Blue collar -> finance advice

Hey guys. I'm seeking some input from those with all the experience to help me out with a little advice. Basically, I'm in my younger 30s making a switch to the finance world from the blue collar world. Did 10 years in the nuclear navy and now a few years into civilian power plant ops. I'm halfway through my finance degree now. I plan on quiting my job next spring to go to school full time. I graduate spring 2026 and then I also have enough benefits to get me through 85-100% of a full time MBA program and I'm confident one of the local schools here in San Diego will pick me up. I'll have the opportunity to intern over 2025/2026 summers to get something under my belt. Sucks I'm starting later in life, but I'm grateful I'm pretty much getting a full ride through graduate school. I obviously won't have any technical finance experience, but I'm wondering if there's any advice for me to look into avenues that I may have some leverage into. I'm a single dad, home owner in San Diego and make about 150k right now so i have a lot risk dropping my current career. Getting back up to my current salary quickly is ideal obviously. Anywhere I should focus on internships with? What do you guys think? Thanks!

2 Comments
 

Can you move cities? Assuming no since youre a home owner with a family. Not sure if there are abundant of front office roles in SD that pays well (more than your salary now).

If yes, the most obvious and available route for you will be MBA -> IB associate role, which would pay 200k+.

I guess your situation is a bit tough compared to other ppl here

 

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