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What area of finance? To be honest, will be very hard if not impossible to break into decent firms in both front and back office roles without at least bachelors. With that said many people with non-finance degrees make it into finance. So it’s probably not a skilling issue for you it’s a corporate norm issue.
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as I said, I stand corrected
I have a bachelors in marketing and work in risk data analytics, had a year of financial sales experience and got recruited by citi, been a year at citi and just got promoted to assistant VP. It’s very possible
And the sales role was selling debt relief lol. I obviously picked up on everything quick as I had went to a tech school, but a solid resume RE design and just pure honesty that you’ll work harder then anyone else on the team; you’ll get where you want to be. It’s been my goal of proving any doubters wrong this year and I have.
I can assure you - it’s possible. A lot of companies hire veterans or people with a diverse educational background. However, it’s less likely if you go through the HR process as they possibly drop your CV right at the beginning. If you have the right skills, try to approach someone and ask if they would help you to find a position.
Most definitely you can ! I started in Finance with only my Associate Degree in Biology. I worked for a bank then transitioned into back office finance while going to school to complete my BA. You can start as a customer service rep, which will give you the ability to learn about financial markets (getting your series 7 is important).
Firms like Primerica will give you a shot and they train and provide free classes for a SIE, Series 6, 26, 63 and 65. Mortgages and Life Insurance too.
I started in Finance with a HS Diploma. It’s possible. I now work as a consultant and I didn’t even think finance would be my calling.
It’s very possible! I didn’t even have an associates when I got into finance but I eventually got my bachelors in finance and accounting like 6 years later. It’s all about who you know and how good you can persuade the manager in the interview.
You can apply for programmes not sure where you are from but in the U.K. we have apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships that provide a degree, salary and training for roles within the bank anywhere from compliance to relationship management, only the investment bank is untouchable.
You can also apply to a grad scheme without a finance degree usually it would be in relationship management and they would train you up.
Ultimately I would look at large banks with service centres, yes you would be stuck on customer service for a year or two but then you rotate into different areas of the bank, it’s like working your way up slow but it gets you were you need to go
I have a bachelors but it isn’t in finance. (Public admin) I worked at State Farm and got some of my series licenses there and that helped me get here. My recommendation is to do some time in insurance and find an agency that does mutual funds and work your way in that way
Get SIE and 66 now , that will get you enugh credibility to get an opts roll at a big firm (pru , fidelity , etc) then they will sponsor you for the 7 and you can prob parlay that. Prob your best bet brother
Merrill Edge has great program to help you get into finance. They sponsor you to get your SIE, 7 and 6. They have a great track into wealth management.
Where I work at Charles Schwab they do! I work a back end role in mutual funds handling the assets of private businesses. It’s very lucrative and my coworker never went to college. I noticed a lot of other departments also trained their people so not everyone has a degree.
Where are you based? We hire entry level roles without degrees.
What company?
Retail banking is a good first step. Depending on the bank you’re at there’s a lot of resources they have to help enhance your career. From tuition reimbursement to on job training. Definitely a great first step
I’m glad to see people are willing to help here. My input: is there any chance you can still pursue a bachelor in finance or something similar like accounting or business? It’s never too late to start. Or do part-time night/online courses while you work. Higher degree of education is not a guarantee but it usually opens more doors. That said, the other posts are also helpful - you can try it first to see if you like it rather than spending time to complete study only to find you don’t enjoy it. Best of luck with any endeavour you choose
As a former senior manager of an investment firm.
Absolutely.
If you’re willing to start from the bottom and work your way up. Larger firms like TIAA, Fidelity, and Vanguard would pay you during training and licensing.
Totally depends on the position, company and related work experience. For instance, I do not have a degree, but have been self-taught and have experience in real estate and business underwriting (which I did not have degrees for, but also studying and applied myself). In both instances, I clearly understood the requirements of the job and was able to convey my ability to perform the tasks, or at the very least be coachable & trainable. Office dynamics can also be an important factor, so stressed mutual core values & being a real asset to the office. Knowledge can be taught, but things of real value are also who you are and what you’re about.
Totally agree. Degree <> success.
BNY, DM me and I’ll send you a referral
You definitely can - you can try to break into retail banking and work your way up from there. I was a teller for a little while and my bachelors was in criminal justice!!
What is your role now?
Thank you all for the input! I am currently in banking and have been for the last 6 years. This is what sparked my interest in finance. Love working with the numbers but I want to continue that outside of banking. Looking for a change of scenery with new challenges. Still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up!