Even non-traditional backgrounds can provide transferable skills that matter in finance.
A few years ago, finance wasn’t on my radar. My career path seemed destined for theatre, and I had no financial experience or connections. Yet, I eventually landed a role at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in New York.
My parents encouraged exploration and learning from failure. Theatre became my space to experiment, and I unknowingly developed resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills—qualities that later proved invaluable in finance.
How Creativity Led Me to Finance
At NYU, I immersed myself in theatre. I quickly learned that bold ideas alone aren’t enough. They also need support, structure, and resources.
A turning point came in a business class. Finance was explained as the process of allocating resources over time. The concept felt familiar—it reminded me of producing projects in theatre. This insight made me realize that finance could be another way to pursue my passions using different tools.
Steps to Break Into Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Breaking into finance without a traditional background was challenging. I lacked the typical resume, connections, and technical skills. Here are the key steps I took to make the transition successfully:
- Identify Your Fit Within Finance
Instead of asking if I could “get into finance,” I focused on finding the part of the industry that suited me.
- Investment banking focuses on transactions.
- Asset management involves staying with decisions and seeing them through a process similar to project commitment in theatre.
- Learn Essential Technical Concepts
To compete with candidates who had years of preparation, I needed to learn the fundamentals:
- Basic financial models and analysis
- Industry terminology
- Portfolio management principles
This learning required patience and structured guidance. With OSG, I could focus on what mattered most for asset management roles.
- Build a Coherent Career Story
Having experience isn’t enough—interviews and networking require a compelling narrative.
- Connect your past experiences to your finance goals
- Highlight transferable skills from non-traditional backgrounds
- Demonstrate intentionality in your career transition
- Get Structured Guidance
Working with a career strategy program like OSG transformed my approach:
- Narrow down the right roles within finance
- Prioritize efforts in a competitive recruiting cycle
- Practice interviews and receive feedback
This step made my job search focused and efficient, increasing my chances of landing interviews at top firms.
Final Steps and Interview Success
By the time I connected with asset management professionals, everything had shifted. My direction was clearer, technical skills stronger, and my career story coherent.
During the final stages of recruiting at Goldman Sachs, I no longer had to prove I belonged. Instead, I focused on finding the right role and team fit. One memorable interview question was: “What would you do if you weren’t in finance?” It reminded me that my theatre experience was still part of me and shaped my approach to challenges.
Key Lessons from a Non-Finance Graduate
Reflecting on my journey, I realized that success in finance recruiting isn’t solely about having the right background. It’s about strategy and self-awareness.
I learned to recognize my unique strengths and identify which skills could transfer to a finance role. I also focused on finding the part of the industry that matched the way I think and approach problems.
Communicating my story clearly and coherently became just as important as developing technical skills. Above all, I discovered that progress often comes from taking consistent steps forward, even when the path isn’t obvious.
Why Early Career Guidance Matters
For anyone navigating a similar path, having a clear strategy early can make a big difference. Programs like OSG (One Strategy Group) career coaching offer more than just technical guidance. They help you uncover your strengths, shape your story, and navigate the competitive finance world with confidence.
With personalized coaching, you can:
- Identify the right finance roles that match your unique background.
- Present your experiences in a compelling and memorable way.
- Gain practical advice to succeed in interviews and recruiting.
The sooner you clarify your direction, the sooner everything else—skills, networking, opportunities—falls into place. Even if your path feels unconventional, every experience you’ve had contributes to your success. Keep moving forward, and the pieces will come together.
Explore OSG (One Strategy Group) career mentorship programs to accelerate your career transition into finance. Start building your story and land your dream role today.
