7 answers
Edward
Student
North Ridgeville, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
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If you are good with stocks, is being a Stock brocker a good idea?
9th grader with big dreams #finance #general #business
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7 answers
Hristo Georgiev
Business analyst
8
Answers
Sofia, Bulgaria
Updated
Hristo’s Answer
Dear Edward,
If you are good with stocks and you are keen on financial markets, there are many paths in front of you. However, the two main directions are so called “buy side” and “sell side”. I’ve worked on both sides for a while, so let me share my experience.
A “sell side” means that you “sell” stocks, bonds and other securities to various entities (funds, banks, insurance companies, etc.). If you pursue that career path you can surely be a broker. In my experience, I was an investment analyst preparing equity research reports for pension funds and investment companies. It is relatively less stressful as you don’t have to worry so much about the accuracy of your predictions. Here you are providing just forecast on some stock, you are not so much accountable, and you do not have your own money on the table.
A “buy side” is when you are an equity research analyst for a fund or an investment company. In this case you can still put no personal savings in the investment ideas but you will be more accountable for your forecasts and estimations. This means it is more stressful and sometimes the working hours are far beyond 9/5. On the positive side, this is way more satisfactory because your work directly impacts the investments returns of your fund.
In either case, I will advise you to start building a career portfolio. As the industry is highly competitive, it is always good to be able to differentiate yourself. A great place to start is seekingalpha.com where you can share your stock ideas with the world. It’s free and you even earn some money if your articles get published. But the best is that it is followed by millions of investors. As you write down your investment ideas and it start to get traction, it would be easier to find your place in the industry.
On a later stage you might think about enrolling into a CFA program but it is expensive, so do that step once you are completely sure you want to pursue a career in the financial services.
All the best!
Create a profile and start writing on seekingalpha.com
If you are good with stocks and you are keen on financial markets, there are many paths in front of you. However, the two main directions are so called “buy side” and “sell side”. I’ve worked on both sides for a while, so let me share my experience.
A “sell side” means that you “sell” stocks, bonds and other securities to various entities (funds, banks, insurance companies, etc.). If you pursue that career path you can surely be a broker. In my experience, I was an investment analyst preparing equity research reports for pension funds and investment companies. It is relatively less stressful as you don’t have to worry so much about the accuracy of your predictions. Here you are providing just forecast on some stock, you are not so much accountable, and you do not have your own money on the table.
A “buy side” is when you are an equity research analyst for a fund or an investment company. In this case you can still put no personal savings in the investment ideas but you will be more accountable for your forecasts and estimations. This means it is more stressful and sometimes the working hours are far beyond 9/5. On the positive side, this is way more satisfactory because your work directly impacts the investments returns of your fund.
In either case, I will advise you to start building a career portfolio. As the industry is highly competitive, it is always good to be able to differentiate yourself. A great place to start is seekingalpha.com where you can share your stock ideas with the world. It’s free and you even earn some money if your articles get published. But the best is that it is followed by millions of investors. As you write down your investment ideas and it start to get traction, it would be easier to find your place in the industry.
On a later stage you might think about enrolling into a CFA program but it is expensive, so do that step once you are completely sure you want to pursue a career in the financial services.
All the best!
Hristo recommends the following next steps:
Craig C
Accountant
10
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Craig’s Answer
It is great that you have big dreams. I would definitely recommend that you solidify your base knowledge of financial markets as education is key. You probably have heard that many renowned investors constantly advise others to read everyday as the "secret sauce". There are many occupations to choose from and you will get to learn more as you enter college. If you are comfortable interacting with people constantly, meeting sales targets, and researching heavily, a stockbroker job may suit you. Nevertheless, you can also be an analyst that may not involve a lot of selling, so in reality there are many jobs out there related to the stock market. I suggest that you contact people in these different jobs to get a taste of what's expected. All the best in your journey.
Gabriel Kan
Quant
6
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Gabriel’s Answer
Another angle is to look at what are the roles that involved stocks. Then find one that matches your interests and talent about "good at stocks". I listed a few below, with the criteria based on my own experience:
1. Equity analyst - Analyze individual companies based on fundamental analysis.
2. Stock broker - Know the stocks and markets and their information in a daily basis
3. Portfolio manager - Make investment decision and good at risk taking
4. Quant - Good at numbers and data, and apply techniques on the financial markets/products
1. Equity analyst - Analyze individual companies based on fundamental analysis.
2. Stock broker - Know the stocks and markets and their information in a daily basis
3. Portfolio manager - Make investment decision and good at risk taking
4. Quant - Good at numbers and data, and apply techniques on the financial markets/products
Aaron Schneider, CPA, CPCU, CAWC
Accounting/Finance
6
Answers
Westphalia, Michigan
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
If it’s something you enjoy then you should definitely pursue it. You could get a finance degree and take many career paths. You could work as a stock broker or financial planner. Many large financial organizations have internal teams managing their investments. Many opportunities in the investment markets. Find something you enjoy and are good at. Opportunities will follow!
