-Treta Shenai, Design Thinking Faculty @ StartupYou
In 2012, fresh out of college, I landed a job at Northern Trust as an analyst in middle office operations. It was exciting, fast-paced, and pushed me to be my best. Over the years, I climbed the ladder—from Morgan Stanley to JP Morgan—becoming a team lead, handling traders and clients across different time zones. Multitasking, communication, handling pressure, and problem-solving became second nature.
But something inside me always craved more.
In 2020, just before the world changed with COVID, I took a bold step—I quit my job to pursue an Executive MBA. That’s where I discovered Design Thinking, a concept that sparked a new passion. At 30, I switched gears, completed a UX professional certificate from Google, and found myself in a completely new world—as a faculty at StartupYou, teaching Design Thinking.
From banking to teaching? My friends were shocked. But for me, it all made sense. Years of working in high-pressure environments had unknowingly shaped me. My communication, organization, and leadership skills made it easy to transition into education. Teaching wasn’t a new skill—it was a hidden passion waiting to be tapped into.
I never saw my 8+ years in investment banking as a waste—instead, they were stepping stones. Every job teaches you something. Skills are transferable. If you ever feel stuck in a job, remember—you are learning, growing, and building experiences that will help you wherever you go.
Change is possible. Upskill, be patient, and embrace the journey. The best opportunities often lie where you least expect them.
