How earning securities licenses strengthens your professional path
Brennan is an account manager at State Farm. He lives in Portland, Oregon, and loves reading, writing, and spending time in nature with his family.
Getting securities licenses is one of the most important steps in advancing your finance career. Brennan understands this firsthand. While working full-time in the industry, he committed himself to a consistent, disciplined study routine to earn the licenses that would move him closer to entrepreneurship. He knew these exams were more than just credentials; they were foundational to building the knowledge and credibility required to take his career to the next level.
No matter how ambitious your goals may be, Achievable can help you build the confidence and momentum you need to turn them into reality.
What motivated you to take this exam?
I am currently a team member at an insurance agency, and my goal is to open my own agency. One of the steps I need to take is getting licensed for securities - SIE, Series 6, Series 63, and Series 65. I used Achievable to prep for all four exams.
What was the biggest challenge during your prep?
The biggest challenge I faced was finding the time to study. Between my job and taking care of my two toddlers, I don’t have much free time!
What strategies, habits, or tools helped you most?
The main thing that helped most was committing to study at least a little bit every day. I would study on my breaks at work or when my kids were napping. I would take my practice tests after they fell asleep at night. Studying in small blocks throughout the day worked really well for me.
Did your background or life circumstances shape your prep?
My life circumstances definitely shaped my study habits. I was already used to studying almost exclusively on my phone, as I did my last two quarters of college and studied for my insurance licenses on mobile sites. This is because my daughters NEED to be involved if I try to use a computer! The main reason I chose Achievable is the great mobile functionality.
One creative solution that helped me with studying for my last exam was taking the bus to and from work. This gave me a lot more study time during the day, which was crucial for finishing my exams.
How did you feel going into test day?
I felt a little nervous but mostly confident on my exam days, thanks to Achievable’s clear study program and readiness scores. I had readiness scores close to 100% on all my exams, indicating a strong grasp of the material. Each test turned out to be a breeze.
What role did Achievable play in your prep?
Achievable was all I needed to prep for my exams. I was a bit worried before taking the SIE because a lot of people online post about using various resources. Once I passed the SIE, I didn’t worry anymore and knew the Achievable courses would provide everything I needed to know.
What’s next for you now?
I’m starting to use the knowledge I’ve gained at work to help people with investing products. It’s very rewarding to provide people with guidance that allows them to meet their financial goals. I’m now focusing on the next steps to open an agency, and I’m grateful that Achievable has been there for me in this initial stage.
