I myself am a stockbroker. I work for an FCA regulated firm who is a member of the London Stock Exchange. There are a few myths regarding the role which I will elaborate on. Firstly, a degree isn't essential. I don't have a degree and started at 19 after doing a year in recruitment hence my less intensive sales experience got me the job. Some but not all firms require a degree so I would recommend one. As for the degree you choose, a financial one is seen as better but it's kind of irrelevant in a way as stockbroking is about sales so you just need to be able to learn financial information e.g. how different investments work (largely covered in the 3 exams). Secondly, the money. You'll start of as an opener or a 'sales executive/new business executive' as they call it. This role means you'll be cold calling all day to open accounts for the senior brokers until you've proven yourself to be worth the time and effort for the firm to pay for your brokers exams or alternatively fired. Whilst an opener, your pay will be diabolical. If you are good however, you'll be promoted quickly and the top brokers at my firm earn in excess of 250k a year without breaking sweat. Once you're done being an opener you'll be a junior broker where the exams come into play. Without these you aren't regulated, therefore worthless to the company. The 3 exams are: 1) Regulation and professional integrity, 2) Investment risk and taxation, 3) Derivatives OR securities OR private client advice. ONLY once you pass all three are you technically a stockbroker on 24k-30k a year. Then for the first 2 years you'll earn average money whilst you build your own client base (or your own openers). Once you've gone through that you'll earn big money. As for whether it's a stressful job? YES. You are constantly monitoring the charts for your clients and as for your hours. If its UK markets only then try 8am to 5.30pm mainly but newbies will be expected to stay later if they truly want to succeed. Hope this helps