How I Got My 6-Figure Finance Job Right Out of College

[@jaasrahh3479]

Aaron, You deserve where you are right now it’s all your “hardwork” and you have many more achievements to unlock which I am sure you will. Kudos

[@aaron_yao]

Thank you for your kind comment!

[@elionchong4454]

Graduated in 2021 with a finance degree. Was late with internships and worked 2 after graduating. One was for a retirement firm which was mind-numbing work and the other was for an accounting firm. Now I’m working full time as an AP specialist.. Trying to get into the finance world and looking at CFP and other certificates to boost my resume but I’m still planning out the general path. Need to put in the work to get results 😮‍💨 Appreciate your insight!

[@aaron_yao]

Yessir! Consistent effort is the key. Good luck on your journey, I know it will pay off someday.

[@auseran]

Ohh god! I am in my Junior year in Economics in a non-target school ( not even in US). And the passion about yourself is incredible, i do wanted to attend film school and make movies of my own as well but life brought me here. And, just like you, i searched about the high paid jobs to cover up my expenses for my indie movie in the future and i find Investment Banking. Now i sit as an exchange student in second semester and hoping to find an internship related to the corporate finance. I was so uplifted about your story. I really want to send a message or an email to you to get further information, if you are okay with that of course. Thanks for sharing your story, it really felt great to see someone at the other part of the world that shares a same vision like me, hope my future will be bright as yours. And hoping the best for you.

[@aaron_yao]

Wow that's incredible that we share such a similar story! I would be happy to chat/provide further information. And thank you for the comment - helping others who faced similar challenges as I once had is exactly what I hope to accomplish in this video and in future videos. Best of luck to your future endeavors as well and I'm certain you will do great things!

[@nathanchoi99]

This is awesome Aaron! I feel so motivated after watching this

[@GarryFanata]

I’m not into finance at all but I liked the video! Will be following and seeing how your channel grows!

[@aaron_yao]

Appreciate that man! Welcome!

[@thainels6587]

Nice story, I watched your most recent day in the life, keep up the great work, best of success to you and your gf🙏🏽

[@aaron_yao]

Thank you very much! Wishing you success as well!

[@InvestingExplained1]

Hey, keep it up man. Great videos

[@aaron_yao]

Thanks you too! Love the content on your channel too man.

[@doshidhruvinjayesh]

Thanks for the amazing insights in this video. Can you make a video about different departments in an IB firm & what functions do they perform? Maybe also mention more about your experience in Commodity trading & how do market makers make money? Thanks!

[@aaron_yao]

Thanks a lot! And thank you for your suggestion, stay tuned for topics like that in the future!

[@777LRM]

Useful video, I’m about to graduate from mid table UK university and looking to get a finance job in London but lack experience. Seems like it’s going to be an up hill battle

[@linglee8632]

You will also be up against grads from target Russell group unis - Oxbridge, Imperial, LSE, Warwick, York, Edinburgh etc. Do the IMC exam and read Wall street journal, CNBC so show motivation

[@aaron_yao]

It sure is but one that is more than winnable. It may take more time but stay persistent and I’m absolutely certain you’ll make it!

[@777LRM]

@@linglee8632 yeah on paper my cv is far less impressive than that of a Russel group graduate, my uni is about 30th in the complete university guide so isn’t the worst. I’m considering taking a different approach by emailing financial companies who are not actively advertising job vacancies in hopes I won’t be directly compared to those from target unis. If I’m unsuccessful I’ll consider insurance. I am pretty up to date with market knowledge to manage my private investments but haven’t looked into the imc

[@henrymoore3905]

How good is york for finance prospects mate? I am going next year wondering if i will be able to hack it into the industry ​@@linglee8632

[@Johnnytrades-LTE]

congrats on 2k subs. keep it up

[@aaron_yao]

Appreciate it 🙏

[@AsapShawn]

I’m going through the same thing as you did. Except for the family drama. 😪 I just graduated with my finance degree and I’m having a hard time finding a good job.

