A Succession-Planning Success Story. : More than 35 years ago, Jan Earley started her career as a secretary at a national wirehouse. It didn’t take long for her to realize she wanted to become an advisor herself. When an opening popped up, she told her boss she wanted to be considered. She was passed over and the job was given to the next man who applied. Earley eventually decided to study for the Series 7 exam on her own time. With her Series 7 and 63, she was hired as financial advisor at another firm.