How did you get your first job managing investments without having real experience?

Hi Gwen H. from Atlanta!

Q. It seems like every job requires previous experience. How does anyone ever get started the first time? It seems like a catch 22.

A. The short answer is that my first job wasn't managing investments. I went to a college in the mid-west that was in my price range (amount I was willing to take out loans for) and provided opportunities that I was interested in. I chose to study finance (math, investments, accounting, communication), where eventually I graduated without having had an internship. I strongly encourage seeking out an internship as it will give you real life insight as to whether this choice is right for you.

Once I graduated, I went to work for Fidelity Investments as a customer service/mutual fund trader. More often than not, so long as you prove yourself with the basic fundamental classes, many companies will teach you what they want you to know. In fact, you may come across as more valuable without having had experience because you are able to be "molded" into their company culture.

Regardless, I am where I am today because I started where I had never thought I would be(customer service), I kept working hard, and I continued to be recognized for my contributions.

In sum: Pick a school you love/can afford, work towards getting an internship in the field you think could make you enough money to be happy(define happiness without using money), and don't ever stop improving when one company finally gives you the chance. Today I provide advice to financial advisors who are looking to help people just like those who you may be closest with!

The future is yours, don't take no for an answer!

Hi Gwen,

Good question. It can be tricky, but a good path would be something like this:

1) Earning your bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field making sure to apply to related internships which will likely be required by your degree. If not, I'd suggest seeking out your own internship and also consider looking for volunteer opportunities.

2) Apply and be accepted into a training program such as through:

Wells Fargo:
https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/about-wells-fargo-advisors/career-opportunities/financial-advisor-training.htm

Edward Jones:
http://careers.edwardjones.com/explore-opportunities/students/index.html

Americanprise:
https://www.joinameriprise.com/new-financial-advisors/advisor-support/training-and-development/

These programs are also designed to help you earn the FINRA Series 66 and FINRA Series 7 licenses which are required to be a financial advisor.

I don't want to oversimplify this nor I do I want to make it overly complicated. Just use this information as a starting place and please continue to post on this forum if you have additional questions.