unique, which he mentions might make him somewhat easy to find on LinkedIn.

What is the significance of the city of Calgary in Daniel's career?

Calgary is significant as it is the location where Daniel is currently building his career, particularly focusing on contributing to the success of the tech startup he is part of.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Introduction and Career Background

Daniel introduces himself and shares his professional journey. He has a finance background, having worked in a real estate investment fund in Toronto before moving to join a tech startup. His first job was in corporate development within the consumer goods sector, stemming from his studies in finance and previous finance internships. He discusses the transition from a corporate environment to a startup, highlighting the unique blend of analytical skills and entrepreneurial spirit required.

💼 Choosing a Career Path

Daniel explains his choice of finance as a career, driven by his interest in numbers, investments, and the tangible aspects of the field. He emphasizes the importance of having a genuine personal connection to the field one wishes to enter, rather than simply pursuing it for its prestige. He also advises on the importance of staying current with market trends and news to demonstrate passion and knowledge during interviews and networking opportunities.

🚀 Goals and Aspirations

Daniel outlines his short-term and long-term career goals. In the immediate future, he is focused on the growth and success of the startup he is currently involved with, hoping to contribute to its development into a notable Canadian success story. His long-term ambition is to become an entrepreneur, using the knowledge and experience gained in his current role to eventually establish his own venture. He also highlights the value of mentorship in building a strong foundation for his career.

📞 Networking and Contact Information

Daniel concludes by inviting those interested in connecting with him to find him on LinkedIn, where he is accessible for professional networking. He provides his last name, Goob, and mentions that he is based in Calgary, ensuring that he should be easily found on the platform.

Keywords

💡Finance

Finance refers to the management of money and includes activities such as investing, borrowing, lending, budgeting, saving, and forecasting. In the video, Daniel's background in finance is central to his career narrative, as he has worked in a real estate investment fund and now in a tech startup. His interest in finance is evident from his personal investing and his educational background in the field.

💡Real Estate Investment Fund

A real estate investment fund is a collective investment scheme that allows individuals to invest in real estate assets, often managed by professional fund managers. Daniel's experience working at such a fund in Toronto is highlighted as a significant part of his professional journey, indicating his expertise in the real estate sector and its intersection with finance.

💡Startup

A startup is a young company that is in the initial stages of its operations, typically aiming for rapid growth and scale. Daniel's move from a corporate environment to a tech startup in Calgary signifies a shift towards a more entrepreneurial and ownership-driven role, which is a key theme in his career development.

💡Corporate Development

Corporate development involves strategic activities within a company aimed at improving its long-term value, such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and divestitures. Daniel's first job in a corporate development role in the consumer goods space showcases his early exposure to strategic business planning and finance.

💡Strategy

In a business context, strategy refers to a plan designed to achieve a particular goal or set of goals. Daniel's role in strategy and corporate development early in his career demonstrates his involvement in high-level business planning and the application of financial knowledge to drive business decisions.

💡Consumer Goods

Consumer goods are products or services that are bought by individuals for personal use rather than for resale or business use. Daniel's internships and initial job in the consumer goods sector provided him with a foundation in finance and an understanding of the dynamics of consumer-facing businesses.

💡Career Coach

A career coach is a professional who helps individuals explore their career options, set goals, and develop strategies to achieve them. In the script, the role of a career coach is mentioned in the context of advising university graduates or those considering a career in finance, emphasizing the importance of personal interest and authenticity in career choices.

💡Authentic Story

An authentic story refers to a genuine narrative that reflects one's personal experiences, values, and motivations. Daniel advises that having an authentic story is crucial for standing out in competitive fields like finance, as it helps to convey a deeper connection to one's career choice beyond superficial reasons.

💡Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. It is highlighted as an important aspect of career development, especially in competitive industries, where staying up-to-date with current events and news can demonstrate one's engagement and interest in the field.

💡Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing the risks and rewards of the company's success. Daniel's long-term goal of becoming an entrepreneur reflects his ambition and desire to apply the knowledge and experience gained from his current roles to create something of his own.

💡Mentorship

Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable individual guides and supports the development of a less experienced individual. Daniel acknowledges the value of mentorship in his career, particularly during the foundational years, which is essential for learning and growth in any professional field.

