Preparing for the SIE: Make your schedule work for you
Breaking into finance doesn’t always start with a traditional path. For Angel, the journey began far from a classroom or corporate office, balancing a barista job, multiple responsibilities, and the challenge of studying in a second language.
As a non-U.S. candidate navigating unfamiliar systems and complex material, Angel relied on determination, structure, and consistency to overcome each obstacle. Through persistence and smart study strategies, he proved that with the right support, it’s possible to pivot careers and build a future in finance, no matter where you start.
What motivated you to take this exam?
I currently work as a barista, and my long-term goal is to acquire a position in investment banking. I conducted independent research and found that the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) is the required first step to transition into the finance world.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your prep?
Just life happening. I was trying to balance work, studying for the SIE, marriage, collecting documents for school applications, and looking for different job opportunities. At times, I felt like I was juggling too many things at once.
Did you use any strategies, habits, or tools that helped?
I'm a visual learner—I had to write every single piece of information down in my notebook to memorize it, and that helped a lot. I also used mnemonics extensively. For example, I remembered FINRA's CRD by the famous football player Cristiano RonalDo, or SLoBS / BLiSS to remember how orders are adjusted or triggered.
Did your background or life circumstances shape how you approached prep?
Most definitely. English is not my first language, and even though I possess high proficiency, the clear language used in the Achievable material helped me understand the concepts themselves rather than just getting stuck on complex sentence structures.
What advice would you give to someone just starting?
If you make an error, ask yourself why you thought that was the correct answer. When you understand why you selected the wrong choice, identifying the correct one becomes much easier. And always, always read the full question.
How did you balance studying with other responsibilities?
I would work 12-hour shifts, come home, spend some time with my husband, and then get to studying. I often studied late into the night, but I realized I was more efficient studying in the mornings on my days off. Once I figured this out, I prioritized morning study sessions and used the nights for testing myself.
How did you feel going into test day?
Very nervous. This was the first exam I took in the US, my first major multiple-choice exam, and my first exam in the finance industry. However, having my "100% readiness score" in the back of my mind helped a lot—it definitely gave me the confidence I needed.
What role did Achievable play in your prep?
HUGE. I entered this challenge knowing nothing about securities, and today I passed the first step toward pivoting into finance, thanks to Achievable.
Looking back, what would you do differently, if anything?
I would definitely RTFQ (Read The Full Question). Early on, I would sometimes rush and skip over words like "banned," "not," or "false," which led me to make the wrong choice.
What’s next for you now that you’ve finished the exam?
With the SIE on my resume, I will start applying to jobs and hopefully find a sponsor for my Series 7. On Monday, I'm starting a Modeling and Valuation course to expand my knowledge and enrich my resume.
