Coming back to the industry after a weird path

Hi guys,

Want to discuss my current to better understand the options I have in front of me and what is the right thing to do.

Italian, 31yo, graduated from a target school in EU (Bocconi) with a MSc in Finance, decently strong GPA.

Spent 3 years working in a brokerage fund(unknown one), reaching out CEO/CFOs of listed companies proposing equity products; done this while I was studying fulltime for my Master Degree. Did well during COVID, so didn't quit nor searched other jobs, but my skills became stagnant and I basically never did a financial model cause my job was more sales than anything else.

Graduated at 29 (started the Master degree at 26, took me one year more than expected because I was working too) and, instead of heading toward finance, I don't know exactly why, but I headed toward tech sales for financial technology. Worked for a couple of companies, now in one that is overall very good and offers me good conditions of work overall (making slighly below 6 figures, fully remote, 9-5, basically, nice people all around).

So far, life is kinda happy. But I am starting to doubt that this career path satisfies me and I miss being on the markets. I am kinda old, overall, but I am still trying to find my way, some sort of.

What I know about myself: I like working, and I feel like I am slacking at closing my laptop at 18; I would like something more challenging. I like sales, cause your contribution is more measurable and you have more control over your schedule. I like finance, and I should be already decent at it, tho I might need to refresh some skills. I traded derivatives and I have strong knowledge of greek, at least. I am good at cold calling and outbound in general. I come from a strong name brand.

Career Paths I am considering:
- ETFs sales for institutions (Franklin Tempton, Fidelity, DWS and so; not sure where to start from)
- Asset manager sales (not sure where to start from either, there are very few jobs posted all around)
- Sales & Trading positions? Would that be an option? Could I restart at 31 with an internship in that department of an IB? 
- FX sales (I am seeing many sales desk providing this services in EU, although those are basically boiler rooms in which people make hundreds of calls per day. Not bad, not good, I would consider that as well).

What I am looking for, overall: a career path in finance that is structured (meaning that there is a clear pathway for promotions ahead) + is sales/quota/target oriented. Basically a business development role in finance with a defined seniority path.

I don't know if this is the right place to ask for this, but I am kinda trying to understand what is gonna be my next move and I would like to come back to finance. Ideally, since I only speak italian and English, I would have to look for in Italy, UK, Ireland, Netherlands or UAE. Would be happy to relocate. Currently based in Milan.

1 Comments
 

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