Hello All!! Just wanted to know if there was anyone who give me some advice on this: Am a CFA Level 1 candidate, due to take the exam in June 2008. A Math and Economics Specialist BSc. from University of Toronto, okay GPA 3.36. Want to break into the financial sector- am very interested in Equity Research. Currently have a rather dull job at a major custodian bank in Toronto. Am a temp, but they are making the move to give me a permanent slot. The problem is that its an accounting related position- nothing to do with CFA, not to mention ER!!! Money won’t be very good either- just about okay. Good thing is that once a perm I could move on to better things within the bank (lots of CFA related stuff). But “could” does not mean “will”- should I take up the offer, or just say no and wait for better things to come my way?
this is easy… what better things are you moving on to??? I would take job and network with all the people you do want to work with… a dull job is better then no job…
this is easy… what better things are you moving on to??? I would take job and network with all the people you do want to work with… a dull job is better then no job…
Which is what I wanted to know. Are the better things out there? How easy is it to get a job working as an ER in Toronto? So far, in my experience, not really!! Went for an interview last week. A really tiny (I think the term is boutique) investment house (read one man fund- though one smart man, I am sure!!) looking for a Portfolio Mgmt. Associate. They told me they’d get back to me in a couple of weeks. Is it okay to ask them for a preliminary response, before I say yes to my current company? How do these things work? Goldenboy09- so keep at the dull job and keep looking for better work? Hmmmm…
Why are you interested in Equity Research?
Turkish: I really like analytical work. I am one of those that really likes math. So yes- how the hell does this tie up to ER!!! No idea. Just think that I should narrow it down to some thing, or a few things… Frankly, am really confused about where I should be…
Lets put it this way, you don’t have many options at the moment (in fact you only have one) so why don’t you take this perm job, pass Level 1, and then begin looking? Or, better yet, still take the perm job and start keeping an eye out on job conditions in your area now and continue until you pass level 1. When your dealt a tough hand in this industry its pretty difficult to bluff - unless you know some people, like the dealer and the surrounding players.
Well accounting is actually more related to CFA than some other jobs…like IT, especially if you are dealing with Fin. Stmts. So take it and go from there. The accounting will help you in L2 as well…unless its more like a bookkeeping/payroll type of job, then it won’t help you at all, just bore you to death. None the less as it was mentioned before any job is better than no job. Also employers prefer to hire someone who is already employed rather than an unemployed individual…at least I found it that way…always easier to find a job when you already have one. Good Luck
Unfortunately, its a little more process oriented positions- not exactly analysing statements!! Its a great team- the job is so-so… Thanks guys for all the inputs!!
probably one of the best ways to get in to ER is from school. since you’re already out, you might want to consider an MBA in a year or two and focus intensly on getting in the door. alternatively, you can target boutiques now and keep networking until you land something more related to the field. I wouldn’t worry so much about whether the job is relevant to the CFA (although I know it’s always a consideration), but relevant to the field. But on another note, if you don’t have an active interest in stocks and the market, forget about getting in to ER. The first thing they sniff out are people who are just in it for the paycheque. You have to love it… the game, the companies, etc… not just math. If you’re so interested in math, I would recommend you go back and do a masters and even a phd, because the best math jobs are given to quants. That’s my perspective at least.