Age...CFA

I’m thinking about is age a big concern to take CFA exam? I saw those people taking or passed CFA exams are very young, 25 or 30s. I’m already 35. If lucky I passed CFA, I could already be 40. I have been working in insurance field for more than 10 years, no experience in finance/ investment field at all, only have BA degree major in finance. Can anyone give me some suggestions is it worth to take the risk? Is age a big concern when you hiring investment analysts? Thank you.

I took my first one when I was 21.

Short story - your ability to transition into an investments role will depend more on applicable experience, education, contacts, and targeting the right firm than your age. Employers will/won’t consider age (whether they admit it or not) based on their vision for the role. If they see “analyst” as a training ground for other positions, they probably want to hire directly from universities (especially prevalent at larger shops). If they are looking for a career analyst, I would think that they might be more open to older candidates. If you really want to move to an investment role, CFA is definitely a plus, but it’s only part of the picture. Also, you don’t have to wait until you complete CFA to move into an investment role - ideally would find a junior role where you can build a skill set while you’re working through the curriculum. Combine experience with your charter, and you’d be well positioned. Hope that helps.

there are many who are older candidates. And from what I recall a sizable over 40 crowd who are candidates. I would pursue it if I were you.

http://www.analystforum.com/phorums/read.php?13,596083,596335#msg-596335

Yeah I recall something like 24 - to - 28 being my “slot” for CFA. I honestly could never see myself doing it now. Willy

Does hitting 40s really impair one’s ability to learn and memorize that much? Should I start taking Centrum silver on a daily basis to prevent that? Isn’t the average level 1 passer 29, and charterholder 32?

sternwolf Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Does hitting 40s really impair one’s ability to > learn and memorize that much? > I was smarter at 29 than I am at 45. > > Should I start taking Centrum silver on a daily > basis to prevent that? > I don’t know. Viagra seems to help. > > Isn’t the average level 1 passer 29, and > charterholder 32? I got my charter when I was 38.

hey tweety, i’m 25 and preparing to take L1 this december. i agree w/some of the other members. If you’re looking to get yourself into an investment related role, working your way through the cfa program will only help, regardless of age. Now I could be wrong but I do think employers tend to seek younger candidates for analyst roles, but if you can prove “age ain’t nothin but a number” then dont let it stop you from going for it. Good luck!

Age is irrelevant in my opinion. The thought briefly crossed my mind as I began the program at 40, but found out that it sets you apart from the crowd of the younger bunch. It is really amazing the instant credibility the three letters command. I also think being older helps you manage your time better and helps immensely with perspective.

i don’t think age should be an issue. you still have 30 years until retirement age at least. and that doesn’t consider that, from what i hear, people are working longer. get into the job you like. insurance companies hire charterholders. what do you do in insurance?

“you still have 30 years until retirement age at least.” Funny that you would say that about a 35 year old, when in this industry it’s not even necessarily true for some 20 year olds.

true. i guess i was trying to make the point that with that much time on the meter, age shouldn’t be a factor with respect to making changes in your career. like you’re saying, if your good at it, those changes could pay off a lot faster than you anticipate.

It’s not anything about that gents. It’s that at 40, you’re probably thinking about… a) I wanna go home and play with my kids. b) I want a nice dinner to fuel me for late night adult play with the wife c) I want to have late night play with the wife I mean who really wants to study at 40 years old? Besides, if you haven’t reached $300,000 by that age, it’s probably not in the cards. willy

The CFA or levels of the CFA may help you land an entry level gig at a young age but it won’t help you get much better than that until you are probably 30. Those better positions come with a combination of experience and education, at least in buyside and sell-side research. The people who make a ton of money under 30 do so because of the school they went to and the network they have. I-banking, PE, and VC are the areas where you can get paid fast and the CFA won’t really help you land any of those roles.

WillyR Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It’s not anything about that gents. It’s that at > 40, you’re probably thinking about… > > a) I wanna go home and play with my kids. > b) I want a nice dinner to fuel me for late night > adult play with the wife > c) I want to have late night play with the wife I have spoken with several analysts that have families…are they no longer qualified to work? Do they no longer have any ambition to excel at their jobs? A pretty broad generalization you have going here. Unless of course you have done a thorough study as to back up your “probable” assumptions regarding folks’ career and family goals/priorities at the age of 40? Are people in the finance industry the only ones that put in extra long work weeks? > I mean who really wants to study at 40 years old? More people then you apparently think. > Besides, if you haven’t reached $300,000 by that > age, it’s probably not in the cards. > Don’t remember the poster saying that $300k was his/her goal. Moreover, although one’s cognitive abilities certainly deteriorate with age (perhaps taking a % of one’s intelligence along with it), there is something that is definitely gained with age…wisdom. It couldn’t be more obvious that a few intelligent 20-somethings that believe that just because they go to a “prestigious” school, get solid degrees, and get a few certifications at an early age (props to you), is an implication (by subtle inferences) that they are somehow better than someone that happens to take a different course. Mr. Big (shot) Bad Sternwolf, your posting substance (in this thread and elsewhere) literally screams east coast, youthful life experience ignorance. Congrats on your academic accomplishments at such a young age, unfortunately they can’t teach respect, wisdom, or maturity at prestigious universities, three traits that you obviously lack significantly. Tweety, age is simply a mindset accompanied by a number. If you feel like you have it within yourself to accomplish your goals, then go for it. As I was told when I have raised similar questions here and elsewhere…there is a place within this industry for a person in your shoes. Is the road easy? I’m sure it is not, but does your vision of your role as an analyst exist in this realm? I say without a doubt… somewhere…if you work hard enough, it absolutely does. Best of luck to you.

Anything is possible and I think the harder something is the more valuable it can be. Employers know how hard it is to juggle life and the CFA and a good boss will recognise the amount of effort it takes. I got a Bcom at 35 and I’ll be 38 when I write Level III, shortly after my second child is born. I was also able to transition from a completely non-finance career into a dream finance job by gaining and highlighting some unique skills. So do what you want to do and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.

Willy …very encouraging…

Second that Griz Willy why the arrogance ???