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When did you know that you really wanted to work in finance?
When did you know that you really wanted to work in finance?
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8 answers
Kenneth Romanowski
CFP Board Emeritus (R), CTFA (Ret.), Instructor and Researcher of Financial History
29
Answers
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
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Kenneth’s Answer
Hello, Maria! Your question is a question that most people ask, whether it involves finance or some other type of employment. I struggled for several years after I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees. I believed that if I enjoyed what I did for a living, I would do well and be happy with my employment. I eventually hired a career counselor. She was someone I had known a few years earlier and I trusted her. She stayed with me as a client for two years. She asked me to write a history of my life, with both the good and not-so-good things in my life that had occurred. This was a great project, as it involved a great deal of soul-searching and reflection about my life up to that point. I eventually realized that one of the things I enjoyed in my past was discussing personal finances with my customers. I felt a great deal of satisfaction helping people. When I researched the market for financial advisors, it was competitive. It is still competitive now, but the opportunities I believe are greater. It still took several years before I found the job that was right for me, but it also took time for me to understand what I needed to do for success. In the end, I tried to position myself with the right amount of education and experience, so that when openings came up, I had what was needed in order to be hired.
I hope that my experience helps you.
Good luck! Ken Romanowski
Consider writing a history of your life and see if your experiences would blend well with a career in finance.
Investigate several types of careers in finance. Finance is actually a very broad area, so it would help to see what is available in the event that your first choice is not appropriate for you.
See what backgrounds employers are looking for in the want ads for finance jobs.
Speak to people in the field to get an idea of the positives and negatives of each type of position.
I hope that my experience helps you.
Good luck! Ken Romanowski
Kenneth recommends the following next steps:
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Peter’s Answer
When I took a summer course in it at university and fell in love.
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Nereida’s Answer
Hello Maria, I am a Regional Manager and First Vice President for a community bank. I just celebrated 40 years in banking. I started in an entry level position at the bank while I attending school. I knew back then I wanted to be in business but did not know much about finance. The company offered me educational and growth opportunities and I quickly fell in love with it! There are many different options in finance depending on what you enjoy most. I love to help people and found much satisfaction in lending and helping people buy their first car or first home. I also enjoy coaching others and watching them grow and develop their skills. Banking offers many entry level positions to explore what aligns with your goals and skillset. During my career I have done lending, worked in retail branches up to Manager, held a license to sell insurance and a series 6 for investments, worked on many projects and worked as a Branch Administrator.
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Francisco’s Answer
Hi there! You know, I never actually planned on working in Finance, but it just happened, and I ended up really enjoying it. My journey into Finance began with IT Support.
What I love about working in Finance is playing with numbers, keeping track of balances, and making sure everything follows policies and regulations. Plus, it's great to see the company's health indicators and how productive we are. It's such a friendly and engaging field to be in!
What I love about working in Finance is playing with numbers, keeping track of balances, and making sure everything follows policies and regulations. Plus, it's great to see the company's health indicators and how productive we are. It's such a friendly and engaging field to be in!
Tammy Laframboise
Present pension and financial planning information to members of a pension
43
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
Hi Maria,
I ended up becoming a CPA because I took an accounting course as an option during high school. It was easy for me and I enjoyed it so much that I pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree in university, then became a CPA. I didn't really love being a CPA, however, I eventually worked in the charitable sector where there were few people with my skills which made me very highly valued. I especially enjoyed explaining financial concepts and educating my colleagues. I am retired now and my last job at the Ontario Pension Board was the most rewarding for me. I was a Client Relations and Educational Specialist and my job was to do presentations on the pension and financial planning. I loved helping people become comfortable and confident with the decisions they were making with their pension and general finances.
Good luck finding your fit in finance. There are many varied opportunities.
I ended up becoming a CPA because I took an accounting course as an option during high school. It was easy for me and I enjoyed it so much that I pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree in university, then became a CPA. I didn't really love being a CPA, however, I eventually worked in the charitable sector where there were few people with my skills which made me very highly valued. I especially enjoyed explaining financial concepts and educating my colleagues. I am retired now and my last job at the Ontario Pension Board was the most rewarding for me. I was a Client Relations and Educational Specialist and my job was to do presentations on the pension and financial planning. I loved helping people become comfortable and confident with the decisions they were making with their pension and general finances.
Good luck finding your fit in finance. There are many varied opportunities.
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Vincent’s Answer
The precise moment when I chose to commit to a lifelong career in banking is somewhat hazy. In my early days, I was fortunate enough to join a bank in the bustling city of NYC. They generously offered tuition reimbursement, which opened up the opportunity for me to pursue college education part-time during the evenings after work. Once I completed my undergraduate degree, I had the chance to experience a variety of roles within the bank. Each position was a new adventure, and I relished them all, absorbing a wealth of knowledge about the banking industry. The turning point for me was likely my initial lack of understanding about banking. But once I started working for a bank, I found immense satisfaction in being able to assist and enlighten clients. This rewarding experience truly solidified my passion for banking.
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Marzena’s Answer
Additional suggestion for your consideration - you may be willing to take a look at job offers in financial sector. You may be surprised to see that financial sector offer a broad range of opportunities. Providing just a couple of examples: financial advisory, product development, products sales, operations, technology, legal, compliance, finance and accounting, tax, risk management (market/credit/operational), models' development/validation/monitoring, human capital management and much more.
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Ines’s Answer
Hello there,
Just like you, I'm an intern in the Investment Banking Division of a bank. The turning point for me, when I realized my passion for finance, was the moment I felt a compelling desire to comprehend how the economy functions and to grasp the intricate details of financial markets. You've chosen an exciting journey, and a wonderful future awaits you!
Just like you, I'm an intern in the Investment Banking Division of a bank. The turning point for me, when I realized my passion for finance, was the moment I felt a compelling desire to comprehend how the economy functions and to grasp the intricate details of financial markets. You've chosen an exciting journey, and a wonderful future awaits you!