Career Advice on becoming a Compliance and Risk Manager by Rahul O (Full Version)

Summary

Rahul Oberoi, a compliance and risk manager, shares his career journey and personal experiences. He explains how he supports business units by training fund managers and working with back-office teams to ensure regulatory compliance. Rahul reflects on his move from the US to India at 13, overcoming cultural challenges and eventually thriving. He recalls the impact of a job loss during a corporate acquisition, which led him to new roles at Alliance Bernstein and Fidelity in Bermuda. Rahul's passion for continuous learning and his international moves, including to London, have shaped both his professional and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rahul Oberoi works as a compliance and risk manager, supporting the business unit on regulations and monitoring.
• 😀 As a compliance manager, Rahul trains fund managers on new rules and works with back-office teams to prevent regulatory violations.
• 😀 As a risk manager, Rahul produces reports, metrics, and tools to help the investment team assess risks in their funds.
• 😀 Rahul was born in the US and moved to India at the age of 13, which posed initial cultural and language challenges.
• 😀 Over time, Rahul adapted to life in India, learned the language, made friends, and gained a deep appreciation for the culture.
• 😀 Rahul credits his move to India for forcing him to work harder and pay closer attention, which has benefitted his career and academic achievements.
• 😀 Losing his job at a small bank that was acquired by Wachovia was a tough challenge for Rahul, but it helped him grow personally and professionally.
• 😀 After moving back to New York, Rahul found a job with Alliance Bernstein, where he worked for two and a half years before joining Fidelity.
• 😀 Rahul moved to Bermuda for a more relaxed lifestyle after finding the work culture at Alliance Bernstein to be stressful and demanding.
• 😀 Rahul’s ambition is to be the best at whatever he does, which drives him to continually learn and pursue further education in his career.
• 😀 Moving to different countries, including India, the US, Bermuda, and London, has been a significant part of Rahul’s personal and professional journey.

Q & A

What is Rahul Oberoi's profession?

Rahul Oberoi works as a Compliance and Risk Manager. His role involves providing support on regulations, training fund managers, and working with the back-office team to set up rules to prevent violations of regulations.

How does Rahul contribute to the risk management aspect of his role?

As a risk manager, Rahul produces reports, metrics, and tools for the investment team to help them better assess the risks in their funds.

Where was Rahul born, and where did he move when he was 13?

Rahul was born in the United States. When he was 13, his parents moved to India, and he lived there from that point onward.

What challenges did Rahul face when moving to India?

Rahul faced challenges such as not speaking the language and not being familiar with the culture. However, over time, he adapted and began to enjoy living in India.

How did Rahul's experience in India influence his career?

Living in India forced Rahul to work harder, pay more attention to his tasks, and ultimately helped shape his career and academic endeavors positively.

What is the hardest challenge Rahul has faced in his career?

The hardest challenge Rahul faced was being laid off from his job at a small bank that was bought by Wachovia. He described the period of unemployment as overwhelming and difficult.

How did Rahul manage the job loss experience?

After being laid off, Rahul moved back to New York and secured a job with Alliance Bernstein. He viewed the experience as tough but used it as an opportunity to rebuild his career.

Why did Rahul move to Bermuda, and how did he find the lifestyle there?

Rahul moved to Bermuda to take a break from the stressful life in New York. He found the lifestyle in Bermuda much more relaxed and enjoyed the sunny environment.

What is Rahul's ultimate career goal?

Rahul's ultimate career goal is to be the best at whatever he does. He is driven by a desire to learn, grow, and continually improve.

What does Rahul consider the high point of his life?

The high point of Rahul's life has been the experience of moving countries at a young age. This included adjusting to life in India and later moving to the United States, Bermuda, and London, all of which significantly impacted his personal and professional growth.