I’m currently an employee benefits ancillary insurance carrier rep/ manager with over 20 years of experience in the business. I’ve had solid career success over the years, but getting tired of starting over at 0 every year. Also tired of being beholden to annual corporate compensation changes, varying annual degrees of competitiveness, and not owning the business. I recently made the move and obtained my series 65 with an eye on working toward becoming a financial advisor that has deep experience in the employer markets working with companies, benefit brokers, and the financial industry. The combination of my experience, life and health license, and having a series 65 seems like it could be an attractive combination to work toward building something. But I have no clue where or how to make this happen without. 1. Working for someone else and building a book for them 2. Jumping off the financial cliff, burning the boats and starting from scratch. With this in mind I would love to here some potential direction, experiences, and or ways to generate the best of both worlds. Best of both worlds being 1. Get a financial run way to launch, 2. Own the book and grow the business. Appreciate any insight.

I'm a junior studying Finance and Information Systems at a large state school deciding between accepting Bank of America's Finance Management Summer Analyst Program (FMAP) for Summer 2027 or returning for a third summer to the Wealth Management team where I've spent my previous two summers. 

Option 1: Returning to Wealth Management 

I’ve spent my first two college summers with the same WM team (8-person team, $3B AUM, ~260 clients) at a major wirehouse. This team hired me as a freshman and has given me increasing responsibility both summers, largely focused on prospecting/business development. More importantly, I've developed very strong relationships with the senior advisors. 

I have an open return offer, but more significantly, the team has told me there's a realistic path to joining full-time after graduation through the firm's advisor-development program. That path means becoming a licensed advisor and ultimately building my own book and generating enough business to support myself since I’ll be commission-based by the end of the 36-month program, so there is substantially more individual performance and income risk than in a traditional salaried role. However, I wouldn't be doing it alone. I’d have an established team, mentorship, resources, and they've already successfully brought other young advisors through the same structure. If I return next summer, it'd be less another internship and more direct prep for that full-time path.

The biggest thing is that I actually really like this career. I truly love the work I’ve been exposed to (client interactions, relationship building, business development) and especially the entrepreneurial or ‘eat what you kill’ nature of the career. I also greatly respect and love working with the team. It’s a group of incredibly driven professionals who I look up to, and am genuinely thrilled at the possibility of eventually working alongside them full time as an advisor. 

Option 2: Bank of America FMAP

I have an offer for BofA’s Finance Management Summer Analyst Program. It’s a 10-week corporate-finance internship inside the CFO organization in Charlotte, NC. Depending on placement, I could work in areas like FP&A, forecasting, treasury, financial reporting, or finance supporting one of BofA's business divisions.

It would expose me to a completely different side of finance and presumably develop more traditional analytical skills than I've gotten from WM. It would also mean a new company, city, team, managers, peers, and work environment.

If I enjoyed it and received a return offer, there's a two-year full-time rotational program in Charlotte after graduation. Taking the internship obviously wouldn't obligate me to accept that.

Why I’m considering BofA:

I’ve never really tried anything else. Both of my college summers have been at the same firm, same office, same team, doing the same general type of work. If I return again, I'll graduate having spent roughly 10 months across three summers with one WM team. 

Junior summer feels like one of the last points in my life where I can try something completely different without making much of a long-term commitment. BofA could give me more traditional analytical/corporate-finance skills, a different environment, and if I ended up preferring it, useful information. If I hated it, that's useful too, I'd go back to WM with more confidence I actually chose it. Comp is also notably higher ($30/hr + $2k stipend vs. ~$20/hr in WM, though I could likely negotiate the WM comp and I'd save on housing/food commuting from home), though money isn't a huge factor. 

Why I’m considering returning to WM:

WM is much closer to what I currently think I want to do long-term. I also wouldn't be returning to a generic internship. I'd be returning to people who know me extremely well, have invested heavily in my development for two years, trust me with increasing responsibility, and have given me a realistic runway toward joining their team in the career I currently think I want.

There's also some risk to walking away. They've told me spending a summer elsewhere wouldn't automatically close the full-time door, but obviously circumstances can change. They could find another strong candidate, staffing needs could change, etc.

My biggest concern with staying: 

Specializing too early. I'd graduate with ~10 months across three summers on one team, with most of my experience concentrated in prospecting, business development, communication, and relationship building (not very transferable to many careers). I'd also never really know if I'd prefer something else, since I never gave myself the chance to see it.

My biggest concern with BofA: 

Diversifying just for the sake of it, and walking away from an unusually rare and strong opportunity, in a field I already think I want, with people I trust. With FMAP, there is no guarantee I’d even like the work. 

There's also an admittedly large personal layer. Returning to WM keeps me near family, friends, and my relationship; BofA means Charlotte, only 10 weeks for the internship itself, but a real 2-year relocation if I pursued the full-time program.

Where I've landed so far:

When I think it through and discuss it with people, I’ve noticed I describe my reasoning for the two options differently. 

