Are graduate schemes the only way of getting into finance, banks, investment banking, or asset management?

Are graduate schemes the only way of getting into finance, banks, investment banking, or asset management? Can you send your CVs to local finance firms such as banks, financial advisory, wealth management, asset management, private equity or consulting? Did anybody get into the industry the non-traditional way? Did anyone get into a smaller finance firm without much experience or active job advertisement from the firm?

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