Career Changers: From Film School to Finance.
By: Beau Hombach, Sr Content Manager
Changing careers can feel daunting—especially if the new field looks nothing like the one you started in. But at Charles Schwab, we see that as an opportunity. With the right training, resources, and support, professionals from all backgrounds can bring fresh perspectives and thrive in financial services.
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That’s exactly what happened for Schwabbie George B. - he began his career in film school, with dreams of Hollywood and a future in editing. But when he realized the industry wasn’t the right fit, he shifted to customer service roles and discovered a passion for helping others. That spark ultimately led him into finance, a field where he didn’t have formal experience but found the tools and encouragement to succeed.
Today, George is a manager in Client Service & Support, where he leads a team, mentors new professionals, and continues to build a career that feels both fulfilling and sustainable. His story shows that at Schwab, your starting point doesn’t define your future – what matters is your drive to grow and your commitment to helping clients succeed.
Finding his calling
When George looks back on his career path, the destination still surprises him. Before joining the world of finance, he was a film student with dreams of Hollywood. He and a friend moved from St. Louis to Chicago to study film editing, but after graduation, he realized his passion lies in helping others.
“I’ve always been a creative person, but I also knew I wanted to do something with purpose. At the end of the day, I just love helping people. That’s something my family instilled in me from a young age.”
Returning home to St. Louis, George worked in customer service roles and call centers, where he discovered his natural inclination for service over sales. A friend eventually encouraged him to apply at Scottrade, and that was the beginning of a new career trajectory. He dove into studying for his Series 7 and 63 licenses and found himself drawn to the challenge and opportunity of the brokerage industry.
Discovering Schwab’s culture
After joining Schwab, George quickly noticed a cultural difference. “At other companies, leadership would dismiss feedback with, ‘we’ve always done it this way,’” he explains. “At Schwab, if you have an idea, people want to hear it—and you actually see change come from that feedback.”
That openness, combined with what he calls a “big firm, small family” feel, stood out. “We genuinely care about each other here. I spend time with Schwabbies outside of work. We support one another, and we also know how to have fun—which matters in a stressful industry.”
As one of the St. Louis site leads for Schwab’s Engagement Activators, George helps plan events that bring employees together. From cultural celebrations to annual golf tournaments, he sees these gatherings as a way to strengthen community and ease workplace stress.
A day in the life
As a manager in Schwab’s Client Service & Support (CS&S) Core Service group, George’s focus is on developing his team. He spends his days providing feedback, coaching, and reviewing client interactions to help representatives build confidence and deliver excellent service.
“I want my team to feel supported and know their growth is just as important as client outcomes,” George says. “That means setting goals together, creating development plans, and making sure we follow through on them.”
Outside of coaching, George contributes to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and communications efforts at his site, helping make sure every professional feels connected and informed.
Growth through support
George credits much of his success to Schwab’s investment in training and development. Early on, he participated in leadership readiness programs like “Project Yoda” in St. Louis, which paired him with a mentor for six months. He also benefited from shadowing leaders, assistant manager stints, and ongoing learning resources like LinkedIn Learning, Harvard Business Review, and leadership workshops.
“I’ve never felt unsupported here,” he says. “There’s always something new to learn and ways to keep growing.”
That support was especially clear during the transition from Ameritrade to Schwab. “It was gradual and transparent,” George recalls. “Leaders were visible, clear in their messaging, and followed through on what they said. That built trust and helped me guide my team through the change.”
Making an impact
Today, George measures success not only in licenses and leadership milestones but in the difference he makes for clients and colleagues.
“Schwab has allowed me to achieve personal goals—buying a home, getting married, and now preparing to welcome a child. Professionally, I’ve earned multiple licenses and grown as a leader. But what matters most is helping my team grow and ensuring clients feel supported and cared for.”
Advice for career changers
For those considering a shift into finance, George offers both encouragement and honesty.
“Finance can be stressful, so you need to do it for the right reasons. But don’t be afraid—Schwab’s Service Academy is the best in the industry. Even if you don’t come from a finance background, if you’re motivated to learn and you truly want to help people, you can succeed here.”
Why Schwab?
For George, the answer is simple: opportunity, culture, and purpose.
“Schwab invests in its people and its mission. There’s growth potential in every direction—service, technology, wealth management, branding, you name it. But beyond opportunities, Schwab truly cares. I’ve never once thought about leaving. I come to work every day with a smile, knowing I’m helping clients with something that matters—their financial futures—and having fun while doing it.”
Growth starts with a single step
George’s journey from film editing to finance proves that you don’t need a traditional background to build a meaningful career at Schwab. What you do need is curiosity, a service mindset, and the willingness to take that first step. Schwab meets you there, with training programs like our Service Academy, leadership development tracks, and a culture that values continuous learning.
For George, that support opened doors he never imagined: earning multiple industry licenses, stepping into leadership, and creating the kind of career that has changed not only his professional life, but also his personal one. Along the way, he’s found a community of colleagues who support each other, celebrate milestones, and make work fun.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
If you’re considering a career change – whether you’re coming from teaching, retail, creative industries, or anywhere in between – George’s experience is proof that it’s possible. At Schwab, you’ll find the opportunity to pivot, the resources to grow, and the confidence to build a career that makes an impact. Check out our careers in finance and more today.
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