Finance Professional, Author, Montreal, Ca
Please introduce yourself and describe your career. What do you do for a living?
My name is Urmi Hossain, and I am a finance professional in Montreal.
I always like to introduce myself as a proud woman in finance. I don't give myself enough credit for the work I do and the industry I work in, which is typically male-dominated. I worked hard to be where I am today, and I want to give myself the credit I deserve, especially because I forget that it wasn't easy to navigate the uncertainty that the industry presented when I first started working. I am happy and content with the work I do, and I genuinely love working in finance.
To conclude, I work in wealth management for a large financial institution here in Canada. I am the holder of the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation, one of the most highly recognized credentials in the financial sector worldwide. I also hold the CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) designation.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid, I had very mixed feelings about what I wanted to be. Initially, I thought I would become a tour guide because of the subjects I was studying in high school, which included languages and art history.
Later on, I developed a keen interest in psychology. I enjoyed reading books about psychology and thought I would become a therapist, answering questions from my patients while they shared their challenges from my office couch—much like what you see on TV.
However, after moving to Canada, I realized my path was meant to go in a different direction.
For a while, I thought I would become a university professor. I enjoyed being in school, learning, and meeting people, and I believed that was what I wanted to do. Life, however, took me in another direction, and I ended up working in finance. I have been in finance for the past ten years, and I love every part of it.
What did you study? How much schooling do you think is required to get into your role? What could you have skipped?
In university, I ended up studying finance, even though it wasn't initially my main focus. At first, I knew very little about it. Then I took one class and fell in love with it.
I always describe my relationship with finance as “love at first sight”. It has been unconditional love since 2012. I enjoyed finance so much that I completed an Honours program in finance. After graduating, I obtained an entry-level position in the industry because I knew I needed experience. From there, I continued building my career by pursuing the CFA and CAIA designations while developing my skills and knowledge.
Eventually, I landed my dream job, working in portfolio management as an associate. I knew this was my destination, even though when I first started, my main focus was simply improving myself. I asked myself:
"How can I be better at what I do so I can get to where I want to be?"
Was your path hard or smooth getting to where you are in your career? (Can you briefly describe what it was like on your journey so far?)
It was definitely not a smooth path. I faced many rejections at the beginning of my career. I had zero experience in the industry, and I felt I wasn't able to effectively "sell" myself, even with the degree I had earned.
I knew I had to start somewhere, which is why I accepted my first role as an intern. Eventually, I became a full-time employee with that company, which was still within the financial services industry. From there, I focused on building my skills and knowledge strategically. I understood that having strong company names on my résumé would be valuable, but my main focus was gaining experience and learning as much as possible.
I started as a client support administrator, then worked in compliance for four years before eventually ending up in the field I had studied for.
What worked particularly well for me was finding mentors along the way, building a strong professional network, and continuing to invest in my education and personal development.
Walk us through your typical work day—when do you start, end, and what do you do all day? (Where do you work from?)
I embody what many people would describe as corporate life. I work primarily from the office because I have a client-facing role and regularly meet with clients. It is important to always present yourself professionally and put your best foot forward.
My workday typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I start my day by reading market news and reviewing any major developments. Then I focus on emails, ensuring all client requests are addressed, whether they involve sending money, investing funds, or handling administrative matters.
Throughout the day, I participate in calls that are often market-related, and I keep a close eye on the markets and how current events may impact them.
A significant portion of my job involves rebalancing client portfolios and trading, which I truly enjoy. I also work on ad hoc projects, such as organizing client appreciation events, updating marketing materials, and helping with our social media presence.
My role is quite diverse because I get exposure to many areas, including trading, portfolio management, client service, marketing, compliance, and documentation.
What are some questions someone should really ask themselves if they want to get into your industry/career path?
People need to understand that finance is not just about money. One of the most interesting aspects of the industry is that it combines both quantitative and qualitative skills.
Some roles are heavily client-facing, while others are primarily back-office positions. Certain jobs require a high level of technical expertise, while others focus more on relationship management.
