#NoWrongPath Blog | Caitlin Baker
Unconventional career paths often lead to the most rewarding destinations. For science and engineering graduates navigating the early stages of their careers, the challenge is finding a space that honours both a technical mindset and a growing commercial curiosity. In this compelling case study, Caitlin, an intern at Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), proves that there is truly no wrong path when building a career. Read on to discover how embracing unexpected detours, transitioning from medicine to engineering and business, and following your curiosity can transform your professional journey.
Caitlin Baker
Intern
Scottish Financial Enterprise
1. What first sparked your interest in working in financial services, and how did that lead to the specific role you're in now?
My interest in financial services came from an unexpected place. At school I was drawn to the sciences, so a Medicine degree felt like the obvious next step. Two years in, I realised it wasn't the right fit, so I switched to Biomedical Engineering instead. It was actually a final-year module on Entrepreneurship in Engineering that first pulled me towards the business side of things. I had very little commercial awareness at that point, but I found it genuinely interesting to think about problems from a business perspective rather than a purely technical one. That curiosity is what led me to an MSc in Business and Management.
2. Can you describe the journey that brought you to your current role, and what made you choose that particular path?
Once I'd made the jump into business, the next real turning point came during my MSc, in a finance and accounting module. It clicked for me in a way I hadn't expected, my maths and engineering background turned out to be a genuine asset when it came to financial analysis rather than something I had to work around. That module is what pushed me towards wanting a CFA or accounting qualification, and it's what convinced me that financial services, rather than a purely technical or scientific career, was the direction I wanted to take.
3. Were there any key moments, mentors, or experiences that helped you realise this was the right fit for you?
It wasn't one single moment, it was more an accumulation of experiences, and none of them followed a neat plan. Changing direction as many times as I did wasn't always easy, there's a lot of pressure to stick with the path you started on, so learning that it was okay to change my mind took some confidence.
Working in hospitality alongside my studies played a bigger part than people might expect. Getting exposed to the day-to-day, behind-the-scenes side of running a business is where I first realised how much I enjoyed the commercial side of things.
4. What aspects of your current role do you find most fulfilling, and did that align with what you expected when you started?
I really enjoy the variety of my internship at SFE, from researching early careers opportunities within our financial services members to writing content for secondary school pupils and building interactive games for the getinto.finace website.
5. Looking back, is there anything you would tell your younger self, or someone starting out, about finding a role that truly fits them?
I'd tell my younger self that a detour isn't wasted time. Each stage I went through, even the ones that didn't work out, taught me something I still rely on now, whether that's analytical thinking or just getting comfortable with uncertainty. My advice to anyone starting out would be to pay close attention to the subjects or experiences that genuinely spark your curiosity, even if they seem completely unrelated to your original plan, because they're often the clearest signal of where to go next.
6. What do you want to do next?
I want to build on what I discovered through my finance and accounting studies by working towards a CFA or accounting qualification and move into a financial services role where I can bring together my analytical, engineering-trained mindset with the interest in finance I've developed since.
This inspiring story is a powerful reminder that there is no wrong path and you don't need a rigid, traditional roadmap to find a career you love. Whether you are switching majors, exploring a completely new industry, or wondering if your past experiences matter, Caitlin's journey highlights the importance of recognizing that detours are never wasted time. By paying close attention to what sparks your curiosity and leaning into your unique strengths, you can build a truly fulfilling career in financial services.