I’m 23 and finished my Bachelor’s in Finance this past spring from a smaller private university. The program was decent but not well known in finance circles.
I’ve always been interested in market analysis and spent a lot of time developing trading skills during college. This focus meant I only managed to complete one internship at a boutique investment research firm, though it was valuable experience. I also ran a small online business during high school that generated solid revenue before market conditions forced me to shut it down in 2022.
My grades weren’t amazing (around 3.3 GPA) due to personal circumstances and having to work while studying. Finding employment has been tough - I applied everywhere but only received one job offer.
Currently I’m working as a client relationship specialist at a major bank. It’s not my dream job but I’ve gotten some useful certifications and there’s potential to earn commissions through client referrals. The role has given me exposure to wealth management since I work in an affluent area.
My long term goal is to work in asset management or trading at an investment fund. I’m also considering alternatives like corporate lending or getting an MBA to transition into investment banking.
I’m preparing for CFA and CMT exams while trying to build my professional network. What other steps should I take to improve my prospects? I want to make sure I’m maximizing this time to set myself up for better opportunities.
you’re overthinking this. everyone treats finance like some mysterious career ladder, but it’s really about connections and interview skills. your 3.3 gpa? won’t matter after your first job. that boutique experience beats most big-name internships - you did actual work instead of fetching coffee.
forget the mba/cfa timeline for now. focus on excelling at your current role. network with those wealthy clients you’re already serving - many have fund connections or know people who do. the best opportunities often come from unexpected places.
your path sounds totally normal for finance. most people don’t land dream jobs right out of college, especially from smaller schools. that trading background you built is actually solid - shows genuine interest beyond just chasing money. keep grinding the cfa, but also reach out to that boutique firm where you interned. they might have connections or know when positions open elsewhere. going back to previous contacts often works better than cold applications.
Your banking role is actually better positioning than you think. That client relationship experience shows soft skills asset management firms really want, especially with your market analysis background. The wealth management exposure is super relevant - most fund roles need you to understand client needs anyway. Don’t see this as a detour. Use it to prove you get both the technical side and relationship side of finance. Reach out to alumni from your school who made similar moves - smaller programs usually have tighter networks where people actually help each other. This might give you some ideas for your next steps:
CFA prep shows you’re serious, but try targeting specific firms and roles instead of spraying applications everywhere. Good networking conversations beat volume every time when you’re switching between finance sectors.
