An excellent way to learn about the career of branch manager is to get in on the ground floor and become a teller or customer service representative. Although age requirements vary by bank, some banks hire applicants as young as age 18. If you can’t land a job at a bank, consider conducting information interviews with branch managers about their careers. You can find potential contacts on LinkedIn or you can try to set up an appointment with the branch manager of your local bank. Here are a few questions to ask during an information interview: What made you want to enter this career? What do you like most and least about your job? What advice would you give to young people about preparing for the field and being successful on the job?
Leadership positions in school or community clubs will provide you with an understanding of what it’s like to manage staff and budgets. Join student business organizations—such as Junior Achievement (JA) (https://jausa.ja.org), DECA (www.deca.org), Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (www.fbla-pbl.org), and Business Professionals of America (http://bpa.org) to learn more about the business world and participate in activities that develop your leadership, managerial, and financial management skills. Participate in summer exploration programs in mathematics, business, finance, and other fields that are offered by colleges and universities. Finally, familiarize yourself with banking lingo by checking out glossaries such as the one offered by American Banker on its Web site, https://www.americanbanker.com/glossary/a.html.
- Accountants
- Auditors
- Automatic Teller Machine Servicers
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Bank Examiners
- Billing Clerks
- Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
- Business Managers
- Chief Financial Officers
- College Administrators
- Compliance Managers
- Credit Analysts
- Economists
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Institution Officers and Managers
- Financial Institution Tellers, Clerks, and Related Workers
- Financial Planners
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Financial Services Brokers
- Forensic Accountants and Auditors
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Investment Fund Managers
- Investment Professionals
- Investment Underwriters
- Loan Officers and Counselors
- Loan Processors
- Loan Underwriters
- Mortgage Bankers
- Private Bankers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists