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If you’re looking for a career in finance, it takes more than just desire to turn money matters into a lifelong profession. Whether it’s financial planning, accounting, or any fiscal necessity in between, today’s financial professionals must have the skills and experience to meet the demand of all things finance.
With money management in mind, the following five steps will help you secure a career in finance.
1. Educate Yourself
Breaking into the world of finance without a solid education is like trying to break into Fort Knox. Financial institutions in the world look for candidates who have a certain level of financial education. So, if you’re lacking in the collegiate department, don’t expect to get your foot in the door.
A bachelor’s degree is absolutely necessary, but that doesn’t mean you should stop there. Candidates with master’s degrees in finance are gaining more and more attention, but so are those candidates with diverse extracurricular activities like interning at financial planning firms or preparing tax returns.
2. Gain Experience Through Internships
Interning for college credit while in school is one thing, but interning in the real world is another. Professional internships are a great way to gain real-world experience while also opening up possibilities to transition into a paid position.
Not only are many professional internships at larger firms paid, they also give candidates hands-on experience in the ways in which finance works. Likewise, internships are a great way to form relationships that may directly lead to a career within the field.
3. Learn by Example
Leaders in the world of finance are perfect examples of how to achieve career security in the financial market. Following the path of other financial professionals is like reading the roadmap to career success, so choose a leader and learn from their success.
For example, if you’re looking to model your career path on a financial professional with years of experience, then Ernst and Young’s very own John Ferraro is a great choice. Now Global Chief Operating Officer, Ferraro received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University, which led to a position at Ernst and Young and thus his current role in the company.
4. Network, Network, Network
Who you know is equally as important as what you know when it comes to securing a career in finance, which is exactly why you need to get in the networking spirit. Forming relationships with other financial professionals is what keeps the financial world turning, so take every opportunity to set lunch dates and schedule friendly meetings.
5. Always Improve Your Résumé
Just because your background and expertise in finance helped you build a stellar résumé doesn’t mean it’ll last you the length of your career. If you treat your résumé like an unfinished novel, you’ll always have something to add as well as expertise to improve on and that relevance will secure your financial career for years to come.
By following the steps above, you’ll put your fiscal expertise in the spotlight and solidify yourself as a financial professional.
Comment if you have tips above and beyond the 5 Steps to Securing a Career in the World of Finance?