Rohit Nambiar
Program Manager
20
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Rohit’s Answer
If you are good at stocks, you can always become a stockbroker, provided you read about the stock market and about the economy in general on a daily basis. These go into the very essence of buying and selling shares. You would also might have to take up some certification courses and get yourself a broking license (depending on the country-specific laws)
A stock broker essentially "sells" to a potential buyer - either asking them to invest or asking them to sell, basically making money for others and for themselves in the process. So, you need to know for sure how good a salesman are you - it requires a lot of talking and negotiation.
If you are good at stocks, you could also invest in the stock markets and make money for yourself instead for others. There are options available for one to trade round the clock and across global stock exchanges.
A stock broker essentially "sells" to a potential buyer - either asking them to invest or asking them to sell, basically making money for others and for themselves in the process. So, you need to know for sure how good a salesman are you - it requires a lot of talking and negotiation.
If you are good at stocks, you could also invest in the stock markets and make money for yourself instead for others. There are options available for one to trade round the clock and across global stock exchanges.
Timothy T
Founder/CFO
5
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Timothy’s Answer
Hi Edward!
If you are good with stocks, being a stockbroker is an absolutely fabulous idea! However, I would recommend that you know as much as you can about being a broker as well as other career paths you can pursue related to stocks.
The traditional image of a stockbroker as someone who sells the next up-and-coming stock is a bit outdated. These days, the most effective advocates for helping individuals buy stocks are financial advisors. The job of an effective financial advisor can be a bit more in-depth than simply recommend which investments to buy. Many financial advisors help their clients with nearly all aspects of their lives. From managing investments and risk to retirement planning, family and estate planning. The most successful advisors I've met are an integral part of their client's lives. It is a job that is so much more than finding the next big winner in the stock market.
But if you are good with stocks or have an interest in the stock market, there are many other options available to you. You can be an analyst for a Wall Street firm. An analyst is someone who digs deep into companies and lets others know whether they think the stock is a good investment. You can be a portfolio manager: someone who builds a portfolio of stocks for others to invest in. You can work for a fund company. Fund companies often time have many different portfolios and need many of the above-mentioned positions to help them operate efficiently. If you work in private equity, you can be part of a team that will buy out other businesses in order to make them better companies.
As you can see, there are a lot of different routes you can take. It all depends on what you like and find most appealing. My recommendation would be to do some research, see which way you would like to go, and then find a company you like to get your foot in the door.
If you are good with stocks, being a stockbroker is an absolutely fabulous idea! However, I would recommend that you know as much as you can about being a broker as well as other career paths you can pursue related to stocks.
The traditional image of a stockbroker as someone who sells the next up-and-coming stock is a bit outdated. These days, the most effective advocates for helping individuals buy stocks are financial advisors. The job of an effective financial advisor can be a bit more in-depth than simply recommend which investments to buy. Many financial advisors help their clients with nearly all aspects of their lives. From managing investments and risk to retirement planning, family and estate planning. The most successful advisors I've met are an integral part of their client's lives. It is a job that is so much more than finding the next big winner in the stock market.
But if you are good with stocks or have an interest in the stock market, there are many other options available to you. You can be an analyst for a Wall Street firm. An analyst is someone who digs deep into companies and lets others know whether they think the stock is a good investment. You can be a portfolio manager: someone who builds a portfolio of stocks for others to invest in. You can work for a fund company. Fund companies often time have many different portfolios and need many of the above-mentioned positions to help them operate efficiently. If you work in private equity, you can be part of a team that will buy out other businesses in order to make them better companies.
As you can see, there are a lot of different routes you can take. It all depends on what you like and find most appealing. My recommendation would be to do some research, see which way you would like to go, and then find a company you like to get your foot in the door.
Bruce Letten
credit risk manager
4
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Bruce’s Answer
Stockbroker is a good choice, but it does involve selling. You will be advising other people on what choices they should make for future investments.
Suggest a finance college degree with a focus on investments
Bruce recommends the following next steps: