CFA with bio undergrad? questions (Canada)

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Terms_V

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Newbie here at the forums, I’ll spare any further introducitons and get to the point. If this isn’t the right place to post this type of a thread, I welcome the suggestions.
General circumstances:
- recent graduate with a BSc in biology
- currently working as a financial services representative at one of the big 5 banks in Canada
Now, from my research it’s obvious that the CFA is not a ticket to portfolio management, or any other profession for that matter. That’s completely understandable. Given the background of my education I expect another layer of difficulties on my part with respect to studying for the exams and potential progression in terms of my career, the latter of which I assume will diffuse over time as I gain experience. My current plan is to register for the December 2015 Level I and begin studying immediately.
Those with a deeper understanding of the industry and the dynamics behind the weight of the charter:
  1. What do you wish you knew when you first signed up for the CFA?
  2. If you were to do something different in terms your career progression, what would you have done differently, if anything at all.
  3. Lastly, those of you with experience/understanding of lower level (current situation) banking positions, what is your take on the prospects of staying within the company and finishing the exams/work experience versus reaching out to other organizations? Especially in combination with my undergraduate education.
The reason why I didn’t mention what my exact plans are is because at the moment I have both, the flexibility and constraint, in terms of my short-to-long term goals and the current stance respectively. In any case, the analystforum seems like a promising community to be a part of and I appreciate all constructive feedback.
TL;DR I appreciate you taking a look at the thread and it would mean a a great deal to me if you read the post.
 
Rock the CFA and leverage your biology degree by focusing your reserach in biotech. If you are not in Toronto, move there. Get 1 year in, and then move to the US (enter under a TN1 visa, it’s easier than one would think). My 1/2 cent…
1) what is wished I knew? CFA is not a ticket to anything. Focus on breaking in, and learning the books after
2) everything…
3) not qualified to comment
Not too helpful, but perhaps will start the conversation.. Good luck!
 
1) I wish I was working as a Research Analyst when I registered for the CFA exam. If all of that knowledge isn’t put to use, it is washed away
 
Optimist85 wrote:
1) I wish I was working as a Research Analyst when I registered for the CFA exam. If all of that knowledge isn’t put to use, it is washed away
Click to expand...
#SnoopDoggyDogg
#YouNeedToGetYoSelfAJobbyJob
 
hashtag wrote:
Optimist85 wrote:
1) I wish I was working as a Research Analyst when I registered for the CFA exam. If all of that knowledge isn’t put to use, it is washed away
Click to expand...
#SnoopDoggyDogg
#YouNeedToGetYoSelfAJobbyJob
Click to expand...
you know nothing about me
 
hashtag wrote:
Optimist85 wrote:
1) I wish I was working as a Research Analyst when I registered for the CFA exam. If all of that knowledge isn’t put to use, it is washed away
Click to expand...
#SnoopDoggyDogg
#YouNeedToGetYoSelfAJobbyJob
Click to expand...
as you follow my threads so keenly, I’d suggest you to have a look at my Buy side vs Sell side thread..
don’t forget to have your diapers on
 
#TestingYourAbilityToArgue
#DontQuitYourDayTimeJob #WAITyoudonthaveone…
Optimist85 wrote:
well here is a solid enough reason
when reading posts on a thread its smooth until someone bumps into your hashtags and have to read separating word from word and in the end rereading as a complete sentence, takes out the focus from the main point and thats annoying…
Click to expand...
 
hashtag wrote:
#TestingYourAbilityToArgue #LMFAO
#DontQuitYourDayTimeJob #WAITyoudonthaveone…
Optimist85 wrote:
well here is a solid enough reason
when reading posts on a thread its smooth until someone bumps into your hashtags and have to read separating word from word and in the end rereading as a complete sentence, takes out the focus from the main point and thats annoying…
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
oh please don’t tell your momma I hurt you. she’s going to be so mad
 
@terms_V
I graduated last year with a degree in Biology, but I am in the USA. I decided my junior year that I wanted to get involved in investing, but decided to finish out my degree in Bio and go for the CFA Exams as soon as I graduated. A few tips for you would be:
* Get online/to the book store and read anything and everything that you can find on the industry and the different paths you can take once you are in the industry. Figure out what it is you want to actually do not just “invest” or “break into finance” Truely know what your interested in.
*I used my knowledge in biology to write a few articles on SeekingAlpha about some underfollowed biotech and pharma companies. Level 1 CFA Exam will give you a great basis on how to value a company. (only hard part is that most pharma and biotech companies are growth stocks and are very hard to value bc of this) It doesn’t have to be the best thing in the world, but really try to make a point as to what you think the company’s future will hold and find ways to support your opinion. Plus this has proven to be a good way to start a conversation when networking and will give you an oppurtunity to apply the skills you will learn throught the CFA curriculum.
*Stay current on whats going on in the world. If you happen to meet someone at the golf course or whatever you like to do in your freetime, you want to come across as someone who not only wants to put in the effort with the books but as someone who is interested in whats going on in the world today and what will happen in the world tomorrow.
*Lastly, network, network, network.
Hope this helps, I’m sure youve seen it all before but these are the things I’ve been focusing on the last two years since I decided to make the jump.
 
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