Hi guys, Well in fact I would like to know if anyone could share his experience with me for those who succeeded in switching to finance and got hired thanks to the CFA exam. Actually, I have a PHd degree in electronics and I am currently working as a research engineer but would however like to work in finance. I got enrolled in CFA exam for June Level I 2009 but it’s very hard for me since I don’t have any financial background. When I tell people that I want to go and work in finance, they say I’m a bit old for that 28 years and they think I’m crazy and do not believe in me. So, could anyone tell me if he actually suceeded in moving to finance even without having a finance degree but only thanks to CFA.
it is not too late. 28 is not “old” your friends are idiots, dont let someone keep you down. only your mind is your greatest obstacle. … in fact, with your electronics background, you can get CFA and pitch yourself as a tech guy and land a research job. boutiques love the PhD type…
I started in finance at 35. Oh to be 28 again…
IMHO, you should anticipate the question and have your answer ready to go. It is natural to question why somebody with no interest in the first 28 years of life would suddenly develop a passion for the subject. It’d be like somebody with an English Lit PhD coming to you and saying they like to get into electronics research.
I also finished MS is CS and now preparing for CFA… Everybody is asking me same question…they also say things like “if I am going for CFA and career in finance …everything I learned for so many years is waste…” but remember those are people who do not want to grow…they are satisfied with the things they have…
Thanks for your answer guys. JoeyDvivre you moved to finance at 35. What did you do before?Was it difficult to do so? I guess you are now still doing level I or have you moved on.
I am 31 starting the CFA program, will be taking L1 in June. I probably won’t actually enter the job market in finance for at least 2 years. If you are old, then I am ancient. Your friends are idiots, or at least mine are. Most people live in fear of growth and risk - they want to live their lives in a cocoon of a safe little job and don’t want to do what they have to to truly excel in this world. They see nothing but possible failure. Not saying that is bad, I wish i could be the kind of guy that is satisfied with a 12 pack of beer and a fishing boat, but I cant. If I could accept what I deem as mediocrity and what others deem as satisfaction, I would not be taking this godforsaken test. Keep at it man, you’ll be done by the time you’re my age with luck, and 31 ain’t that old when you’re sitting 31 year old shoes…
michael299 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks for your answer guys. JoeyDvivre you moved > to finance at 35. What did you do before?Was it > difficult to do so? I guess you are now still > doing level I or have you moved on. College prof. Passed exams long ago but enjoy hanging out here.
JoeyDVivre Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > michael299 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Thanks for your answer guys. JoeyDvivre you > moved > > to finance at 35. What did you do before?Was it > > difficult to do so? I guess you are now still > > doing level I or have you moved on. > > > College prof. Passed exams long ago but enjoy > hanging out here. He enjoys flexing his finance muscles 
In which company are you now working in and in which field of finance?
michael, i am MS in EE, in tech field for 5 yrs now. I have inclination to work in finance field and so I am appearing for level1 this december. I am 27 and think this is the right time to do what I love. can anyone also suggest title/nature of jobs we can target as Engineer+CFA?
I’m a petroleum engineer bk, targetting research analyst job in the oil and gas sector.
I’ll be 33 next month and after spending 12 years in IT I’m finally trying to move into finance. Timing sucks with the bloodbath in the markets but I dont regret it one bit. I have 2 Master degrees and with the L1 I figure I can at least get my foot in the door for an interview at least.
How come you waited so long before deciding to take LI exam
30 and doing lvl 1. looking for a change from accounting/tax. believe it or not it is much tougher to get into banking/ER from accounting then it is from a specific engineering/mining background. alot of companies here in oz are keen to talk to sector specialists - eg petroleum enginieer (aliman).
JoeyDVivre Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > michael299 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Thanks for your answer guys. JoeyDvivre you > moved > > to finance at 35. What did you do before?Was it > > difficult to do so? I guess you are now still > > doing level I or have you moved on. > > > College prof. Passed exams long ago but enjoy > hanging out here. Joey, Are you already a Charterholder?
Degree in EE. Doing CFA at the age of 23. haha
december 2008 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > > Everybody is asking me same question…they also > say things like “if I am going for CFA and career > in finance …everything I learned for so many > years is waste…” > dumbest thing I heard. it is called synergy, and we live in a world where cross pollination of disciplines is value added. anyone who argues with that lives under a rock and bring em to boston, ill smack with a lobster.
bk Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- . > > > can anyone also suggest title/nature of jobs we > can target as Engineer+CFA? telco research
Am an engineer. Age 22. Just got a trading job and writing in level 1 in dec. U can do anything u want!