Trading My Paint Brushes For a Career in Finance

I was a liberal arts student majoring in studio art who was near her graduation. The closer that graduation day came; the more I got worried about my future. What would I do after graduation? How would I make a living with just a set of paint brushes and canvases? I was starting to think that I was about to enter the world of unprofitable arts, live broke for ever and I definitely didn't want to do that.

I conducted some research on professions that interested me and that were also lucrative. And on the top were careers related to international finance and investments, especially related to acqiusitions and trading of fine arts. I learned this was related to aspects of wealth management. I was excited, but at the same time, worried and confused -- I had not developed the skills necessary to break into investments or wealth management industry geared towards rich people, such as art collectors. How am I, a liberal arts student immersed into Picasso and Van Gogh, supposed to enter a profession resembling investment banking? The world of Mathematics and business seemed to be on the other side of tightly shut doors, which additionally were protected by bulletproof glass from me.

But then I stumbled across an advertisement about a program that promised to guide me through the world of Wall Street. I actually gave that program a try and it not only kept what it promised but went far beyond that.

During that summer program I learned a lot, both in theory as well as in practice from very experienced and skilled instructors who all had encountered countless different situations during their professions as investment bankers or CEOs of substantial and respected businesses, trading houses, investments firms, etc. What impressed me the most was that they had transaction experience in many other countries and thus they had a global perspective on financial markets and business strategies. I was also able to follow them, even though I came from a painter's studio. Today I know that nothing is impossible if you are committed and serious about your goals.

With the guidance of Swiss Finance Academy's summer program I managed to land a job on Wall Street. Their program has helped me realize my dream of becoming a junior investment banker.