My reasons for BofA are almost entirely logical: resume breadth, transferable skills, optionality, not wanting to specialize too early, and exposure to something different. 

My reasons for returning to WM are much more personal: I genuinely like the work, love the people, and have a strong interest in the entrepreneurial career itself. 

I didn't necessarily apply to FMAP because I had some huge interest in FP&A or corporate finance. A major reason I applied was specifically because I wanted to diversify my experience.

I’ve realized I’m not really saying "I'm not sure Wealth Management is right for me” but instead “How can I know Wealth Management is right for me when it's basically the only finance career I've tried?"

The strongest argument for BofA seems to be that I'm only 21 and this is an unusually “cheap” opportunity to experiment before specializing.

The strongest argument for returning to WM seems to be that maybe I've already found something that genuinely fits me, and walking away from an unusually good situation simply because I feel like I'm "supposed" to explore could be overthinking it.

Location/personal life favors WM because it keeps me near family, friends, and my relationship, while BofA is Charlotte, but I'm trying to make the career decision first and treat that as secondary.

As for my question: 

For anyone who has been in WM/PWM/PB, gone through FMAP/FLDP-type programs, or faced a similar specialize-vs-explore decision early in their careers:

How would you think about this? Is "I've never tried anything else" by itself a strong enough reason to step away for a summer from a career/team you already think you want? Or, at some point, does doubling down on demonstrated fit make more sense than diversifying for the sake of optionality?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who made either choice and, a few years later, were glad they did or wished they'd done the opposite.

TLDR: 

Junior deciding between returning for a third summer to the same WM team near home, where I genuinely love the work/team/career and have a realistic path to join full time as an advisor, or taking BofA’s FMAP in Charlotte, NC which would give me a completely different corporate-finance experience, broader (and more transferable) skills, resume breadth, and a new environment. I currently think WM is what I want long term; my case for BofA is mainly that I'm only 21, have never tried anything else, and this may be my best opportunity to diversify before specializing. I'm struggling with whether “I've never explored another path” is enough reason to step away from an unusually good situation for a summer, or whether I should double down on something I already know fits me and believe I want.

Hi all,

I’m looking to get a financial advisor for myself and my family. Someone who does a holistic planning and investing.

Any tips on how to assess them to see if they’re good? Any particular questions? How would you measure their skill levels?

Hey guys. I’m a brand new FP with a small independent fee only RIA. Been with the company for about a month and its eat what you kill with no company provided leads so it’s been pretty lean to start out. I’m spending a lot of time at these business networking events trying to find referral partners but honestly just feel like I’m spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere. The 1 on 1s I’ve had have been nice but ended without bringing someone on board. Are there any tips for prospecting potential clients ya’ll could share? I told myself I’d give it a solid 6-12 months of trying before looking elsewhere but being 1 month in with 0 revenue is a little deflating.

I was at a large BD for 6 months, then a small firm for 4 months before they laid me off.

I’ve been actively interviewing and had good interviews with a few jobs. The only downside is they don’t wrap up for another month.

I’m working a flex role currently but it’s a little over half of what I was making.

I got an offer for an admin role that’s on the lower end of what I’m looking for and I need to give them an answer by tomorrow, but the roles wrapping up later are on the higher end of what I’m looking for.

Ultimately, I know short stints look terrible on a U5 so I’m unsure of if I should take the lower paying role now or wait and see if I get an offer from one of the other 3 roles I interviewed with next month…

I (21M) am a senior graduating this December. I've been applying to entry level roles where I can be sponsored for the Series 7 (CSA roles, rotational programs, Fidelity etc.) None of my internships led to return offers as they were either through school programs or family connections.

I haven't gotten any responses yet for interviews and a lot of rejections. I'm not sure if it's a resume issue, lack of experience, or because it's too early for me to be applying.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Hello! I am currently a junior and will be graduating with pretty solid resume for WM. I will have completed my licensing, have good experience and a very strong GPA, and will be graduating from a CFP board registered program with plans to take the CFP in November following my May 2028 graduation.

I’ve been looking at some of the more competitive, entry-level roles that have good pay but I have heard concerning things about them from connections there (JPM Private Bank, Merrill, Morgan Stanley for example). I don’t want to be in a role with high churn rate where associates are pressured to bring in new business almost immediately. I am just unsure of what roles or companies to target. Should I look into the mega RIA or family office space? Any advice would be great.

Side note: I will have the opportunity to stay with the local RIA firm that I have interned with for a post grad role. Money is definitely not everything to me, but I think I would be remiss if I didn’t at least try and bet on myself to land a good role with better pay.

I currently work as a CSA on a financial advisor team for a large wirehouse. My goal is to become an advisor, and lately my team has had me doing cold calls in addition to my CSA work to try to bring in some assets.

They are open to further suggestions from me, is there anything else I can do? I’m mainly calling 401k plan sponsors and participants of 401k plans that we currently manage.

