Industry-Specific Career Paths

After teaching 12,000+ students, spending 6+ years in Financial Services (including Big4s), and mentoring 1,000+ students, I’ve compiled a practical guide on what to upskill to build a career in Finance: 𝟭. 𝗖𝗙𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝘀: Whether or not you sit for the exam is your choice. But borrow the CFA Level 1 & 2 books from friends and get thorough with Equity, Corporate Finance, FRA, Portfolio Management, Quants. 𝟮. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹: Finance = analysis, and spreadsheets are the foundation. I’ve shared a 3-hour free podcast with 20+ case studies for you to get hands-on. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸. 𝟯. 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗜: Reporting is at the heart of most finance roles today. Learn at least the fundamentals. 𝟰. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Be able to build a 3-statement model, and understand revenue drivers, cost drivers, capex, and debt funding. 𝟱. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Pick one sector (banking, pharma, real estate, etc.) and learn it deeply like the key players, ratios, SWOT, business cycles, govt rules. This will set you apart in analysis. 𝟲. 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀: Choose two finance domains (Investment Banking, Equity Research, FP&A, Big4 Consulting all are different) and do structured courses from good content creators. 𝟳. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Draft well, speak with clarity, and practice brevity. This cannot be learned in classrooms - it comes only from exposure. (I mentor on this, happy to help!) 𝟴. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆: Invest money, apply for IPOs, do trading (small amount only), read books, listen to podcasts take bets and experiments. The more mistakes, at an early age, better it is. 𝟵. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Career opportunities take time to mature. Just like childbirth, the process needs patience and effort. I once attended a "Career options in Finance for CFAs" seminar → met someone → got referred to ISB for Excel training 5 years later. So start Building - the right Ecosystem for yourself. If you know Shraddha Kapoor is on LinkedIn but don't know what is =COPILOT or FlexiCap fund or Leila Gharani or Ray Dalio or Regression then you are follwing the wrong people. Fun tip: Start watching Billions (Showtime) and Silicon Valley today. Don’t rush into Python: First master Excel, Power BI, and Financial Modelling. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: I have 30+ mentors, and I mentor 1,000+ people. Mentors aren’t gifted - you have to earn them, don't expect free help without building rapport or providing value. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Finance is important, but life is bigger than IRR, or ROI. Go on dates, follow hobbies, and be passionate & support causes. That balance will make you sharper in your career too. #ChinmayaAmteExcel

My first SaaS job, I made $36,000 a year as an SDR. 10 years and six promotions later, I pulled in $1.63M. Here’s 7 things I learned to grow your SaaS sales career to $1M: 1. You have to sell enterprise deals. At least, if you want to make seven-figures. That’s not to say enterprise is “better” than SMB or mid market. But it’s simple economics. Close seven-figure deals? Make six-figure commission checks. Close four-figure deals? Make three-figure commission checks. Simple. You can make multiple six figures selling to SMBs. But probably not seven-figures. 2. Your market matters more than your product. Most salespeople don’t “get” this. As a business, it’s better to have a “starving crowd” than it is to have a “delicious burger.” Hungry markets buy. Passionate markets buy. Indifferent markets, don’t. No matter how great the product. 3. “Who” matters more than “what” or “how.” Get in front of: A) the right people, at B) the right accounts If you do that, you’ll double your success. If you’re in front of the right “who,” even mediocre selling technique wins. If you’re in front of the wrong “who,” even great selling technique loses. 4. Your boss dictates your success. At least, a lot of it. And more than you would like to know (or admit to). Bad boss? Tough to have a great career. Great boss? Tough to have a bad career. Choose your boss wisely. Make sure they are someone you aspire to emulate. 5. People buy to relieve pain (more than any other reason). Write this down: “Money follows pain.” Big pain? Big dollars. Big checks. Little pain? Little dollars. Little checks. Uncover the business pain. Build the business pain. Quantify the business pain And watch your commission checks soar. 6. Business acumen sells. Repeat after me: “I am not a salesperson. I am a business person who happens to sell.” Say that a few times. If you’re going to close big deals, you have to: - talk to executives. - talk to senior leaders. - talk to decision makers. Want to know who those people WANT to talk to? People with business acumen. Want to know who those people DON’T want to talk to? Clueless salespeople that ask:  “sO hOw doEs tHat iMpAct yoU pErsOnAlLy?” 7. Become a “learning machine.” The best advice I ever got? “The average American spends 4 hours a day on mindless web surfing. “Take an hour of that four hours every day. “And spend that hour reading and learning. “Do that for a few years, and you’ll never have to worry about money again. “In five years, you’ll wake up to a completely different life.” I took that to heart. In 10 years, I read over 500 books. Want to know the dividends that paid? Untold. I'm still doing that today. P.S. During that time, I listened to over 3,000 SaaS discovery call recordings in Gong. Here's 39 "best of the best" questions that sell I compiled: https://go.pclub.io/list

