MSF Graduate - Proj. Manager w/No Finance Experience, Need Advice
I'm an Aug 2019 graduate from Boston College with a MSF who's been attempting and failing to migrate into finance. I was originally a project manager for higher education companies for around 5 years, but found little career growth and had little passion for the industry. After I wrapped up the last of my projects, I decided to let my contract expire and pursue a Masters degree in order to shift careers and start anew. My interests align with asset management, equity research, and corp. development and strategy, but given my success rate I really just don't want my Masters to go to waste.
I've made little headway in regards to shifting careers and am in need of advice. I graduated last Aug (2019) with ~3.6 GPA and passed the CFA Level I exam that December, but applicant tracking systems and hiring managers don't seem to put much weight into it; I also doubt the data science certification from Harvard Extension counts for much. I'm fairly good at programming, as I tried to automate a variety of manual tasks while I was managing projects. In order to not have a complete gap on my resume since graduating, I've been volunteering my time since January (2020), helping out a startup that aims at connecting VCs and other startups, but it's been a nightmare with development and I don't see the 4 months of free labor I've provided amounting to much. I've been helping them out with setting up data collection channels and filing analytic reports; making recommendations for UX/UI designs and setting the priority list for bug fixes and new features; and researching VCs and Angels that could provide an early seed round of funding, along with setting up presentations for those pitches.
In regards to networking, I've attempted to cold call university alumni on LinkedIn and setup informal coffee dates, but nothing has ever turned fruitful from those connections. People are friendly and I try to stay in contact, but those messages haven't led to any potential interviews. BC's MSF is a one-year intensive program, so it didn't provide the chance for an internship. While I still had access to the career center, they just mentioned that no-one had come to them seeking my specific skillset, while the applications I've sent out through their platform have nearly a 0% success rate. This has led me to hire a career coach for assistance, but honestly the advice she's provided are lackluster and don't address my primary obstacles.
Clearly my resume and cover letters aren't speaking to managers, so I was wondering if people had an idea as to what project manager skills would compliment and improve the back-offices of financial firms.
Qui veniam pariatur distinctio neque quia. Iusto mollitia porro voluptas nam ullam. Sint deleniti reprehenderit voluptate sit. Et cumque debitis quibusdam repellat exercitationem harum accusamus molestiae.
Voluptas similique dolores esse quis consequatur est magni. Aut eius dolores magnam soluta voluptate. Dolores esse est sit quia voluptas.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...