I graduated university with a degree in Finance. I like the material and the subject, and I don’t mind putting in a few years of work experience, but I don’t really plan on staying in this industry forever. More than anything, I want another challenge in my life as undergraduate was a JOKE and I think having the CFA initials following my name would lend a lot of credibility to whatever I plan on doing next. I’m not worried about the Level 1 exam as it’s basically my entire 400-level undergrad regurgitated, but I feel like it might catch up with me in Level 2 and 3. Anyone else in a similar position? I graduated university with a degree in Finance. I like the material and the subject, and I don’t mind putting in a few years of work experience, but I don’t really plan on staying in this industry forever. More than anything, I want another challenge in my life as undergraduate was a JOKE and I think having the CFA initials following my name would lend a lot of credibility to whatever I plan on doing next. I’m not worried about the Level 1 exam as it’s basically my entire 400-level undergrad regurgitated, but I feel like it might catch up with me in Level 2 and 3. Anyone else in a similar position?
Why waste your time? If this is not the industry for you, and you know that, why not pursue something that you do want to do for the rest of your life?
So how will it lend you credibility in whatever you plan on doing next? So how will it lend you credibility in whatever you plan on doing next?
CameronH Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- I’m not worried about the Level 1 exam > as it’s basically my entire 400-level undergrad > regurgitated, but I feel like it might catch up > with me in Level 2 and 3. > > Anyone else in a similar position? Biggest misconception about L1.
topher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So how will it lend you credibility in whatever > you plan on doing next? > > So how will it lend you credibility in whatever > you plan on doing next? Ah, this is good. I should have gone with a response like this. +1 sir, +1.
This industry IS for me, right now. It wont be in a few years, I suspect. And a CFA is a very credible designation, especially where I live. “Oh, he has a CFA? He’s obviously not a complete moron” vs “Oh, he has an undergraduate degree? Must have had an awesome 4 year vacation…”
Hahahaha we’ll see what you say after studying for Level 2 and 3…
CFA_Halifax Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hahahaha we’ll see what you say after studying for > Level 2 and 3… +1
I guess the part where I said “I like finance” went right over your heads, right ?
It’s your life do whatever the hell you want.
CameronH Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I guess the part where I said “I like finance” > went right over your heads, right ? Sign up, you’ll see.
I did sign up… level 1 in June. And I’m not sure why people are being so negative about this? I didn’t ask for your INPUT, I asked if anyone else was in a similar boat. Seems like you guys are a bunch of ‘holier than thou’ CFAI textbook humpers… no different than the CA guys.
My .02 If you do not plan to stay in the industry for awhile (you will need 4 years of qualified work experience just to use the letters btw), then I would suggest something else. The CFA is not well known outside of financial services. For immediate credibility for various positions, get the CPA or MBA. It seems that many different positions have CPA or MBA Preferred in the qualifications.
CameronH Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I did sign up… level 1 in June. > > And I’m not sure why people are being so negative > about this? I didn’t ask for your INPUT, I asked > if anyone else was in a similar boat. > > Seems like you guys are a bunch of ‘holier than > thou’ CFAI textbook humpers… no different than > the CA guys. I was just giving you fair warning man, looking out for you - - - if you signed up for June '09 L1 and you think it is just the same as college, you have a fair chance of seeing a Fail come end of July. You have to know this material well enough to teach it. The material might be the same, but the level of competency is not. . . . if you just ‘don’t mind’ doing finance I think you are going to have a real hard time with the CFA program. I haven’t cleared all three levels yet but anyone who I know that gets through it is either really smart, really passionate about finance and the knowledge gained in the program, really dedicated to clearing all three levels, or most likely a mix of the three.
In answer to your question, no there probably aren’t too many people in your situation.
Just for the designation? What, are you crazy? At least do it for the ladies…(or men, whatever you like).
I also came out of undergrad with a Finance background, I found Level 1 to be fairly straightforward with material very similar to what I learned in university. I still put in a substantial amount of hours into studying because some things like ethics was completely new to me. The material might not be too hard, but you are underestimating the VOLUME of material. This is like studying for 6 university courses and writing a 6 hour exam on all 6 courses at once.
CFA_Halifax Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hahahaha we’ll see what you say after studying for > Level 2 and 3… Level 2 is even more straight forward than level 1.
philip.platt Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > CameronH Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I did sign up… level 1 in June. > > > > And I’m not sure why people are being so > negative > > about this? I didn’t ask for your INPUT, I > asked > > if anyone else was in a similar boat. > > > > Seems like you guys are a bunch of ‘holier than > > thou’ CFAI textbook humpers… no different > than > > the CA guys. > > > I was just giving you fair warning man, looking > out for you - - - if you signed up for June '09 L1 > and you think it is just the same as college, you > have a fair chance of seeing a Fail come end of > July. > > You have to know this material well enough to > teach it. The material might be the same, but the > level of competency is not. > > > > . . . if you just ‘don’t mind’ doing finance I > think you are going to have a real hard time with > the CFA program. I haven’t cleared all three > levels yet but anyone who I know that gets through > it is either really smart, really passionate about > finance and the knowledge gained in the program, > really dedicated to clearing all three levels, or > most likely a mix of the three. I appreciate your warning and trust me when I say I fully understand the volume of the material. I was a T.A. in university and I ran a tutoring business, teaching accounting and finance classes. It’s safe to say that I understand the material pretty damn well. Regardless, I was recently laid off so I have the next couple of months to study full time. Looking forward to it.
No one looks forward to studying level one. You have no idea what you’ve signed up for…