Where do I go from here? Finance jobs

[AlwaysBusyNothingDone]

I currently work as a Senior Paraplanner for a medium sized IFA in London. I began working for my firm 8 years ago as a trainee administrator.

The problem is that I’m now stuck in my role due to several factors:

• I’m paid well for my role (50k) and need all income I currently have so can’t afford to retrain
• I really struggle with exams. I’ve not passed any professional exams (CII) even though I’ve spent so many hours studying
• I don’t have a degree as I didn’t pass enough exams at uni to finish
• My employer has said they can’t promote me further without qualifications.
• All external senior paraplanner roles require diploma or chartered status

I’m good at my role (I’ve been promoted several times) and have extensive knowledge of the industry but I now feel stuck in this role as I now can’t progress any further. I’m only in my early/mid 30s. Can anyone think of my next steps for career progression or another (similar paying) avenue that doesn’t require professional exams/a degree?

Thanks in advance

Could you look at compliance type roles, they seem to be more experience based rather than specific qualifications.

Move into bookkeeping/accounting?
You don't have to go for full ccab/equivalent qualifications.

Why do you struggle with exams? There may be help available.

Could you ask them about an Apprenticeship? It may be a way for you to gain a qualification to help you progress in a way that isn't too daunting or expensive. Look into counselling to help you deal with course assessments

Thanks, I had considered this but thought I might need qualifications first. I’ll look again.

I’m not sure, it always feels that I’ve not studied what comes up in the exam.

Poor exam technique?
Undiagnosed dyslexia?
Could you look into these things to see if you can have a better chance with the exams.

Is there any local support for the exams? Our CII institute supports several approaches - there are fast track programmes with regular meetings with a tutor to cover stuff in the module and in many / most cases the tutor has been a marker for the cii exams?

I always found the revisionmate support helpful as well (I've done my CII Insurance up to diploma level)

You need to pass those exams ... you can do it!!

Could you look at LIBF instead? Colleagues who struggled with the CII exams went that route instead. I believe that it’s more coursework focused unlike the CII approach.