Building Financial Independence

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Coby Peterson

Balancing Purpose and Sustainability

For Coby Peterson, proud Latji Latji, Barkindji, Kamilaroi and Ngemba man. A career in finance began not in a lecture theatre, but with a curiosity sparked by the world of markets, numbers and the way financial decisions shape everyday life.

Now a commerce student at Monash University majoring in Finance and Accounting. Coby is building a clear pathway toward a future in investment, business and long-term financial independence.

The Spark of Curiosity

From an early age, Coby found himself naturally drawn to the fast-paced world of economics.

"Ever since I was very young, I've been really interested in the stock market," Coby says. "I saw movies with people in suits, graphs, trading floors and I just thought, that looks interesting."

What began as a childhood fascination quickly became a keen direction. Over time, that early interest evolved into a deeper understanding of how financial systems influence businesses, communities and real-world opportunity.

"I've always been interested in working with numbers, especially financial numbers. Seeing how businesses make decisions based on profit margins and how they respond to changes in the market," he explains.

Real-World Impact

While Monash University is helping Coby develop vital technical skills in corporate finance, valuation and accounting, his education extends far beyond university lectures. In fact, some of his most valuable learning has come through the hands-on experiences gained during his internship.

A major step in his professional development came through a CareerTrackers internship with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).

"I just really wanted to see how one of the big banks operates internally," Coby explains. "How teams work together, how decisions are made and how everything connects behind the scenes."

"What you learn at uni gives you the foundation, but applying it in a workplace is completely different," Coby notes.

Working through large datasets, customer financial histories and operational documents helped Coby build not only his technical acumen, but also his confidence in structured problem-solving and professional communication.

An Athlete's Mindset

Alongside his academic and professional pursuits, Coby's competitive sporting background has played a major role in shaping his drive and resilience. Having played football and basketball at representative levels. He seamlessly translates those court-and-field skills into corporate environments.

"Sport teaches you how to rely on others, trust your teammates and stay consistent," he says. "Those lessons carry into everything."

Driven by Purpose and Family

One of the strongest motivating forces in Coby's journey is his belief in the power of financial literacy – particularly in communities where that knowledge is not always accessible.

"Financial literacy isn't really taught in high schools," Coby says. "If I understand it, I can help my family and people around me make better financial decisions."

For Coby, success is defined by what he can give back. His goals are deeply personal and family-driven.

"I want to be able to give back to my family and eventually take care of my parents," he says. "They've sacrificed a lot so I could have these opportunities."

Looking to the Future

With aspirations toward investment banking or private equity early in his career, Coby is actively pursuing opportunities to build experience in the finance sector. Looking ahead, he hopes to move into wealth management or senior financial roles, where he can combine strategic thinking with technical expertise.

Ultimately, Coby aims to achieve lifelong financial independence by continuing to build his knowledge, maintain discipline and invest for the long term.

"I'd like to create a life where I can be financially independent, support my family and give future generations opportunities I didn't have growing up," Coby says.

From early curiosity about markets to hands-on experience at one of Australia's major financial institutions, Coby's journey reflects a clear, powerful progression: interest becoming direction and direction becoming opportunity.