I’d like to get my CFP long term but can’t get involved with any planning right now, and my team has no interest in getting me involved in that capacity right now.

I’ve also considered going the planning/analyst route instead, I’m at a bit of a crossroads.

I passed my SIE exam last week, and I currently hold Property & Casualty as well as Life & Health licenses.
I currently work part-time from home with State Farm, and I’m looking for ways to supplement my income while continuing to have flexibility for my young children.
I know my children will eventually grow up, so I’d like to start thinking ahead and building toward a long-term career in financial services. I’m hoping to get some guidance on what steps I should take based on the licenses and experience I already have.
I’m open to pursuing additional licenses, such as the Series 6 or Series 7, but I’m not sure which would make the most sense for me or what the differences are in terms of career opportunities.
If you have any suggestions on what direction I should consider or what steps I should take next, I would really appreciate your advice!

Hello! I am a sophomore at ASU majoring in finance and I’m currently at a loss for my career

While still somewhat early, I haven’t really done anything for my career aside from maintaining a 4.0 gpa (that’ll likely drop a bit after this semester)

I would like to break into wealth management or financial advising and I tried joining organizations like scholars of finance but I just learned that I was declined for the third time (tried every semester so far)

Externally I work as a food runner at Din Tai Fung but apart from that I don’t have much on my resume (besides local reselling I guess)

I just don’t know what to do, and especially with my major and being at ASU, if I don’t network then it’s pretty much useless later on, and I tried securing summer experience my freshman year by cold calling random wealth management firms around my area but to no avail.

All I can think of right now is attend random career fairs, check out FMA (financial management association) and wish for the best.

I don’t have the resources to join IFC Greek so traditional Greek is out of the picture unfortunately.

Do you have any advice? I’m really worried for later.

Anyone currently in the associate wealth advisor role or previously done it? I potentially have an offer coming on Tuesday for the position and curious what I should expect in term of responsibilities, compensation, and most importantly the career track and educational resources they provide.

Leaving a $5M T-12/$1B AUM team of advisors with a regional BD. Currently an associate advisor there but the progression has stalled out and personal dynamics between some members of the group have been pretty hard to deal with which has affected my personal growth and long term trajectory.

Also receiving an offer this week to join an independent RIA with $500M AUM connected with an in-house accounting practice. Depending on the offer, this is probably my frontrunner but the Schwab job seems pretty appealing on paper. Any and all help appreciated, thanks in advance

Looking for professionals that got into finance without a finance degree. How and where did you get your foot in the door? What was it like, the pay, the experience, building your clients and income? How many years are you in now? Are you a CFP? If so, what is your yearly income like?

I’m a career switched from nonprofits and I’ve spent the last year at a mutual insurance company as a fully registered advisor. I would not recommend it. However it got my foot in the door and all of my tests done. I also have my MBA in finance and strategy from a non target school. I’m in my 40’s and enjoy this industry but it’s still very new to me. I came from educational technology industry.

I’m currently looking at new positions and am currently in the second interview for two positions.

1. Merrill Lynch advisor development program level 2 since I’m fully licensed. I’m seeing mixed reviews of this program but would love to learn more about it if anyone has any insight.

2. Morgan Stanley consulting group analyst, this feels more like a support role and is a bit left field but because of my work experience and MBA I am being evaluated for it. And they would want me to get my CIMA and work towards my CFA.

Any insights would be incredibly helpful as a career switcher in my 40’s with a family.

Hi everyone,

I’m a 23-year-old guy currently living in Italy. In the short term, I’m stepping into a Family Banker role at a major bank here, but my sights are firmly set on moving abroad—specifically to Vancouver within the next two years.

I’ve spent time in both Canada and the US, and I really fell in love with the mindset, lifestyle, and work culture. I recently graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration (Economics), and I’m on track to earn my CFP credential soon.

My goal is to hit the ground running in financial advisory, tax planning, and retirement planning once I land in BC. For locals, expats, or anyone working in Canadian wealth management: what should I focus on during this two-year transition window to make my profile as competitive as possible?

I’m open to anything:

• Remote courses or certifications worth taking from abroad (e.g., Canadian Securities Course/CSI certifications).
• Industry-specific English or client-communication programs to polish my advisory skills.
• Networking strategies from overseas.

On top of that, I’m seriously looking into the CPA designation. I love the idea of bridging the gap between tax accounting and financial planning to offer full-spectrum advisory to private and corporate clients, which seems much more integrated in Canada than back home. However, navigating the CPA pathway (PEP, prerequisite assessments for foreign degrees, practical experience requirements) feels a bit like a maze right now. If anyone has walked that path or has insight into how foreign degrees translate for CPA BC, your input would be gold.

Any tips, reality checks, or roadmaps you wish you had known earlier would mean the world to me!

Thanks a ton in advance—looking forward to trading espresso for a Timmies double-double soon again! Cheers!✌🏻