How to Pursue a Career in Finance Without a Finance Degree

Having a finance-related degree does give an advantage when it comes to finding a job in the competitive financial sector. But just because you do not have a degree in that area does not mean that you have missed the boat – the finance industry is one of the most diverse industries requiring varied talents working together. Here are seven ways you can jump onto the bandwagon.

1

Get a relevant internship and excel at it

The best way to get a glimpse of the financial sector is to experience it. An internship allows exactly that; it offers abundant exposure to different departments and provides a better understanding and clearer perspective of the various roles and skills required.

Besides providing valuable learning experiences and knowledge, internships also give you the chance to score an excellent reference from your mentor and have something tangible to highlight when you gun for a full-time role in the future.

2

Find your advantage

Business and finance graduates may be fundamental in making up the bulk of any company in the financial sector, but graduates with non-related degrees are important too.

For example, if you have a degree in the humanities, you will likely have strong interpersonal and communication skills, be able to offer a more macro perspective and can derive different insights and approaches to problem-solving.

Given the global nature of the industry, competency in languages is also a highly-valued and desirable quality when it comes to client relations and financial market research. Identify the transferrable skills you possess and highlight them during your interviews.

3 Keep up to date with financial news

An acute interest in financial news and macro trends in both local and global markets is vital to enter the financial arena. One of the easiest ways to do this is to make reading financial news part of your regular routine in understanding what is happening in markets around the world.

Get to know what moves and shakes the field through top publications, such as the Financial Times, Business Insider, Wall Street Journal, The Economist and Forbes. On top of that, build relevant industry knowledge by staying up to date with market developments.

4

Network and reach out

Hop onto LinkedIn or other social media networks to find people who are not only already in the financial sector, but in careers you want to pursue; they can help you learn more and possibly open doors to opportunities that are not publicly advertised yet.

The more people you reach out to and speak with, the more well-informed you will be regarding your options. Be sure to do your own research beforehand and prepare intelligent questions while demonstrating your knowledge.

The bottom line is to take the initiative and reach out to as many as possible, so do not be afraid to approach, and connect with, alumni from your alma mater and even mentors from internships.

5

If you do not know the difference between mutual funds and unit trusts, or what AML and KYC mean, it would be useful to browse through Investopedia, an encyclopaedia for all things financerelated.

More importantly, inculcate an eagerto-learn attitude, challenge yourself to read up and understand concepts fully, look up jargon and build a bank of finance vocabulary so you do not feel lost during networking sessions and interviews.

6

Get a foot in

Aim for a position, even in generalist roles that do not require specialised financial and numerical skills – these include human resources, corporate communications and client servicing.

By doing so, you build your own network in the industry and gain training opportunities to equip yourself with the

Learn the lingo

relevant qualifications along the way.

7

Adopt lifelong learning

If you are still in school, consider doing a minor in economics, business, or accounting – or take up electives in these areas. This is your perfect introduction to the world of finance, and will allow you to practise your numerical competencies.

If you have graduated, you can still pursue part-time courses that lead to the relevant certifications. To reinforce your commitment towards a career in the industry, self-studying, taking up relevant courses and immersing yourself in financial publications is nothing short of essential.