[@aaron_yao]

Hey sorry to hear that man, sometimes you just gotta find whatever finance-related jobs are available and build up your resume. Also, it’s a numbers game so keep applying to as many places as possible. Best of luck!

[@DigitalKurisu]

Any luck now? And what Uni did you graduate from

[@MDPaulo]

Great stuff - keep at it 👍🏼

[@aaron_yao]

Appreciate it man!

[@mekki148]

Love the content!

[@aaron_yao]

Thanks! :D

[@adamramirez1]

what's the background music called? also great video, keep going!

[@mohannd70]

Thank you for the content, what's your thoughts on the current situation in the market? I would love to see a video about it.

[@aaron_yao]

Thanks for your input! Stay tuned, I definitely been considering a video on the current state of the market

[@isabellabernal478]

Hi! I really enjoyed this video and I can relate a lot. I am currently a freshman at a community college about to transfer to a 4 year for my sophomore year. I am also majoring Finance BBA. My dream is to study abroad. Do you think you could have a video how you applied and how you got to go to london?

[@aaron_yao]

Glad you enjoyed the video! If you would like to study abroad, I would look into what programs your school offers and make sure you have all the prerequisites completed. After that, it was simply a matter of applying for me! Best of luck to you!

[@drtee3]

That summer . He must have gotten a B+ for Math

[@aaron_yao]

😂

[@CashKem]

great video man

[@aaron_yao]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lapatria100]

good stuff man. have you always been good at delivering speeches to a group of people or even to your boss?

[@aaron_yao]

Thanks man! Public speaking has never really been my strong suit (as is with most ppl I assume lol) but doing presentations at work and making these videos has definitely helped me practice!

[@andresespinoza1120]

How long was a typical day for you’re internships vs a typical day of when you finally got you’re job?

[@tube.brasil]

First: I'm an American. Second: I'm an American. Third: I'm an American. In Brazil Goldman Sachs pays R$ 2700 (US$ 550) a month for an intern who is really a part time worker.

[@aaron_yao]

Fair point! Definitely blessed to be in the US

[@TheKrystolMethod]

I just had my very first FA interview and it went well. This will be a new role for me if offered. I meet with the VP of Finance on Monday for my second interview. Any advice or tips? I have no finance degree.

[@aaron_yao]

Glad to hear your first interview went well! Since you've gotten pass the first round, I would guess you've already checked the main boxes that they're looking for. My advice would be to then focus on showing the qualities that make them want to work with you and to demonstrate genuine interest. Good luck!

[@TheKrystolMethod]

@@aaron_yao Ok thanks!

[@Nchinnam]

Hey aaron im in a pickle right now. I graduated with physics and math in may (few weeks ago) and it was too late for me to apply to quant/risk analyst programs cuz they ended in November for this year. I have 3 years of undergrad research experience in programing in python doing monte Carlo stuff and tools that could translate to finance stuff but i was too focused on physics and realized i want to go into finance too late.i only started applying spring semester of my senior year with only hard skills and no internships. Ive started to apply to small banks for quant dev or model validation roles but tis hard to even get an interview. got any tips on how i can try to get my foot in the door ive been networking and sending folks my resume.

[@aaron_yao]

Try reaching out to alumni in your school who either work in your desired role or might know someone who is. Since they've been in your shoes, they will probably be more likely to help you. Also if you haven't already, I would orient the skills and experiences on your resume to show how they can be applied to finance. Doing some finance-related personal projects could help bridge the gap as well. Best of luck!

[@xViiiZe]

I did a science major but I want to start a career in finance. Any tips on how I could do that?

[@aaron_yao]

Here's an article that gives a pretty comprehensive guide on how to make the transition -> mergersandinquisitions.com/getting-a-finance-job-from-engineering/ Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@sanjogkarki5977]

Great Content, Can you share the books and resources you used ?

[@aaron_yao]

To learn about IB, “Investment Banking” by Rosenbaum and Pearl is good. I also went on sites such as Mergers and Inquisitions. However, I didn’t end up going into banking - for learning about markets I mostly used online websites like investopedia or KZbin to learn about market mechanics/dynamics.

