Should I work in the Finance department for my first job?

I'm 22 years old, and a fresh university graduate with a degree in Business and specialization in Banking and Finance. I graduated with a upper second-class honours (the US equivalent of GPA 3.3). I was offered a job in the Finance department of an insurance company, with the usual job responsibilities of reporting, forecasting and budgeting.

I really want to pursue a career in Asset Management, but it has been difficult to secure even a job interview. Should I take on the job in the Finance department first, gain a bit of work experience and pursue CFA qualifications at the same time, and then re-apply for a job in the asset management industry after 1-2 years? Or should I still persist in my job-search for an analyst position at an asset management firm?

Would appreciate some advice on this!

 

I'm finding myself in the same boat. If anyone would have any suggestions, especially if taking a Finance department job (any particular positions within Finance) that might be helpful or applicable in the AM field. I'm going to be entering a rotational Finance position within a large Insurance company after graduation, and was wondering if there were any departments that would help my case for this switch into the AM division of the company.

 
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