💡LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that allows individuals to connect with others in their industry, share professional achievements, and search for job opportunities. Daniel suggests that LinkedIn is the best place to professionally connect with him, indicating the importance of online professional presence in today's job market.

Highlights

Introduction of Daniel's background in finance and real estate investment fund in Toronto.

Daniel's transition from a corporate environment to a tech startup.

Daniel's first job in corporate development within the consumer goods industry.

The importance of having a genuine interest in the field of finance.

The value of having a personal story that aligns with one's career choice.

The competitive nature of the finance industry and the need to stand out.

Daniel's advice on staying up-to-date with current events and news in finance.

Daniel's goal to contribute to a successful Canadian startup story.

Long-term aspirations to become an entrepreneur and learn from mentors.

The significance of mentorship in building a strong foundation for a career.

Daniel's strategy for networking and professional connections on LinkedIn.

The uniqueness of Daniel's last name, Goob, and its pronunciation.

The importance of authenticity in career choices and personal interests.

Daniel's experience with the fast-paced nature of finance and its appeal.

The desire to build something meaningful in Calgary and the entrepreneurial spirit.

The balance of analytical skills with the hunger to create within a startup.

The role of personal investment and market understanding in Daniel's career path.

The advice for new graduates on choosing a career based on personal interests and industry knowledge.

Transcripts

tell us your name Daniel nice to meet

you Daniel nice to meet you what you do

for work uh so I have a finance

background I worked at a real estate

investment fund back home in Toronto and

I moved out here to join a startup what

was your first job uh like what was

their career started as coming out of

school yes uh so I worked in a strategy

corporate development role um in the

consumer goods space I studied Finance I

interned in a couple of finance

internships and then yeah did this

similar thing coming out of school and

then moved to the EST investment fund

move to the uh Tech startup now awesome

one question as a career coach I get is

what career they choose as a University

graduate or going to studies what made

you choose uh Finance as as your career

I didn't love science uh so I liked

numbers I liked tangible things I liked

Investments I like personally investing

on my own time and just learning about

the markets that way um and then when it

comes to a startup you're building

something special you're worked in a

more corporate environment before moved

into this more hle more ownership

environment that a startup brings for me

it's kind of BL bringing the best of wor

worlds uh my analytical background but

also just the hunger to build something

here here in Calgary that's the most

honest answer that you didn't like the

science people who are starting out how

would uh what would be your advice uh

for them if you if they want to start in

finance what would be their best advice

it's a competitive space like other you

know Fields as well whether it be

medicine whether it be law I think

Finance is no different that way where

there's a lot of competition you want to

stand out you want to have an authentic

story not just I want to do this because

it sounds good or looks good on paper

but have some sort of personal

background or attachment for me I liked

real estate I liked the fast-paced

nature that Finance Springs it's also

very different than what my father my

family does so was doing something

different searching for my own personal

interest and just kind of selling that

story from there say just have a good

story and stay up to date with current

events and news like show that you're

actually up to date with that that you

just don't want to have a job for the

sake of checking a box I think that's

very important when you're getting

interviewed when you're networking Tech

that makes sense what's your goal in

terms of career uh for the couple of

years coming up my goals in terms of my

career well definitely see where this

startup Adventure goes it's very

fastpaced things change week to week

month to month I'd want to continue down

that path um hopefully make an exciting

Canadian success story here that's part

of the territory that comes with build

building a startup and then eventually

longer term I want to do something my

own I I want to be an entrepreneur I

think I've always had that fire always

had that drive um and right now a lot of

the things I'm learning I see as a way

to learn the ropes and to eventually do

that myself um but of course first you

got you got to start from somewhere

having those mentorship figures you been

in the industry um it's very very Val

valuable right now as I'm I'm building

these foundational years of my career

awesome if anybody want to be in touch

with you you where where where they can

find you they can find me on LinkedIn

probably the best place to to connect

professionally just Daniel last name is

goob g l o u b o v a little bit of a

longer last name but Daniel goob you

should find me on there on Bas in

Calgary you shouldn't be too too hard to

find thank you Daniel thanks for sharing