[@d_15745]

Is there a way of getting an internship after being out of school for a while? I have a finance degree and have literally done nothing with it. My resume is full of retail jobs. I have been doing a valuation analyst program, DCF, 3-statement models etc. What can I do? Just subscribed to your channel! Thanks for the content!

[@aaron_yao]

I don't see why not, although I would probably emphasize the relevant finance knowledge you mentioned on your resume. Welcome to the channel! Hope you enjoy your stay! :D

[@d_15745]

@@aaron_yao really appreciate you taking the time to answer! Much love man!

[@happyfeetlives5878]

Investment banking…. What free time?

[@zugrad]

You never mentioned, did you get trained for the position or not?

[@aaron_yao]

Yeah there was a several week long long training program!

[@lolamanny1011]

I’m in the same boat…. Any advice guys. I’m in my last year and I don’t have an internship.

[@aaron_yao]

Apply to everything and network a ton. Don't give up, you got this!

[@dawsonguam5700]

How long/much internship experience do you think you would need to land a 6 figure finance job? Also when you say experience, you mean finance related experience right?

[@aaron_yao]

Yes, ideally finance experience and I would say at least 2 internships would be solid, although it really depends on the type and quality of internship.

[@samk7717]

May I ask what was the program name you completed in London?

[@aaron_yao]

It was a program through my university!

[@drewstamos8128]

Do u have a Bloomberg terminal?

[@aaron_yao]

Yes I use one that the company provides.

[@SkillsofAesthetics]

how you view the current market drop? have you revealed your investment portfolio?I like your channel

[@aaron_yao]

Thanks! Personally, I'm buying (not financial advice). I have not revealed my portfolio, maybe for a future video.

[@SkillsofAesthetics]

@@aaron_yao ok thanks. Yeah i dont know much , I just buy small amount everymonth in s&p

[@nihonpark7058]

Matr do you think cracking a cfa would help out getting into ib 😊

[@aaron_yao]

Definitely

[@mikefischler579]

Is a risk analyst on the buy side or sell side?

[@aaron_yao]

Both!

[@asn1238]

6:35 What are some of the books you read to help you become a financial analyst?

[@asn1238]

Great video btw

[@aaron_yao]

There are a lot of books published by Wiley that go in depth into financial analysis concepts but they can be a bit dense. Worth reading if you really want to dig into specifics. Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel is a good place to start though that covers a lot of topics at a more surface level but more digestible format.

[@flaxiodiax]

Did you practice Excel

[@aaron_yao]

No, 95% I learned on the job

[@zedd.]

What's ur linkedin?

[@aaron_yao]

If you look up my name and Uconn it should come up

[@zedd.]

@@aaron_yao thank u I found it

[@rajendrakalburgi7281]

Have a query for you. Internship in working capital management or financial management planning? Hope you could help me with it. Love from india🇮🇳

[@aaron_yao]

Hey Rajendra, thanks for the support! If by financial management planning you mean being a financial advisor to individuals, I would say broadly speaking, going into the fund management space would offer a higher ceiling.

[@rajendrakalburgi7281]

@@aaron_yao financial planning for banks that's the internship i got but i have i bigger goal of getting into investment banking like you my friend

[@am7016]

What is your salary, not the Number, just range

[@aaron_yao]

Not ready to disclose that just yet, perhaps for a future video 😄

[@donuts3535]

Hey Aaron! I am a 17 year old and I am leaning towards a technology degree like cybersecurity or a business degree like finance like how you are. I am also a senior in high school. Is there any advice that you have for me in terms of choosing between the 2 majors? Like maybe the pros and cons vice versa

[@aaron_yao]

Hey! I can't speak for a cybersecurity degree but a degree like finance or economics is very versatile and can open up career opportunities in many lucrative industries like corporate finance, consulting, and banking. And in my experience, business degrees are usually not too demanding academically. You can also do dual major as well if you can't decide between the two!