Other Opportunities
OPTIONS Program
This program gives top-performing, highly motivated graduates the opportunity to gain experience in a range of business areas, working closely with Raymond James senior management during four-month rotations in three distinct business units.
Participants take part in a wide range of professional development and networking opportunities supplemented by meetings, roundtable discussions and special events with members of the firm’s senior management, including Chairman Tom James and CEO Paul Reilly. They then have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a dynamic career with the company.
As part of the yearlong program, OPTIONS participants attend courses at Raymond James University and are encouraged to complete the Series 7 exam, a comprehensive financial securities exam. All positions are at the company’s international headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Applicants should have a genuine interest in the financial services industry, demonstrated achievement and self-direction. In addition to an application, the selection process for this program requires (at later stages) letters of reference, completion of selected essay questions, pre-employment testing and in-person panel interviews with participating departments.
Raymond James Financial reserves the right to alter the program as business needs may direct. Participants are not guaranteed full-time positions upon completion of their rotations – rather, they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to individual departments and managers who may consider them for full-time employment.
IT Foundations Program
Consistently ranked among Computerworld magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work in IT,” the Raymond James IT department offers outstanding opportunities for highly motivated graduates to gain knowledge and real-world experience. Through the IT Foundations Program, you’ll rotate through key areas of the department and explore prospective career paths. The Raymond James Information Technology department offers an outstanding opportunity for highly motivated bachelor-level and advanced degree graduates to gain valuable knowledge and information technology experience. This program involves rotations through several key IT departments at the company’s international headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Exceptional graduates who have an intense desire to learn product and project management skills are encouraged to apply. The program involves gaining work experience while actively engaged in various important projects and activities directly related to the profitability and operation of the firm. The individuals will rotate through several areas and assume roles related to product management, project management, software engineering, IT security and business analysis.
Applicants should have an affinity for the information technology industry, combined with a strong interest in project management and analysis. The ideal candidates will have strong communication and follow-up skills, the flexibility to quickly adapt to changes common in the IT environment, and the proven ability to coordinate and accomplish simultaneous tasks in a project. Participants must be able to thrive in a team-oriented structure that values initiative and creativity.
Advisor Mastery Program
If you’re interested in a career as a financial planner, you should know about our Advisor Mastery Program. Through this 21-month program you’ll gain the specialized skills, in-depth knowledge, real-world experience and industry licenses you need.
Internships
As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to gain experience and learn from leaders in your chosen career field. We also partner with INROADS, a nonprofit organization that develops talented minority youth for professional careers. It’s part of our commitment to a diverse and dynamic workforce. In fact, we were honored at the Tampa Bay 20th Anniversary INROADS Awards for our commitment to the program and our continued support.
Several of our interns were recognized for their accomplishments, including Christian Pryor, who was honored for academic achievement; Jorge Echarte, who received the Trendsetter Award for high academic honors; and Barry Estelhomme, who was awarded the Alumni Scholarship Award for outstanding community service.
Since becoming an INROADS partner, Raymond James has taken the program’s ideals and ultimate goal – creating lasting opportunities for our interns and our firm – to heart. Since we started, enrollment has more than doubled; we’ve added formal mentors, more structure and development opportunities. Our efforts have resulted in retention rates of more than 90%.
Mentorships
In the spirit of contributing to our community, Raymond James reaches out to local high school and University of South Florida students to better prepare them for professional careers after graduation.
For example, the Academy of Finance offers Northeast High School students hands-on experience through paid internships with Raymond James. The program was designed to give high school students an opportunity to learn about and prepare for college careers in business and finance. Participants have the opportunity to learn and develop their relationship, communication and computational skills – all of which are essential to be successful in the financial industry. Emphasis is placed on a college preparatory curriculum that is directly linked to the business world and focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of financial industry elements.
The Project Thrust Corporate Mentor Program exists to provide USF business students the opportunity to interact in a one-on-one advisory relationship with a professional in their chosen career fields. Students gain exposure to the corporate environment and get the chance to observe and ask questions relevant to necessary job skills, demands of the job and company expectations in order to be better prepared for a career in the financial services industry.
Mentors work with the students throughout the fall and spring terms. Orientation is planned for September 23, and the program will end in April. Mentors meet with students approximately once a month for a couple of hours to offer advice on career plans and advancement strategies.
For more information, call 813.974.4227.