Career switch from IT to Finance

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swami0079

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Dear All,
I'm having around 7 yrs of experience in software development (.NET), mainly in Banking domain. After long thinking...! I want to switch my career to Finance Industry.
Though MBA is an option, I want to start as early as possible.
Please advice me If CFA level 1 exam would help to get me any job in Finance industry to start with. Long term goals are in investment banking.
If not, Please guide me regarding career switch.

Educational background: Bachelor of Engg (E&C) from India
Experience: Around 7 yrs in Software development (Microsoft technologies)
Domain worked: Brokerage product, Retail Banking( Loan origination and disbursement), and Corpate Banking (Fax Fund transfer management).

Thank you in advance...

Swami.
 
The IT to Finance question is asked very frequently, you might want to use the search function as there are some good threads.
 
But, the road for you from IT after 7 years of experience to I-Banking in the US is very tough. Why does everyone think they want to be an I-Banker anyway...
 
with tremendous amount of hours......

Its for those who are in their 20's. They dont have life. Your children and wife will hate you because you won't have time for them. You even have to work on weekend. Life will suck...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 09:24AM by cfaboston28.
 
Has it always been like this? All these IT people getting into finance worries me. 7 years ago (or really about 9 years ago, when this person made the decision to go into IT) where were we? Oh that's right, the tech bubble. Great.
 
All the matter is money
I have switched my carrier from consulting (operations, management accounting and system integration) to IB in my 26 when i have completed 75% of my finance degree (I have master of science in applied math and physics). I have begun my carrer path as a programmer (21-23). But then switched to consulting (23-26) and now I'm in IB/Private Equity. Currently i'm here 0,5 year. I think I've found what I sought.
My analyst arrangement is equal to my past consultant arrangement nonmetering year bonus assumed.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 09:43AM by Konstantin.
 
Dear All,
Thank you for suggestions... Well Money is one factor, but not the deciding factor...
I feel After 7 yrs of work in IT, growth, the work is going to be different.. Its NO MORE programming..
Career path .. Software Developer --> Sr.Software Developer --> Project lead --> Sr. Project Lead--> Project Manager..--> Sr.Project Manager--> Delivery Manager --> IBU Head...
Well starting from Project lead position... you will mainly be invloved in managing ppl, cost , client handling, getting business...
For the same amount of work yeah.. Even PM or Sr.PM has to work on week ends... !! (need to support development team)... the money earning capacity , Ppl management skills, satisfactory levels are very low.... people with 7+ yrs in software (Application) development feel they are stagnant.....
Yes.... I believe Finance is the field who love to work on different challenges every day... creating wealth.. managing money...
I want to be the major player in market, not the one who slogs and underpaid...
As for as Family ... ofcourse.. people need to define rules.... with the advance in technology... smart working might help to balance family / work life..

Please suggest me will CFA level 1 exam can offer me a job in Finance industry.. or MBA is the best route.... to enter......

Thanks in advance.....
Swami
 
I would say MBA from top school is the best route to become an Associate in IB. CFA is a long journey and doesn't guarantee you a job in IB. Many people do MBA for career change and this would be more beneficial to you as compare to CFA.

I really don't think that level I will get you a job. People do recognize that you are committed and working for CFA but switching job would be hard on the basis of level I. You might get some interviews but with your exp in IT...god knows

Keep trying...you never know.
 
"Please suggest me will CFA level 1 exam can offer me a job in Finance industry"

Level III is not going to be easy.
 
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