What's the best route to become a personal financial planner if we're coming out of an unrelated major?

Question

So I'm going to be graduating with a non-business related undergrad major. Should I get an entry-level finance job first - would I gain the necessary skills in that job to sit for the CFP exam? I've researched certificate programs, but they seem to be geared toward professionals who've already been working for a while, and as I won't have had any finance-related work experience, I'm not sure I can join those programs. What's with the graduate school programs in financial planning - they only exist in unheard of schools. Not that I have to go to a big name grad school or anything, but my undergrad school is UC Berkeley, so I was wondering if it would be looked down upon for me to then get a masters in financial planning from an unknown school like Widener University. So what should I do? Advice please, Thanks! :D

Answer 1

Lots of people do things that are completely unrelated to their degrees. Don't be discouraged. Do what you want. If you find out later that you'd be well served by getting a masters you can go back to school. Go for it man! Sounds delicious!

Answer 2

American Express seems to be one of the only companies who will teach you everything from ground level. Interview with them. The only other company, but you'd be working for yourself and very hard to get with them is Edward Jones. American Express you work in their office, etc. Edward Jones they set you up to run your own office.