Advice on career change

So I am a transfer student starting at UCLA in Fall as a Physiological Science major. I was originally going for medical school but last year I became very interested in finance. I decided that I enjoy this much more and am now trying to break into the finance realm. As of now I have quite a bit of Bio-medical research under my belt, but other than that no real experience in the industry. I did start a moch portfolio two years ago, getting a return of 45% since inception. I also opened a 25K portfolio of my own eight months ago and have received a 42% return YTD.

Due to the fact that I'll already be attending school as a science major (to switch to economics or finance I would have to return to the community college for a year and a half) what is the best way for me to break into a entry level finance job, preferably financial analyst? My goal is to become a PM, although HFM would also be great due to the fact that I love global markets and analyzing great growth opportunities over a wide variety of sectors.

At this point I do have a great GPA and will be going to graduate school to receive my MBA after I graduate. I am being mentored by a FA currently and am selling life insurance for his company. Would something like that help at all? He said he would teach me about wealth management but I have heard FA is not as good as analyst to become PM...

I am kind of in a rut. I love finance and have incredible drive. I am always learning what I can and am fairly successful with my own portfolios. If anyone has any advice on what plan of action I might take or maybe an experience similar to mine I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Molestias non et sit voluptatibus velit sint. Voluptatem unde rerum nisi quis. Dolorem minus totam officiis quasi dolorem deleniti adipisci. Saepe dicta aut voluptas. Reprehenderit excepturi ut eveniet modi quam soluta.

Repellat maiores libero maxime quod ipsam error. Voluptas excepturi deleniti sit rerum at. Ex fuga accusamus quod sint. Sunt totam nihil libero dolores quisquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”