I need some advice: I wrote and passed cfa level 2 this past June and am considering whether I should write level 3 this coming June or postpone it until the following year. Here are the issues at hand: on one hand, I don’t have a job that qualifies my to get the charter so it’s not like passing level 3 this year will get me my professional designation. Second, I’ve had some health issues this year and I don’t want to put my body through unnecessary stress. On the other hand, my husband and I are thinking of trying to start a family over the next couple of years so don’t know if I should get it over with or go with the flow and see how it all plays out. Then there is the fact that I am currently searching for a job in the field of investments and I don’t want to look like the candidate who isn’t so ambitious to write the exam! So many factors to consider and I am honestly going back and forth. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Health > everything else.
So I would judge it on that factor alone.
If health is good, I would go for it, as you do not want to be studying with a baby on the way.
Agree with dwheats. As long as you’re healthy enough, don’t postpone. Better to have the exams out of the way and move forward with life unencumbered IMHO.
Do it and you can focus and be disciplined.
Things won’t necessarily get any easier in a few years…
Let me get this straight–you’ve had a few health problems, and feel too stressed out to study for another exam. You’re thinking of having a child instead. Did I miss something here?
If I were you, I’d finish the exam (as long as it doesn’t jeopardize your health, that is). Even if you don’t yet qualify for the initials, finishing the exam will earn you a huge amount of respect, and you’ll finally get the monkey off your back. Then you can focus on the job search and family. But if you don’t do it now, there’s little chance that you’ll do it later.
HAHA!
Health should be definitely priority no. 1. If health is good, then don’t delay as it will only make your task tougher in the future considering that you want a kid. Stress will always be there whether you take exam now or later…so no point in delaying it. Good Luck!
agree with Greenie, finish the program. once you go down the family road, it gets 2x harder
Hi, I just want to throw in my 2 cents, from a perspective of a mother studying for level 3. Definitely get it out of the way before you start a family. I wrote level 1 when my son was 9 months old and level 2 when he was 2 and a half, while doable, I would not wish this upon anyone. While I don’t know the extent of your health problems, I can honestly say that tending to a baby while trying to study for exam will not do your health any good. Apart from all the frustrating and the stress associated with having to study and tend to small kids, there is also a sence of guilt for spending countless hours studying, which you could otherwise be spending with you kids. Besides, you may want to take advantage of the fact that you recently passed level 2 - hopefully, you’re still in study mode. The fact that you don’t have the work experience should hardly be an argument, since you’ll complete the most chellenging aspect of the charter. The experience will come, and once you start a family you’ll thank yourself for finishing the program. I wish you good luck!
Why do people think “either I have the CFA initials or I don’t”, as if there’s no value to passing the test?
Personally, I’ve never understood why people get so hung up on the experience requirement, and why they wait to start the program until after they’ve gotten the requisite experience.
Once you’re done with the test, you get your life back. You’re not held hostage to studying anymore. You don’t always have that nagging feeling “man, I really need to be studying right now” in the back of your mind. You can enjoy holidays (like Memorial Day) without feeling guilty about not studying.
Once you’re done with the test, you’re on easy street. Then it’s just a matter of paperwork. And most employers (from my experience) will see “passed CFA exam” on your resume and give you the proper respect.
Hit the nail on the head Greenman72, puts things into perspective.