My Experience with FinTech Scotland – A United Nations-like Journey
For the past eight weeks, I’ve had the privilege of working with a team so diverse it could have passed for a United Nations delegation, all while learning what it means to build a more financially inclusive future. FinTech Scotland gave me the opportunity to not only observe but actively contribute to their mission. It allowed me to transfer skills from previous work experiences, providing flexibility, creativity, and insight into how these abilities can be adapted to the fast-evolving world of finance.
The best way to describe my internship at FinTech Scotland is by sharing what I’ve learned, what the organisation does, and how my contributions helped make a difference.
What is Fintech?
Before joining FinTech Scotland, I’d never heard the term ‘fintech’ and after attending my interview with the Marketing Director and COO of Fintech Scotland, I still didn’t quite understand. Two weeks into the internship, curiosity finally got the better of me, so I did what every good intern does who needs to act as if they know what they are talking about. I googled it and the top result presented "Financial Technology." Well, that cleared things up. It’s a bit like hearing the phrase, "quantum mechanics is just advanced physics"—it tells you something, but not quite enough. The penny dropped for me when I attended an event TSB Bank hosted with FinTech Scotland, where 13 businesses showcased their fintech ideas. I learned that fintech isn't some alien idea — it is part of everyday life in the apps we use for banking, the digital wallets we rely on and even by the person trying to flog you Bitcoin at a party.
In short, fintech is the integration of finance and technology, covering everything from banking apps to cryptocurrency. It’s a broad umbrella, and it turns out I’ve been standing under it for years without knowing!
My understanding FinTech Scotland Do?
Now, FinTech Scotland has a comprehensive 76-page Research & Innovation Roadmap that outlines their goals for driving innovation and change within Scotland's financial sector. One key highlight that resonated with me was their commitment to making a real difference in people's lives by addressing financial inclusion and tackling health-related challenges. Their role goes beyond supporting fintech entrepreneurs and businesses—they are a catalyst for job creation, data accessibility, and shaping thought leadership in the industry.
Understanding the depth of their mission aligns with my passion of contributing to lasting economic growth within the community through financial inclusion. Seeing how this work can positively impact people's daily lives has given me a strong sense of purpose and drive to support FinTech Scotland's goals in any way I can.
How do I feel I have contributed?
In my internship I managed the company's social media channels involving content creation, post scheduling as well as ensuring the messaging was concise and inline with FinTech Scotland’s tone. I also learned how to look through social media metrics, review campaigns and adjust them based on the performance data. I handled incoming emails and requests, responding to partners and stakeholders questions. Working in this role, I quickly learned the value of effective communication and strong organisational skills as I juggled multiple tasks to a high standard.
One of the most important projects I have been doing is supporting FinTech Scotland with their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) activities. As part of the collaboration with the team, on how we could extend community engagement for the organisation around DEI and sustainability. This was an eye opener for me on the need for inclusivity in fintech. An example of this work was conducting an interview with a leading entrepreneur, Tynah Matembe from Money Matix, on how she herself advocated for financial inclusion through youth education. This interview not only allowed me to work on my communication skills but also contribute in the direction of FinTech Scotland's mission of promoting fintech initiatives that have a social benefit.
From 8 Weeks to 11: The Journey Continues
What started as an eight-week internship has now been extended to eleven weeks, allowing me to continue contributing and gaining valuable experience. This opportunity allowed me to attend the 7th annual FinTech Scotland Festival event, further building on the knowledge and skills I’ve developed, and continuing to support FinTech Scotland’s ambitious goals for the future.
About the Author:
Ranecia Johnson, is a Marketing graduate from the University of Stirling, with professional experience spanning both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Her passion lies in creating meaningful community impact, where she is dedicated to fostering inclusive and diverse environments. Ranecia's unique skill set allows her to blend creativity and strategy, ensuring that her work not only drives business results but also contributes to social good. With a keen interest in financial inclusion and equity, she is committed to leveraging her marketing expertise to make a lasting difference in the communities she serves.