If you're pursuing a cloud certification path, here's a role-based roadmap (includes the latest GenAI certs toward the end) Here's how you can pick your learning path : 1. Solutions Architect Design scalable, secure, and cost-optimized architectures. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect Associate → Professional ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Solutions Architect Expert ↳ GCP: Associate Cloud Engineer → Cloud Architect 2. Cloud Data Engineer Build data pipelines, real-time processing, and analytics workflows. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect → Data Analytics Specialty ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Data Engineer Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Data Engineer 3. Software Developer (Cloud) Develop, deploy, and debug cloud-native applications. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Developer Associate ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Developer Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Cloud Developer 4. System Administrator Manage infrastructure, virtual machines, IAM, monitoring, and storage. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → SysOps Associate ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Administrator Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Cloud Engineer 5. DevOps / SRE / Platform Engineer Focus on CI/CD, IaC, automation, and reliability engineering. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Developer Associate → DevOps Pro ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Developer Associate → DevOps Expert ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → DevOps Engineer 6. Cloud Security Engineer Secure cloud workloads, enforce IAM, and manage threat detection. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → SysOps → Security Specialty ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Administrator → Security Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Security Engineer 7. Network Engineer Design and operate scalable and secure cloud networks. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect → Advanced Networking Specialty ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Network Engineer Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Network Engineer 8. ML / Generative AI Engineer Build, deploy, and scale ML models and GenAI applications. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect → Machine Learning Specialty → [NEW] Certified AI Practioner ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → AI Engineer Associate → [NEW] Azure AI Fundamentals ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → ML Engineer → [NEW] Generative AI Leader Quick Prep Tips: - Use hands-on labs: KodeKloud, Qwiklabs, Azure Labs - Leverage free tiers: AWS, Azure, GCP - Follow GitHub repos & official exam guides - For GenAI: explore Vertex AI, Azure OpenAI, AWS Bedrock And my final 2 cents: ↳ Pick your path based on your job goal, not hype ↳ Labs + Experience > Certification badges ↳ GenAI paths require cloud + ML basics first • • • If this helped: 🔔 Follow me(Vishakha) for more structured cloud + AI learning guides ♻️ Share it so others can find their path too! Image source: kodekloud.com

Your Path to Becoming a Network Engineer! 🌐 Are you aiming to master the field of networking? This roadmap covers everything you need to get started and advance your career as a Network Engineer. Here's a breakdown of essential knowledge areas: 🔻 Networking Fundamentals – Understand the OSI and TCP/IP models, and get familiar with devices like routers, switches, and hubs. 🔻 Network Protocols – Learn core protocols such as TCP, UDP, and IP, plus application layer protocols (HTTP, DNS, DHCP). 🔻 Routing and Switching – Master routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), VLANs, and more for efficient network traffic management. 🔻 Network Design and Architecture – Dive into topologies, design principles, and network types (LAN, WAN, WLAN). 🔻 Network Security – Gain expertise in firewalls, VPNs, security protocols, and best practices for protecting networks. 🔻 Wireless Networking – Understand wireless standards, security (WPA2, WPA3), and coverage planning. 🔻 Cloud Networking – Learn about hybrid cloud setups and services from major providers like AWS and Azure. 🔻 Network Automation and Scripting – Get skilled in programming and automation tools (Python, Bash, PowerShell) to simplify network management. 🔻 Monitoring and Troubleshooting – Be proficient with tools for monitoring (NetFlow, SNMP) and troubleshooting network issues. 🔻 Virtualization & Container Networking – Explore SDN, NFV, and container networking with technologies like Docker and Kubernetes. 🔻 Certifications – Start with CompTIA Network+ and work your way up to advanced certifications like Cisco CCIE and VMware VCP-NV. This guide shows that the journey is challenging but achievable with the right steps and commitment.

