Career Readiness Microcourse
PursueSM
Best For
Individuals starting or considering a career in financial services or who have been in the industry three years or less.
Timing
Three hours
Format
Prepare yourself for a career in financial services with this free microcourse. Learn more below.
100% Online, Self-Paced
Tuition
Free!
Partner with Us
Want to put your brand on the blueprint for enhancing workforce development in financial services? Let us know your firm is interested and we’ll reach out to you!
Discover Your Potential
Unlock Your Career in Financial Services
PursueSM is a noncredit microcourse designed to give you the keys to a successful career in financial services. Learn how the industry is organized, see firm models and work styles, and build a plan for your future in the profession.
Program Overview
What You'll Learn
Delivered in three units, the PursueSM microcourse delivers key insights into the form and function of the financial services industry along with potential career paths for those interested in entering the profession and those who have been in financial services less than three years. You’ll learn:
- How the financial services industry is organized and run
- What firm models and work styles may best suit your career goals
- How to build a 30-60-90-day plan that gives you a foundation for success
Admissions Requirements
None! Any adult learner interested in learning more about the financial services industry is encouraged to enroll in PursueSM.
Course Delivery
At your own pace! PursueSM is a fully asynchronous online course made up of three units, completable in three hours or less and crafted by the industry leader in financial services education.
- Each unit contains multiple topic areas to explore
- Key ideas reinforced through digital workbook activities (ungraded)
- Units to be completed with an overall quiz (ungraded)
- Final quiz will test students’ understanding of all topics covered
Who Should Take PursueSM?
Students & Grads
Envision Your Future
Got your bachelor’s or master’s degree and want to know what’s next? Take a look at what financial services has to offer.
Career-Changers
Discover Opportunities
Looking to start a new career path? Explore how your expertise can find a home in financial services.
New to the Industry
Chart Your Course
Getting started in financial services? Get the information you need to build a solid foundation for your career.
Program Outline
Units to Complete
Three
Typical Completion Time
Three Hours or Less
Unit 1: Know the Landscape – Foundations of a Financial Services Career
Get to know the landscape of financial services and get a foundation for a successful career. You’ll learn about:
- The financial services landscape
- Compensation and opportunity
- Licenses, designations, and roles
Unit 2: Find the Fit – Aligning Career Models with Your Values
Find your fit in financial services by aligning career models with your values. You’ll learn about:
- Finding the right environment for you
- Firm models and work styles
- Aligning compensation and values
Unit 3: Make Your Move – Build Your Career Plan
Make your move and start building your career plan. You’ll create a 30-60-90-day plan for success and learn about:
- Turning your insights to action
- Licensing and further learning pathways
- Networking and mentorship
Why PursueSM
28%
Of new financial professionals complete their training.1
#1
Finance is the top career choice among graduates globally.2
740K
New financial services jobs will be available in the next decade.3
Build Your Community
Visit Our Centers of Excellence
PursueSM is delivered in partnership with our Centers of Excellence as they work to further our mission to benefit society through communities including women, the military, and those of diverse backgrounds. See how you can take part.
A Financial Empowerment Experience
Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth®
Want to keep learning? Explore a noncredit certificate program that helps you improve financial decision-making, increase your financial security, and put into practice strategies to achieve your financial goals.
A Legacy of Educational Excellence
As the industry’s choice for financial services education, we’re on a mission to strengthen the profession and benefit society through knowledge. See more of what we have to offer.
1 Cerulli Associates. 2023.
2 CFA Institute 2025 Graduate Outlook Survey – Global Report. 2025.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2023.