Canada CFA Level1 and career opportunities

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gladaki

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Guys,
Need a bit of advice. will appreciate honest opinion.
I am currently working in oil and fas service sector in Alberta, more or less Geologist & Geophysicist (I have a Math degree) but on software side. Basically help customers on using oil and gas software for leading oil and gas service provider. I earn close to 85k$ and 32 year old. 3-4 year of industry experience blame it to my higher education.
I have a interest in Finance sector specially on stock analysis and ER side. I do for my own investments. I am looking to move to east (Toronto ) in future. I am wondering if CFA L1 will help me in getting new opportunity there.
Can you guys help me with some enquires ?
1.Being 33 year old with CFA L1 and no experience of finance at all, will that be an issue for finding finance job ?
2.What are job prospects for finance in areas like Toronto, Montreal or vancouver ?
3.Should I expect a big salary cut ?
4.Also, Is it enought to prepare from April for CFA L1, I can put 2 hours on weekdays and 6-8 hours on weekends.
5.Will be grateful, if you can share a study plan for me
Any help will be appreciated ?
 
Your big mistake is looking to move east. There are tons of ER shops in town here that cover oil and gas and hire people like you with geology experience. Play to your strengths.
Salary I’d expect what you’re earning today +/- a bit getting started. Total comp will be higher.
Not a slam dunk candidate with your background, but it is what it is. Your best and probably only shot is an energy focused firm out west.
 
geo wrote:Your big mistake is looking to move east. There are tons of ER shops in town here that cover oil and gas and hire people like you with geology experience. Play to your strengths. Salary I’d expect what you’re earning today +/- a bit getting started. Total comp will be higher. Not a slam dunk candidate with your background, but it is what it is. Your best and probably only shot is an energy focused firm out west.
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Appreciate your reply and for being honest :)..
 
Your math background will help with a fair amount of the curriculum – Quant, Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Equity, Fixed Income, Derivatives – but you’ll need to work on Econ and especially FRA: accounting is, obviously, quite mathematical, but it’s also a lot of memorization of rules.
Pure math or applied math? My concentration for my master’s was in algebra and topology.
 
your best bet is joining an equity research team covering oil/gas. everything else, your odds are very slim to none
 
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