How do you go about becoming a stockbroker?

Becoming a stockbroker?

• I'm now in my senior year of college, finishing up an economics degree at a good university. I have good grades, and I have a lot of experience in costumer service and working in a fast paced environment (I'm a bar tender). I have a few questions about being a stock broker though... 1. I know as a trainee u compete with a bunch of other people and don't really make much money during this period. I would like something a little more stable then that right out of college and was seeing if every firm is like that? 2. I was thinking about applying for a job at Scottrade and was wondering what the differences would be at working for a place like scottrade at a branch compared to some firm in new york. ((money(base & commission), training, job security, ect.)) 3. If I decided to go into becoming a stock broker, after a few years if I don't think it is for me what other careers could I go into considering the experience and the licenses I have gained from being a stock broker? 4. Also, just anything else you could tell me about the career? If you are a stock broker and were in a similar position would be great too. Thanks for anyone that could help me out.

• Answer:

  Economics is a really broad business degree so you can go into almost anything. I would start off how you mentioned as well and that is to get a job at Scottrade, Fidelity, or something like that. Then if you like it, go for the big firms in NY although they arent making too much right now. Lehman Brothers went under a couple of months ago and they were one of the largest stock brokers out there. Then again, the cost of living in NY is outrageous so its not like you will be making that much more money than if you worked at Fidelity. I'm a senior in college with an Economics degree as well and thought that same career but this last year in the market has been brutal. All the fun has been taken out because even the best companies are going down down down. It will take me an extra year to graduate so I will have some time to think if I still want to go that way. I love how when people ask for my major a couple of years ago and I tell them "Econ," they used to all go "EWWW." Now that the economy is the only thing in the news they are finally interested in it.