Done with CFA and offered a back office role. What should I do?

Water Cooler Careers
#1

I completed level 3 in June and recently received the charter. I’m now in the market for a new job. I’m currently working for a small wealth management firm as investment analyst, and sadly the salary is quite low.

I’m on a work visa, so it has been difficult to get interviews, as most recruiters are not excited at the idea of dealing with my work visa application. However, I recently got offered a position as credit operations analyst for a big and well known investment firm. With the CFA under my belt (and MBA from non-top school), I’d rather work in front office role than back office operations. But because of the inability to find a visa sponsor, I feel like my options are limited.

Would it be realistic to make it to front office after a 1-2 years of back office work? Or should I just turn down the offer and keep applying for a front office position?

#2

My advice will be to continue working at your current company and then make a change to an asset management role, if they are willing to sponsor your visa.

#3

Be realistic here. Are you really going to get that front office position? If you even stand a chance, is applying from the operations department of a big firm going to be worse than doing it from your current, pretty low level sounding job?

#4

Run off with Lyanna and get married. Be sure not to tell her brothers or dad so you can surprise them later. Have a great honeymoon!