I can’t decide what exactly to do. I will graduate with a B.S.A. and minor in Finance December 2010. I haven’t paid for the June exam yet, but I have started studying with Schweser. Now is about the last chance to apply for summer analyst internships. My question is should I just focus on applying for internships and keeping my grades up, while loosely studying level 1. Then at the beginning of March see how my progress is tracked. If I’m on track, pay for it. If not just hold off until December. Or should I just go full speed ahead and focus on level 1, keep my grades up, and loosely shoot for an internship. By the way, are there fall internships ever offered?
Internship and grades >> CFA Level 1. You can always take the CFA exam later. Internships, on the other hand, are the most common door to entry level finance jobs, and are probably your best shot at landing a full time job in this economy. This year, GS hired 90% of its analyst class from its internship pool. There are some fall internships, but there are very few of them compared to summer internships. Good luck, in any case.
Internship - that’s the biggest value add you can do in undergrad or even some masters - do both if you can or just internships. I’ve seen a few internships that are fall or spring.
internship for sure. CFA level 1 isn’t worth much.
Sounds like I have my question answered. I’ll continue studying CFA in the mean time, shooting for December 2010. When I apply to these internships should I incorporate being a CFA Level 1 Canidate on my resume?
KevinSTL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > When I apply to these internships should I > incorporate being a CFA Level 1 Canidate on my > resume? Yes. Make sure you are registered for the exam first, though. It’s a violation otherwise.
Good call. You think I should just shoot for June anyway? I mean worst case I fail, and take it again in December. And I’m out $225 (student scholarship).
why internship and cfa has any conflict? i remember the yr i took cfa lvl 2, i work 14 hours a day jan to jun no joke
Well there’s no actual conflict, just mental conflict. It’s sometimes hard for me to focus on studying when I have something else on my mind. I’m just going to continue to push myself to make them both happen.
If you’re getting the scholarship, then try to do both.
KevinSTL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well there’s no actual conflict, just mental > conflict. It’s sometimes hard for me to focus on > studying when I have something else on my mind. > I’m just going to continue to push myself to make > them both happen. What do you think the CFA Program is? Most candidates have full time jobs. If the two are mutually exclusive, go with the internship.
Internship hands down! There is no substitute for experience. You can do CFA whenever, the internship is a one time opportunity and frankly if you have CFA lvl 1 and no experience you are next to useless in the eyes of most recruiters.
KevinSTL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well there’s no actual conflict, just mental > conflict. It’s sometimes hard for me to focus on > studying when I have something else on my mind. > I’m just going to continue to push myself to make > them both happen. Anyway, if you care to hear what I think - when I was in college, I considered taking the CFA L1 exam. However, I decided that it was not worth sacrificing time that I would otherwise spend on actual university classes that were more advanced, more interesting, and that I might never have the opportunity to take in the future. I understand that your dilemma comes from the possibility that the CFA L1 exam will help in your job search, but I think these lost opportunities are also worth considering.
Hello Mister Walrus Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > KevinSTL Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Well there’s no actual conflict, just mental > > conflict. It’s sometimes hard for me to focus > on > > studying when I have something else on my mind. > > I’m just going to continue to push myself to > make > > them both happen. > > Anyway, if you care to hear what I think - when I > was in college, I considered taking the CFA L1 > exam. However, I decided that it was not worth > sacrificing time that I would otherwise spend on > actual university classes that were more advanced, > more interesting, and that I might never have the > opportunity to take in the future. I understand > that your dilemma comes from the possibility that > the CFA L1 exam will help in your job search, but > I think these lost opportunities are also worth > considering. You bring up a good point. It’s definitely something I’ve given plenty of thought to. After this semester, I only have 9 credit hours left. Since I’m taking out student loans to pay for majority of each semester, I want to get the most core/important classes in the least amount of credit hours. I would love to take a class over the summer and 15 credit hours in the fall. I just don’t want to pay for it. I guess what I don’t realize is that classes you take might be more important than the “degree” itself?
jcole21 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you’re getting the scholarship, then try to do > both. Why not? Right? Worst case scenario I’m out $225.