Which is more likely to get you a top job?
Seems to me that the socializing and making friends option might be better. Not only do you widen and enhance your circle of friends and aquaintances, your social skills also improve which result in being more likable and friendly in future social events and interviews. Somewhat of an exponential effect.
Not trying to be a troll, but some can get better results practicing sports and others practicing math problems. Which should he choose?
I guess I am saying that choose the one that better fits you. Socializing isn’t for everyone, and the time invested may not be as helpful as studying. Choose wisely.
1000 hours of plumbing school FTW
A neurosurgeon wakes up one Sunday morning and discovers that his sink is clogged. He phones a plumber who comes over, works for 5 minutes, unclogs the drain, and hands the neurosurgeon a bill for $120.
“One hundred twenty dollars! For five minutes of work? I’m a neurosurgeon and I don’t make that kind of money!”
“I know,” replies the plumber. “I didn’t make that kind of money when I was a neurosurgeon.”
study hard, get rich and people will follow to improve your social skills 
“1,000 hours of CFA study time or 1,000 hours socializing, making friends, and building a network”
If you can complete the CFA programme in 3 years (2.5 if L1 in Dec) passing all levels in first attempt then too you have more than 6500 hours (5400 hours) assuming just 6 hours available in a day for both these activities. So why it has to be “OR” and not “AND” as according to you only 2000 hours needed for both these activities.
that sounds nice in theory, but the reality is people have other obligations that require time. Some people work 50,60,70,80 hours a week. Some have families to take care of and spend time with. A son’s baseball game or just to hang out with their wife. Plus other stuff always happens like grocery shopping, going to the gym, and just daily errands. I suppose it is possible to do both, but certainly very, very tough
Yes, it is tough but, then CFA is meant to be tough and for tough guys only. That is why it is valued so much. Any compromise on that would simply mean that the Charter will just be another certificate to hang on the wall!
No theory here. You yourself allotted only 2000 hours (1000+1000 hrs) for these two activities for the whole programme. So, even if you spend 4 hours (2/3rd) of those 6 hours for your other responsibilities like the ones you have mentioned, still you have more than 14 hours per week left for these two activities, which still in total amounts to more than 2000 hrs (presuming only 2 hours/day for week ends too, though actual available time can be much more than this on weekends). Also you have not noticed I calculated only 6 hours per day for study, socialising and other essential activities and leaving out 18 hours/day for office work, sleep, and for personal routine tasks.
Finally, if you have been regular on AF you must have seen every one agrees doing this CFA programme also means lot of compromise on personal front - cutting down (many call it sacrificing) on such ‘luxuries’ as hang out with GF or wife – that is why it is really tough but CFAI curriculum and success rate make it like that (unless you are one of the geniuses who did it in 18 days or without any preparation!). Compromise (or is it sacrifice!) is the name of the game.
Doing 1000 hours of focused networking probably demands even more discipline than the CFA program. It’s perfectly plausible for many young professionals to just get drunk every night and count that as networking.
We’re supposed to hang it on the wall? Why did it come in such a nice tube then?
Definitely not hanging it on the wall…that thing is huge! If I do hang it up, people might assume that I’m compensating for something (and I’ve suggested this to CFAI, i.e. reduce the size of the certificate, but to no avail).
In regards to the original question:
1,000 hours of CFA study time might get you a top job.
1,000 hours of socializing (for fun), making friends (not acquaintances), and building a network will ensure that you get to keep your top job.
Right, the key is “intense, serious networking”, not going to the bar. Im talking about going out and doing your best to build relationships with BSD and CEOs. Very focused and meticulous approach. Thats the kind of networking im referring to.
If you network the right way, I would choose option 2. That means following up often and receiving a lot of rejections. But option 2 is mostly for extroverts as opposed to option 1 where introverts tend to do better.
True, but wouldn’t an introvert be the one that could benefit more from the networking? They are the one with fewer friends and havent been building important relationships.
An extrovert would likely have already done some decent networking and already has the social skills and does not need to practice them as much.
The introvert is the one that needs to force themself to practice social skills , meet people, and develop a more gregarious and likable personality
Asking an introvert to act like an extrovert is like asking a stubborn man to become flexible or a sex craved man to become a monk. There’s a reason they are introverts in the first place. At a certain age, it is very difficult to change. A minority can, the vast majority are not able or willing.
CFA is not what it is made out to be. CFA will not get you a job if you’re not already in the field.
Work hard, network, that’s the most important thing.
Yes, CFA will give you a better theoretical/conceptual understanding of the topics
CFA is in fact a mile wide and only an inch thick… I personally don’t thick there’s that much value - just wait until you to get to level 3 and you will realize…
Also, yes, the material is difficult at times, but the exam is not nearly that difficult relative to the material…
CFA pass rates are even going up as fewer candidates take the pledge or quit…
Bottom line, yes… there’s value, but it’s totally not what you think it is… it won’t get you to wall street. period.
I tend to agree. This is why I will not let CFA studying overtake my job responsibilities or what I perceive to be quality networking opportunities.
It will be a clear #3 for me when it comes to emphasis.
I will focus on this, in order
Kick ass at work
QUALITY networking
CFA.
Id like to pass the CFA, but I think it is foolish to forego points 1 & 2 for CFA study time. Dont get me wrong, I will try hard and study like I want to pass, it will just not be at the expense of points 1 and 2.
I recommend the CFA route
It’s more tangible and forever lasting. I actually believe that it can open more doors as a line on your resume
friends come and go, and majority of social outings will end up a waste of time