WorkFair '24: Exploring opportunities in financial services

WorkFair 2024 has officially launched, bringing together LGBTQ+ graduates and inclusive employers from around the globe. This global careers fair plays a crucial role in helping newcomers to the workforce start their careers with companies that actively support the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone deserves to express their authentic selves at work and to be fully accepted and celebrated; thus, many job seekers are no longer willing to work for companies that do not prioritize diversity, inclusion, and equity. The online career fair, which is free for LGBTQ+ students and graduates worldwide, offers access to inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly organizations eager to hire. Additionally, industry leaders and experts are hosting webinars, starting with Exploring Opportunities in Financial Services to kick off the event.

Held in partnership with Stout, this panel showcased the diverse career opportunities within the financial services industry. The discussion covered various roles, career paths, and growth potential in finance, and attendees learned from industry experts about the necessary skills and qualifications, emerging trends, and strategies for navigating and succeeding in this dynamic field.

The panel, led by myGwork’s Aasha Tikoo, saw figures from major financial institutions: Kevin Soyer from S&P Global, Monica Lockett Green from State Street, James Woolley from Fitch Group, Jennifer Doyle from Finastra, Perry Fields from Bank of America, and Thornall Hembrow from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

“The finance spectrum is very wide and the audience is very diverse, so you can adapt your skills based on that. You could work in technology, software engineering, or coding, if you are very tech-based and don’t know anything about finance, you’ll have no issue finding a job in financial services. You learn on the job, you'll talk to people in the firm, and you’ll learn more on the finance side.” - Kevin Soyer, Equity and Index Investment Strategies, S&P Global

“Be ready to engage, work the room. I always tell folks, even if you're an introvert, just be ready to go in there, give yourself a pep talk, make sure you're making connections with everybody there and work that room.” - Monica Lockett Green, Global Talent Acquisition Diversity Leader, State Street

“The accessibility element of breaking down barriers wherever we can so that more diverse applicants can apply is something that applicants should definitely consider. It’s not just how you apply, how you structure your cover letter, how you do your resume - but also, are you applying in the right method? Are there different tracks where you can go to?” - James Woolley, Senior Operations Associate Fitch Pride Network Global Co-Chair, Fitch Group

“I think the beauty of financial services is that there's so many opportunities within it. The breadth of opportunities is extremely vast. Start with thinking, what are your skills? What are your strengths and what are your passions? What opportunities are aligned to those passions as well?” - Jennifer Doyle, Global Head of Talent, Finastra

“Great teams are built on mutual trust, accountability and shared ownership. I believe the organizations that do this will continue to flourish and attract the best talent.” - Perry Fields, Business Operations Executive, Bank of America:

“I really would challenge the audience to think of financial services as an enormous ecosphere of different roles. Regardless of whether you're doing a very traditional bachelor's in accounting or finance, you can come to financial services as a lawyer, HR, marketing, events management - it's endless!” - Thornall Hembrow, Executive Director, Deputy Head of LGBTQ+ Affairs, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Each speaker in the webinar offered valuable advice on leveraging personal skills, navigating job searching, and building meaningful connections. As the WorkFair fostered these discussions, it continues to reinforce the critical message that authentic self-expression and equitable treatment belong in every workplace.

Watch the full webinar here:

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