Launching a successful finance career from scratch
Emerson Neto is a senior graduating in May 2026 from Bowling Green State University. He is a finance major with a specialization in financial planning. Emerson is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and loves spending time with his family and friends, as well as taking his dog for runs. He is currently seeking a full-time financial advisor position post-graduation.
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I wanted to take the SIE as a stepping stone into the financial industry, and this was a solid place to begin. I had no idea where to start, but after researching, I came across Achievable and was really impressed by their pass rate. I did a little searching online and found a discount code, and I was sold. I always check online for even a couple of minutes and see if there is a way to get a discount. I highly recommend doing the same.
I would almost recommend everyone take this test, as you will gain a little knowledge about many topics. This could be useful for someone not even in the industry, and you will have some knowledge when you hire a financial expert, and you can understand a little bit about products and the regulations that are in place in the industry.
Discipline and consistency are key
The biggest challenge I encountered was discipline; staying disciplined was difficult, as consistency is key. Even if it is only 30 minutes a day, that is much more valuable than a couple of hours, maybe every few days. Setting dedicated time aside was very beneficial and ensured you rewarded yourself for your hard work.
I was extremely nervous on test day. I took over 20 practice tests, and the prep from Achievable did a great job with the question pool; it was new questions almost every time. My favorite tool was the review exam option, which let you go over the questions you missed.
I did have a background, as I am pursuing a finance degree, although with how comprehensive the Achievable program is, I would say with confidence, any major, or even if you do not have a college degree, would be fine taking the SIE as long as you follow the simple steps the course gives you. Bookmarking sections you have difficulty with is crucial, and revisiting these topics is a valuable tool.
Biggest tip for success
My biggest tip is to be consistent and set aside time; it will take time to complete the course. If you make it a priority, you will be able to find time, as I mentioned earlier, even 30 minutes a day is crucial. Make sure to set your test time to a reasonable length. The amount of time you need to complete something is dependent on you, and sometimes you just have to step in and do it. Meaning I forced myself to study for 1 month and took the test in 1 month; there was a sense of pressure to this, and this might not be the best strategy for everyone, but it is what worked for me.
Another great tip is to use a SIE review YouTube video while you are driving to the test. I can not emphasize this enough. This saved me getting a couple of questions right on the test. Having the video in the background and listening to the lingo kickstarts your brain into shape, mentally preparing you for the exam.
