If you don’t come from a target school or a family with connections, is it even possible to break into top-tier finance anymore? I’m networking like crazy, building experience, taking every relevant course, and I still feel like there’s this invisible ceiling. I’ve been told “you’re great, but we went with someone from Wharton” more than once. Is that just the reality of this industry?

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It is not the reality of the industry. If you look, you can find people in similar or other challenging industries who found a path forward to their goals who didn’t meet the “norm.” If what you wrote is what you believe, then it is self-limiting and a
self-fulfilling prophecy.

In my life (legal, finance, Big 4, banking), I’ve had to learn how to be creative to find the back door. Networking only goes so far. I have 4 degrees (English, law, MBA (finance) and Master of Accountancy). You’d think the path would be apparent. It wasn’t. BUT ….. set your Target for what you want and look at ALL of the possibilities of how to get there.

It may be slower than some but you’ll get there. I’ve been everywhere I was told I couldn’t be. Change your beliefs, be creative. You exude what you believe. If you know that you have the experience, education etc to have that role, have confidence and show it. You’ll get there. Don’t be discouraged.

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It’s ridiculous, honestly. Definitely not part of a plan. I’m paying for it now (student loans). And, I didn’t get the higher paying gig until after I earned the education. Very frustrating and discouraging. But ….. you just keep pushing.

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Focus on what you want out of those roles and look everywhere to get it. Skill development, exposure, and money are available in other roles. Do what you can now and keep trying to break into the top-tier if that’s truly the goal.

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The point of being elite is being selective. Why would you let anyone in the VIP booth simply if they asked?

That said, are there smaller market players you can apply to? I know they may not carry the full suite of services (learning experiences) as the major players do.

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At the end of the day, finance is still a boys club

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