Been working as a teller at BoA for the past few years. I initially started this job thinking I'd get into more advanced finance roles, but instead, I've been pretty stuck. Has anyone been in a similar situation and get out? I want to do more interesting and challenging work -- what kind of advice could you give someone like me?
If finance is what you want to do then apply for internal finance roles. I’m not sure there’s much of a path from teller to where you’re wanting to get to so you may need to just get out of it and into finance. Having that front end experience will help I’m sure.
Invest in yourself, and learn more about our various consumer & business banking solutions. Ask questions during morning business brief. And work with your manager on a career development plan into an SBC or RM role.
This is going to suck to hear but you are indeed wasting your life. Being a bank teller is a job that can literally be automated which is why is called an aTm. It is a basic customer service role that requires a pulse and functional literacy at best. And while I dont work in retail at BoA from Flagscape I can tell you the most you can expect is to be the manager of your branch which is a VP level position at best. There is no transition to a real finance role like IB or trading. The bright side is that the vast majority of people are wasting their life. Just like you. They will be in their old age looking back on their life and either finally have this realization or have been helpless to stop it. But at least you are now self aware. That's a good first step.
Assuming you have a degree in business, finance, or econ, apply for an entry level Financial Analyst role (probably want to look outside of BoA.)
Are you able to progress up the chain and become a FCAM or FCM? If so you may able to get a decent internal role after a year or two of that. Otherwise it’ll be challenging
Being a teller, not sure if you can access flagscape. If you can, access Learning center and take some technical learning courses. Try scrum master, business analyst trainings and apply internally in BofA portal. I am sure technical managers will review and go from there. Good luck.
You have to crush it as a teller to have any chance of moving up the retail banking chain such as going toward a branch manager. BofA is huge and will help you transition roles but you need to be a star performer; even if you hate the job.
Fast food places have more upward mobility