My route to becoming an adviser didn’t involve higher education. After leaving school I felt a bit lost, having no desire to go to university nor did I have any idea what I wanted my profession to look like.
I only knew that I wanted my career to be meaningful and in something that helps people. At one point I considered becoming a paramedic, but I was (and still am) petrified of blood.
Living in London, I decided to get a job in the city until I had worked out my career path and secured an administrator role for a global financial services firm.
This role really opened by eyes and I realised that no matter what stage we are in our lives, managing our financial health is important – there are so many things we don’t get a second chance to do.
I decided that I wanted to learn how to help others take care of themselves financially and this job is so much more than simply investing money or encouraging people to save. I get to build relationships with people from all different aspects of life, nurture them, educate them and support them to achieve their financial goals, no matter how big or small they may be.
I spent the next seven years working my way up through the ranks from administrator to paraplanner before becoming a financial planner in 2019.
The qualifications you need to become an IFA, as for many professionals in similar sectors, are intense and all self-study which is not easy when you have a full-time job. I will never forget that feeling of self-achievement when I got that final exam pass and promotion to financial adviser, I was incredibly proud of myself… and relieved of course!
My second biggest career achievement was being listed in the Top 30 Next Generation of Financial Advisers in the UK in December 2020. To be recognised for your passion and efforts reminds me how worthwhile my job is.
I have an ongoing goal of never staying in my comfort zone by doing at least five different things each year to really challenge myself.
While I am certainly not the youngest in this profession, I still have so much to learn and so much room to grow. The first challenge I set myself many years ago was to start networking as the very thought absolutely petrified me. However, I learned that it is invaluable in growing our business and quickly realised how much I enjoy it!
One of my challenges this year is to chair the board of Generation Next. I have never been part of a board before, but I am determined to give it my all and make a real change for the next generation of business leaders in our region!
There are a lot of barriers we face when starting out in our career and in business, simply being “young” can be one of them. Not knowing or having the resources available, the finance, the communication or even the opportunity can add so much pressure and take a huge toll on our confidence or how we grow as young business professionals.
These are obstacles I have experienced and this is why Generation Next really sits close to my heart. Having the opportunity to be a part of a community which provides the tools to support and better ourselves is amazing.
In the short space of time I have been a member of Generation Next, I have learned how to better market myself and our business, improve my leadership skills, make responsible and sustainable changes, along with meeting a ton of amazing likeminded people who are keen to support and grow together!
Generation Next is a support network for young professionals aged between 18 and 35 based in the East Midlands. Its membership package gives young workers access to its events programme – which connects delegates with likeminded individuals, as well as leading business professionals from across the region, to build their networks and skills. For more information on how to become a Generation Next member, click here.