Freelancers are the new creative department. The model is changing. Agencies aren’t just hiring freelancers to fill gaps anymore. It’s less about ‘who is free’ and more about ‘who fits this moment.’ Teams that used to be permanent are now assembled per brief. A Senior Creative, an Art Director, a Producer who’s free this month… suddenly, you’ve got a full department without the overhead. However, it’s not a stopgap. It’s a new structure. And for many agencies, it’s the smartest one yet. Because flexibility scales faster than headcount, and talent now exists outside the walls. For freelancers, that shift means: You’re no longer support; you’re the core team. And you’re often tapping in and out of the same clients, with a shared understanding of how both sides can benefit. But, you also have to operate like a business.  Be dependable, fast and easy to plug in. For businesses, it’s a rethink too. Less about job titles, more about creative chemistry. Finding the right mix of thinkers and doers who can shape ideas from concept to delivery - without the complex boundaries of bureaucracy. The lines between in-house, agency and freelance are fading. And some of the best work is being made by hybrid teams built for the moment and less so for the org chart.

A lot of folks don't seem to know the difference between creative producers, creative program managers, creative project managers, and content producers when they're writing job descriptions, so I'm here to set the record straight. These titles are are not interchangeable. And hiring the wrong one is costing you good work. Let me break it down: Content producers manage the actual creation of content. Social posts, blogs, videos, campaigns. They keep the content machine running efficiently and consistently. This doesn't mean that they also *make* the content, though this seems to be more and more the expectation. Creative project managers keep projects on track. Timelines, budgets, deliverables. They manage the comms between stakeholders and creatives, but they're not responsible for the quality of the creative work. That's not their job. Creative program managers operate at a higher level. Managing multiple projects simultaneously, building systems, scaling creative output across the organization. They're thinking about workflows, tools, and how to scale creative output. Incredibly valuable. But again, not responsible for the creative work itself. Creative producers do something entirely different. They understand the creative process deeply enough to protect it. They know when a brief is too vague, which corners you can cut without ruining the work, and how to translate between what the business needs and what the creative team can actually deliver. These are four distinct roles requiring four distinct skill sets. Conflating them doesn't save money. It creates chaos and produces forgettable work. Know what you're hiring for and advertise the role as such so that you attract the right talent. Your creative team will thank you. 🤍

