35 years old - Too late to start a career in Corporate Finance?

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paul1977

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Hi all,
I just sat Level 1 CFA and think I passed. I have 10 years financial services experience including 4 years in various back office roles, 3 years as a credit analyst, and most recently 3 years as a banking regulator. I am interested in moving back into industry and more specifically corporate finance. Am I too old to get into corporate finance?
 
You should always stop de-limiting beliefs.
You are never too young or too old to do anything.
 
I’m 38yo and recently switched from a Marketing career to a Finance career (corporate FP&A).
It helped that I got an MBA focused in Finance.
 
Ha you are younger than me and I just sat Level 2.
Started the CFA as the markets I trade were quiet - Level 1 was like a refresher from my college days, level 2 more challenging.
I continued with Level 2 because I actually found that I enjoyed the material (ok not so much the FRA) and found it helped me make smarter trading decisions - even after 14 years experience.
Not sure it’s a route into corporate finance, with all your experience in finance wouldn’t it be a better route to use the network of contacts you must have developed over the years rather than embark on what could at best be 18 mths of study?
 
I’m a similar age to you.
I was able to make the change from an engineering management role to direct investments. It helps that the companies I am analyzing for potential investment are all in the same industry from which I obtained the bulk of my engineering experience, and I did have an MBA (that helped me when getting my feet under the desk).
The change you are considering is quite a bit less extreme (I believe).
So, yes, you are not too old. For my part, I had similar questions/reservations when I first started writing the exams, but now I’ve finished all three levels and will reach the 48 month W/E goal post later this year.
If you scrutinize you work experience, you may find you already have some months that can count…
 
Heck no! I am 36 and looking to make a career move. I did executive recruiting for the finance industry for 7 years and am looking for a change. I passed my level 3 last year and am looking to spread my wings.
Don’t think in terms of “Too old”, rather, think of it as evolution. If you have been doing something for 10 years, why spend the next 30 years doing the same thing? I always felt sorry about people who were stuck in a rut for their whole career. There are elements of every career which can be leveraged in every other career.
I love economics so I am looking to leverage that knowledge with the roles I have done in the past to get to the next level. I support you 100% in your career move.
 
How long have you been looking? and has it been successful?
 
It’s never too late. I earned my MBA at 32 and my CFA charter at age 36 and couldn’t be happier with the great leap forward in my career that these two items fostered. Neither was a golden ticket by any means but they can be crucial catalysts that help other factors line up and fall into place.
 
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