Becoming a stockbroker can be a long and difficult process, but the financial reward in the end is great. You will need to either have or develop an aptitude for business and sales, because being a stockbroker is basically a sales job. It is never too early or too late to start. Stockbrokers have been known to come from people in other disciplines who are changing careers. You just need to be able to get into a good training program.
Instructions
1. Hone your skills for math, business and economics starting in high school. Get exposed through all relevant classes in these areas. Also join or start your own investment club to help you get used to the market. Invest some of your own money or trade with paper money on stock trading websites.
2. Obtain a college degree. Most stockbrokers have a bachelor's degrees with concentrations in finance, economics or business. Learn as much as you can about how the stock market works while in college. Seek relevant internship opportunities.
3. Get a training position. Most stockbrokers start off as trainees in stock brokerage firms and get trained on the job. You also prepare for your professional exams this way. Having prior internship opportunities will make this step of the process much easier.
4. Work harder than you have ever worked. A lot of the people who join training programs drop out and never make it to the end of the program, pass the professional exams and become associates within their firms. To be one of the few who make it, you will need to work harder than you have ever worked in your life. It entails very long hours and little pay in the beginning.
5. Pass the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) examination, and maintain continuing education requirements. As part of your training you will prepare for, take and need to pass the CSI's Canadian Securities Course exams. This qualifies you as a stockbroker and registered investment adviser in Canada. You will need to meet your continuing education requirements for as long as you work as a stockbroker.
