On November 23, 2025, an unconventional industry seminar was taking place in Room 1502 of the Business School. Around a modest conference table sat seven or eight students, each attentive and focused, nodding in agreement at times and taking photos with their phones at others. This small-scale forum, titled "ABCs of Financial Careers—Securities Edition," with its uniquely warm atmosphere, was lifting the veil on the industry for students aspiring to careers in finance.
From Glamour to Reality: Candid Sharing from an Industry Veteran
Dr. Fu Leiming, Shenzhen Regional Head of Bond Sales at CITIC Securities, brings over a decade of frontline bond sales experience at a top-tier securities firm. He has witnessed China's bond market evolve from its nascent stage to robust growth. Dr. Fu began his sharing by addressing the high-salary allure of the financial industry. Between idealism and reality, income is indeed the primary motivation for many entering finance. However, the reality is that entry-level positions offer salaries far less glamorous than commonly perceived. True high earnings typically require 5 to 10 years of accumulation and expertise, coupled with high pressure, long working hours, and significant uncertainty.
Industry Evolution: No Perpetual "High-Paying Industry"
Using a timeline, Dr. Fu vividly outlined the transformation of China's financial industry since 2006. Before 2006, finance was not the preferred choice for top talent. The industry's rapid growth began after the 2008 global financial crisis. From bank corporate account managers to securities underwriters, from trust managers to fixed income professionals—different sub-sectors have taken the spotlight at different times. Therefore, it's difficult to broadly characterize the entire industry as "high-paying"; rather, structural opportunities exist within specific sub-sectors at different periods.
Practical Guide: Five Entry Tips
Finally, for students aspiring to enter the industry, Dr. Fu offered five practical suggestions: First, carefully consider whether this industry truly suits you, rather than blindly chasing the high-salary allure. Second, identify your target sub-sector early and gain authentic insights through conversations with seniors and industry veterans. Third, value internship experiences, adapting to the industry trend of shortened training periods for newcomers. Fourth, prepare mentally—given the fierce competition in finance, resilience matters more than professional skills. Fifth, maintain an open mindset; if you find yourself unsuited to the field, don't hesitate to change direction.
From personal growth to industry trends, students engaged in deep exchanges with Dr. Fu on topics they cared about. Though the seminar ran longer than scheduled, participants still felt it ended too soon. As a new approach to bringing industry experts into the classroom, this interest-driven, professionally-oriented format—returning to fundamentals with objective realism—aims to plant seeds of career development in attendees, helping them find their unique path between ideals and reality.
图片：楼黄宝怡
供稿、审核：张雅慧