“𝗦𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲? 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁.” The most DMs I have received have been from early career starters seeking to pivot into audit, financial reporting and FP&A roles. The reason is not far-fetched; these roles are the most prevalent and so have shaped the definition of what a “finance career" is. But the truth is, finance is a big world with MANY lanes. Here's a breakdown for you to explore: 1. Corporate & Business Finance >> FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) >> Treasury Management >> Investor Relations >> Business/Financial Strategy >> Corporate Development (M&A, Strategy) 2. Investment Finance >> Investment Banking >> Private Equity >> Venture Capital >> Asset Management >> Hedge Funds >> Real Estate Finance 3. Financial Markets & Trading >> Sales & Trading >> Commodities Trading >> Derivatives Structuring >> Quantitative Analysis >> Proprietary Trading 4. Risk Management >> Credit Risk >> Market Risk >> Operational Risk >> Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) 5. Banking & Financial Services >> Commercial Banking (Relationship Manager, Loan Officer) >> Retail Banking (Branch Manager, Personal Banker) >> Wealth Management (Financial Advisor, Private Banker) >> Microfinance and SME Financing 6. Advisory & Consulting >> Management Consulting (Finance Transformation, Strategy) >> Transaction Services (Due Diligence, Valuations) >> Financial Restructuring & Turnaround Consulting 7. Accounting & Compliance >> External Audit >> Internal Audit >> Tax Advisory >> Regulatory Compliance >> Forensic Accounting (Fraud, Investigations) 8. Financial Technology (Fintech) >> Payments & Digital Banking (Finance Leads, Risk Managers) >> Blockchain/Crypto Finance Roles >> Product Managers in Fintech Startups >> Financial Data Analytics (using AI, Python, etc.) 9. Public Sector & Development Finance >> Central Bank (Monetary Policy, Research) >> Development Finance Institutions (e.g., World Bank, AfDB) >> Economic Advisory in Government Agencies 10. Specialized & Niche Roles >> ESG & Sustainable Finance Analyst >> Climate Risk Finance >> Healthcare Finance >> Sports Finance >> Entertainment & Media Finance Key Lesson: 1. Finance is broad. Don’t lock yourself into one path too early. Explore. You can match finance with almost ANY passion you have: tech, sports, consulting, trading, strategy, startups, public policy...anything. 2. Start where you can, but pivot as you grow. Your first finance job doesn’t define your future. Use it as a launchpad to explore what suits you better. 3. Pick roles that build transferable skills. Skills like Excel, financial modeling, business acumen, and communication will serve you in any finance role. 4. Tech is not a niche skill anymore; it's foundational. Learn Excel deeply. Add SQL, Power BI, or Python. Be tech-literate 5. Certifications help, but competence matters more. Start with those to break in, but go more for experience. Rooting for you! #FPATuesday

If you're a B.Tech. student graduating in 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 and interested in becoming a network engineer, here's a simplified breakdown: What is a Network Engineer? A network engineer is like a digital architect who designs and maintains computer networks for businesses. This could involve anything from connecting a couple of offices to managing complex cloud systems for big companies. They're also the guardians, keeping these networks safe from cyber threats. How to Get Started: 6 Tips 1. Consider Getting a Degree:   - About 62% of network engineers have a bachelor's degree. Subjects like computer science, information systems, or engineering are relevant. Some leadership roles might even prefer a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on information systems. 2. Start with an Entry-Level Role:   - Gain experience by starting with entry-level IT roles, like systems administration or desktop support. This helps you build technical skills and understand IT systems better. 3. Learn Network Security:   - Security is a big deal. Understand concepts like threat intelligence, data protection, and compliance. Consider getting a Professional Certificate in cybersecurity. IBM offers a good one called "IBM Cybersecurity Analyst." 4. Get Familiar with the Cloud:   - Companies are moving to cloud computing, so understanding how to design, optimize, and manage networks in a cloud environment is crucial. Google Cloud offers a "Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Network Engineer" course. 5. Learn Programming Languages:   - While not always mandatory, knowing certain programming languages can make you a stronger candidate. Python, Perl, Bash, and Golang are good ones to consider. 6. Get Certified:   - Some companies want certifications. Look into CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). These certifications show your skills to potential employers. Why Network Engineering? - As of October 2023, the average salary for a network engineer in the US is $94,704. - The field involves problem-solving and working with computers, making it a good fit if you enjoy these things. Recommended Courses: - Cisco's "Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals" on Coursera is a good starting point. It covers essential skills like Python programming, network planning, and automation. - Introduction to Networking and Storage (IBM):   - Enhance your IT skills, covering cloud storage, network troubleshooting, and more.    - IBM Cybersecurity Analyst:   - Build skills in cybersecurity, essential for network engineers. - Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Network Engineer:   - Advance your career with skills in cloud networking. Remember, these are just starting points. Network engineering is a dynamic field, so staying curious and open to learning is key. Good luck! For more valuable content like this, follow Vikram Gaur . #CloudComputing #NetworkEngineer #CloudEngineer #DevOpsEngineer