One common misconception is that finance and accounting are the same thing. They are not. We do not spend our days simply looking at balance sheets. While some roles may involve that, it is not the primary focus of most finance careers.
My advice to anyone interested in finance is to attend as many networking events as possible and speak with professionals from diverse backgrounds and roles. This will help you gain a better understanding of the opportunities available within the industry.
Some important questions to ask yourself include:
● Is this an industry where there are growth opportunities?
● Is this an industry that requires long hours?
● Is there a healthy work-life balance?
What I discourage people from doing is studying finance solely because they think it will pay well. Pursue finance because it genuinely interests you. When you truly enjoy what you do, work never feels like a burden.
What do you enjoy most about your career? (What do you enjoy least?)
I find both finance and my job incredibly dynamic, which aligns well with my personality.
The industry is constantly evolving and remains endlessly interesting. Everything we do revolves around finance—the economy, interest rates, inflation, retirement planning, and wealth creation. Finance touches every aspect of our lives.
If you have strong financial knowledge, you can build a life where you feel more confident about your future and make informed decisions that help you achieve financial security.
What tools/resources do you frequently use? (Books, podcasts, mentors, wellness habits, software, etc.)
I love reading books, and some of my favourite finance books include:
● Clever Girl Finance
● The Latte Factor
● Rich Dad Poor Dad
In terms of habits, I strongly believe in doing something small every day to move forward. I also believe in staying organized through to-do lists and using Google Calendar to keep myself accountable and on track.
When it comes to wellness, I enjoy running, boxing, and high-intensity workouts.
As for podcasts, there are many excellent options, but if I had to choose one, it would be the Huberman Lab Podcast.
What is something you do when things get difficult? How do you handle stress/challenges?
A good run is always helpful. Put your earphones in, listen to music or a podcast, and free yourself from stress.
Boxing is another great outlet that helps me manage stress and clear my mind.
Eating a good plate of pasta also brings me a lot of happiness.
Finally, journaling has been a valuable tool for reflecting, processing challenges, and maintaining perspective.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to figure out what they want to do (for work) in general?
We are more connected than ever before, and we can speak with people from all over the world. My advice is:
1. Set up coffee chats with industry professionals who are doing the jobs you aspire to have.
2. Find organizations that offer mentorship programs and allow you to connect with individuals who are working in fields that interest you.
3. Participate in networking and social events organized by local organizations. These events provide opportunities to speak with employers and current employees, ask questions, and gain a realistic understanding of different careers.
These experiences can help you discover both what you want to do and what you do not want to do.
Do you have any mentors or key pieces of career advice that helped you get to where you are today?
I took full advantage of the mentorship resources offered by my company.
When I first enrolled in a mentorship program, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I was paired with a mentor I didn't know much about, and admittedly, I was somewhat skeptical at first.
However, I approached the experience with an open mind, and those six months of mentorship gave me tremendous confidence, guidance, and clarity regarding my career direction.
In addition to formal mentorship programs, I strongly believe that mentors can be found anywhere. If there is someone you admire, whether in your workplace, professional network, or personal circle, be curious and start a conversation.
You do not always need an official mentorship program to learn from someone.
What excites you about the future, or what's up next for you in the near future? (Could be career-related, life-related, or even a future career pivot/path)
I truly love my job and enjoy working in finance. However, I also have many passions and interests outside of my career, one of which is women's empowerment.
I am actively involved in my community and participate in an organization called Women in Leadership. We organize both in-person and virtual events to encourage and support more women in leadership positions.
In addition, I work with several universities to promote finance as a career path and encourage students to consider pursuing finance as a field of study.
I am excited to continue growing both professionally and personally while helping others discover opportunities within the finance industry.
Where can readers find/connect with you if they have questions? OR How can we support you?
1. https://www.linkedin.com/in/urmihossain/
2. https://www.youtube.com/@urmihossain
3. My Book: Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle
4. https://www.instagram.com/urmamio/ (personal)