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Do people often ask you for financial advice? Do you get dozens of phone calls each tax season from friends and relatives who have questions about IRS guidelines, legal deductions, and refund estimates? If so, you probably already possess several of the key characteristics for becoming a successful investment adviser. But what if you already have a college degree in a relevant field like business administration, math, economics, or liberal arts?
One of the best ways to begin building a solid foundation for a career in the investment arena is to add credentials and pertinent experience to your resume. Here are some of the steps you can take to do so. Keep in mind that you need not do everything on the list, just the items that fit your particular career path and fit nicely with what you have already done in your academic and work life.
Get Certified
What letters do top companies look for on resumes? Of course, MBA is at the top of the list, but CPA’s can gain fast entry into a multitude of corporations in addition to traditional accounting firms. Two other lettered credentials are valuable: EA and CFP. Enrolled agents take a series of tests to earn the right to represent their clients in front of the IRS on tax-related matters. Certified financial planners offer a broad spectrum of help to private clients.
Take the Right Courses
Somewhere along the way, remember to take at least a few college-level courses in statistics, accounting, and taxation. A few in each category makes for a balanced, attractive resume when the time comes for face to face interviews. Plus, you’ll gain some core competencies in your preferred avocation. You don’t need to be a math expert, but try to gain a strong understanding of the subject up to, but not necessarily including calculus. Ideally, consider taking at least the two-part introduction to calculus courses if you can fit them in along the way.
Get an MBA
A master’s degree in business administration is one of the best ways to open doors into fields like investing, stock market analysis, consulting, and dozens more. Don’t hesitate to apply for MBA loans if you need to cover your academic expenses for the time it takes you to satisfy degree requirements. If you already have an undergraduate diploma in business, all the better. You’ll be able to hit the ground running in MBA school. Private student loans have multiple benefits for degree candidates, like competitive interest rates, reasonable repayment periods, and the ability to borrow what you need for tuition, room, board, and other related expenses.
Add Experience to Your Resume
The experience section of your resume can move mountains when it comes time to interview for specific positions. Consider taking part-time work, internships, or full-time duties with companies that appeal to you. If your strengths lie in securities analysis, for example, apply with investment advisory firms. Try to hone in on the kinds of organizations that are doing what you eventually want to do as your long-term career. Think in terms of hedge funds, brokerage firms, international banks, mortgage services, wealth management corporations, and similar entities.
