What an Assistant Vice President at a Big Bank Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Banking Industry
Success in the financial services industry hinges on a combination of strong soft skills and the ability to "battle your way out" from entry-level positions like call centers, often requiring three to five years of dedication. Passing licensing exams, such as the Series 7, and demonstrating meticulous "attention to detail" are also crucial for career advancement within the field.
Communication, Problem-Solving, Attention to Detail, Resilience, Licenses and Testing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Zach Bransky
Assistant Vice President
Fortune 100 Bank
University of Arizona
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey, MBA
Finance
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Strong soft skills are crucial for success.
2. Entry-level positions often begin in call centers, requiring perseverance and a willingness to work your way up.
3. Passing industry-specific licensing exams (e.g., Series 7) is essential for career advancement in financial services.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
Sure. So, just to reiterate, I'd say good soft skills are important.
There are a few different paths you can initially take. I remember in undergrad, a lot of people wanted to go the investment banking route, which is great for that. Being transparent, typically you need a 4.0 GPA, president of a fraternity, president of the investment club, and multiple high accolades on campus with a perfect GPA, unless you go to a target school like Harvard or Stanford.
However, the more common path we see is starting in the call center right away. You kind of have to battle your way out, so to speak. Most people do that before better jobs and incomes come into play. Usually that takes three to five years for most people.
Really having those soft skills will help you out quite a bit. In my industry, to launch right away, being able to pass the test is very important. To do anything at any financial services prep, you need a Series 7 license. Unless you just want to move money from one account to another forever, you kind of need those licenses. So, I'd say being a good test taker is important.
Then, of course, there's the technical side. Attention to detail is very important because people tend to take it seriously when it's their account and their money. If you make mistakes, regardless of your level in the industry, folks tend to be pretty frustrated. So, just double-checking here where I can get attention to detail, I think.