Yes, becoming a portfolio manager is hard. A portfolio manager typically holds one of the most lucrative and accomplished positions in the financial services industry. As such, it requires high-level qualifications to stay competitive in a fierce market.
To become a portfolio manager, you need to have either a bachelor's or master's degree in finance or a related field. You need to have several years of work experience and the right certifications.
After graduation, you can look for internships or roles in financial firms like banks, insurance firms, and those managing pension funds, and then work your way up.
Working as a financial analyst can give you a good insight into the financial markets, researching assets, selecting investments, and managing risk - essentially training you for the role of a portfolio manager.
After that, It can take several years to gain enough understanding and insight into financial markets before you're ready to become a portfolio manager.
To be eligible to work as a portfolio manager requires professional licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The specific set of FINRA licenses varies based on the types of securities and other investment assets.