AI's creep into professional domains is terrifying for some and perplexing for most. Without a framework, navigating this predicament is purely speculative. Lack of clarity impedes career planning. I'll offer this "Human-AI Career Nexus Framework" as an objective lens. It illuminates AI's influence on careers by segmenting roles across two critical dimensions. This framework provides foresight. It reveals career resilience, augmentation opportunities, and automation susceptibility. The Nexus categorizes roles by their degree of Creativity (Y-axis) and Structure (X-axis): * Human Innovators (High Creativity, Low Structure): Roles requiring intuition, novelty. Augmented, not replaced, by AI --  Artists, Brand Strategists, Venture Capitalists, Therapists. * Creative Processors (High Creativity, High Structure): Creative work within methodologies. High augmentation potential --  Architects, Educators, UX Designers, Journalists. * Analytical Problem-Solvers (Low Creativity, Low Structure): Interpretation in ambiguous contexts. Human judgment paramount, AI supports --  Deal Strategists, Epidemiologists, Portfolio Managers, Forensic Accountants. * Automated Operators (Low Creativity, High Structure): Rule-based, repetitive tasks. Most susceptible to automation --  Bookkeepers, Call Center Agents, Loan Processors, Data Entry Clerks. This framework provides clarity for strategic planning in the labor market. A tool for the future of work. #HartmansNexus Art+Science Analytics Institute | University of Notre Dame | University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Chicago | D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University | ELVTR | Grow with Google - Data Analytics #Analytics #DataStorytelling

Career maps for various sectors: Sell-Side Banks, Buy-Side Institutions, Corporates, and Professional Services Firms: 1. Sell-Side Banks (Investment Banks) Sell-side firms focus on services related to raising capital, trading securities, and advising companies. Typical Roles: Analyst: Entry-level position focusing on financial analysis, modeling, and pitch books. Associate: After 2-3 years as an analyst, associates manage analysts and interface with clients more closely. Vice President (VP): Manages client relationships, pitches, and deals, typically after 3-4 years as an associate. Director / Executive Director: Involved in high-level deal execution and strategy, guiding the overall transaction process. Managing Director (MD): Senior-most role focusing on deal origination, client acquisition, and firm strategy. Career Path: Intern → Analyst → Associate → VP → Director → Managing Director 2. Buy-Side Institutions Buy-side firms manage money by investing in securities like stocks and bonds. These include mutual funds, hedge funds, and private equity. Typical Roles: Research Analyst: Analyzes potential investments, including stocks, bonds, and other assets. Portfolio Manager: Responsible for managing a fund or portfolio, making buy/sell decisions. Trader: Executes buy and sell orders in financial markets, working closely with portfolio managers. Quant Analyst: Focuses on quantitative research to create trading algorithms or models. Private Equity Associate: Works on acquiring companies, modeling, and due diligence (for PE firms). Partner: Top-level position in private equity or hedge funds, responsible for leading investments. Career Path: Analyst → Associate → Portfolio Manager → Senior Portfolio Manager → Partner / Head of Investments 3. Corporates (Finance Roles in Non-Financial Companies) Corporates are companies outside of financial services that may require strong financial expertise for strategic decisions, often having their in-house finance teams. Typical Roles: Corporate Finance Analyst: Focuses on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning for the company. Treasury Analyst: Manages the company’s liquidity, funding, and capital structure. FP&A Analyst: Responsible for financial planning and analysis, working on forecasting and variance analysis. Controller: Manages accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. CFO (Chief Financial Officer): Oversees all financial aspects, from budgeting and forecasting to strategy and operations. Career Path: Analyst → Senior Analyst → Manager → Director → VP → CFO These career maps provide a structured path, but movement across sectors (e.g., moving from Sell-Side to Buy-Side) is also common. Each path has its nuances depending on the firm, location, and specific area of finance. --- Follow me for more like this... Jeetain Kumar, FMVA® #finance #cfa #investmentbanking #strategy #consulting