There are a number of reasons why pursuing a career in the financial services industry can be an attractive option. Here are a few of the most significant ones.
Compensation: The industry is noted for compensation structures that are, overall, much more generous than in other sectors the economy. See our more detailed discussion of compensation for details.
Advancement: Compared to other industries, the financial industry tends to place less weight on seniority in judging the readiness of employees for advancement. High performers can move ahead regardless of age. As a result, working in financial services can be particularly attractive for ambitious young people in a hurry.
Bureaucracy: Many of the leading firms tend to be relatively thinly-staffed. There are comparatively few layers of management. Decision-making tends to be rather quick. Your opportunities for getting face time in front of senior management also tend to be excellent. That is, these firms do not normally operate in a highly formalized, chain of command fashion which is more typical of slower-footed traditional industrial companies. You also are more likely to juggle multiple responsibilities within a given job category, compared to norm in other companies.
Pace: A premium is placed on quick thinking, quick acting, and constant production of results. This can be trying for some people, exhilarating for others. The thin staffing and comparative lack of bureaucracy requires exceptionally hard work, focus and commitment to stay afloat, let alone to succeed. For those who do, however, the rewards are commensurately great.
Caveats: As a general rule, the banking and insurance sectors of financial services tend to be rather more bureaucratic, more deeply staffed and less remunerative at all levels than firms whose principal lines of business are in (for example) securities brokerage, securities trading, investment management, securities research and/or investment banking. These latter types of firms include what is commonly called Wall Street.
Profiles: For an idea of how a career in financial services can be either a destination in life, or a launching pad for high achievement in other fields, read about these people:
- Mike Bloomberg--Wall Street systems guru to media mogul to mayor
- Jon Corzine--from securities trader to Wall Street CEO to senator to governor
- Jim Cramer--from money manager to financial TV star
- Leslie Greis--competing with the men, in sports and in finance
- Mark McCormack--from college golfer to lawyer to trailblazing sports agent to family office founder
- Wayne Rogers--from actor to money manager
- Jim Spanarkel--from pro basketball player to financial advisor (with an announcing sideline)
- Martha Stewart-- from financial advisor to "domestic diva" to media mogul
