Career Spotlight: Breaking Into Finance with Manulife Financial

What designations have the most value within the field?

I think all of the finance and accounting designations are equally valuable, it really just depends on what your area of interests and career goals are. If you want to get into investments, then a CFA would be most relevant. For those students interested in pursuing their CMA or CGA designation, then we offer a program for those roles as well which will provide them with training and development opportunities toward a career in finance and accounting. And we are also a CA Training Office, so there is the opportunity to obtain the CA designation through a rotational program outside of the traditional CA firm route.

What kind of culture does Manulife have?

Manulife offers a strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking company culture committed to helping students grow personally and professionally. It’s a culture that provides countless opportunities for career growth and development. It’s collaborative and high performing – we want to hire the best and brightest and that helps to foster a culture of bright leaders. Manulife is also a meritocracy – we believe in rewarding someone based on merit and not just based on the number of years they may be in a particular role. The company offers invaluable experience across diverse financial services that include banking, insurance and investments.

What’s the work/life balance like?

Every role and department and division at Manulife is a little different, but in general we offer a good blend of work/life balance for our employees. Depending on the responsibilities of your individual position, there will be times of the year when you’re busier than others, but by and large Manulife encourages and enables employees to have a life outside of work. In addition to the normal vacation allotment, Manulife employees also get Personal Obligation Days that can be used for anything you wouldn’t want to use a vacation day for. Health and wellness days and initiatives are also an important part of the culture. If you work in the Toronto office, we have a company gym that is subsidized for Manulife employees and offers a variety of classes for those who want to take time out of their work day to fit in some cardio. There is a Staff Association at all Manulife locations that plan events throughout the year for employees and offer discounts on local attractions and events. Manulife also encourages community involvement and volunteer initiatives, so if you’re passionate about a cause, Manulife offers a number of ways in which you will be supported, from financial to time off.

What’s a typical career path like within Manulife in finance?

The nice thing about our company is that there isn’t a “typical” career path for everyone. Most new grads come into a specific program that will support them in obtaining a designation and will give them a variety of experiences in the company. Once the program is completed, they will be in a better position to understand what area of the company and what focus they’d like their next position to be in. Some follow very traditional finance paths, while others make their own and hold a variety of non-traditional roles. A career at Manulife is truly what you make of it.

What advice do you have for finance students hoping for a career at Manulife?

Ask questions. Network as much as you can with people in the industry or company that you’re interested in – even if it’s just a ten minute phone conversation every month or so, it will give you a valuable link to a future career. Volunteer or get part-time work experience in a related environment or field if possible. Be involved in your community, and take every opportunity you can to develop your skills and interests. And learn to like the colour green!

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