Does CFA make sense for a PhD Engineering

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I have a phd in an engineering field from a top 20 engineering school in US and have been working in my area of speciality for the last 5 years. At this point, I am thinking of switching to a career in finance, especially investment. Is CFA right for me? With my current job, I have enough time to prepare for the exams and am pretty sure that I will be able to do well in them. However, what are my prospects after I complete CFA? How does it compare to an ivy league MBA, considering that my interest is in investment? Is age a factor with post-CFA job prospects?
 
When you say “complete” CFA I assume you mean become a charterholder. If you truly are committed to “switching to finance” You need to take an entry level job in the industry asap. You can’t be a charterholder without at least 4 years of relevant experience, even if you do pass the exams.
 
Also if you have a solid quantitative/programming background you might consider doing an MFE. Seems like a lot of MFE programs have students with PhDs in physics, math and engineering that made a career change.
Of course if you’ve had enough of partial differential equations then maybe the CFA is a better route…
 
It should be possible to jump to a quant-heavy hedge fund or trading desk without getting a CFA or MBA. I know that math & physics PhDs have made that jump.
If you want to leverage that PhD into an investment career, you need to talk to people who have made that jump. Most people on this forum are more familiar with “traditional” forays into the industry.
The guy on this board you need to talk to is joeydevire
 
Thanks Denteshek,
Yes, goal is to eventually become a charterholder. I am thinking of passing Levels 1 and 2 (hopefully) by June 2009, and then apply for an entry level position. This gives me time to prepare for the more difficult Levels 1 and 2; I will take more time because of lack of prior finance experience. Passing Level 2 will also add some financial skills to my resume, increasing my prospects of landing a job. At this point, my resume is void of any financial skillset or experience. Does this make sense?
I will be in my mid 30s by the time I pass all three levels, assuming I pass in my first attempts; is it too late?
Thanks Pox,
I looked at MFE briefly. I thought it had too much math for my interest. Was attracted more by CFA. Will look into MFE more thoroughly though.
 
asterix Wrote:
——————————————————-
> Thanks Denteshek,
>
> Yes, goal is to eventually become a charterholder.
> I am thinking of passing Levels 1 and 2
> (hopefully) by June 2009, and then apply for an
> entry level position. This gives me time to
> prepare for the more difficult Levels 1 and 2; I
> will take more time because of lack of prior
> finance experience. Passing Level 2 will also add
> some financial skills to my resume, increasing my
> prospects of landing a job. At this point, my
> resume is void of any financial skillset or
> experience. Does this make sense?
No. It does not make much sense. You need to find a job now. The longer you wait the less chance you have of eventually making the switch. Don’t delay. Entry level jobs don’t require passing any of the levels of the CFA. You just need to get your foot in the door somewhere. Expect a massive paycut.
>
> I will be in my mid 30s by the time I pass all
> three levels, assuming I pass in my first
> attempts; is it too late?
>
Not too late. I know a guy who finished his MBA at USC at age 35 after working for ten years in television/movies. Now he is a fixed income analyst and preparing for level 2.
 
I’m in the same boat. Finished Level 1, writing level 2. No luck thus far on any entry level jobs - trying for 3 years now - not even an interview. I presume it depends on your demographic area and the size of the industry in your country???? Tried MBA for one semester. CFA is a better fit in terms of more indebt investment knowledge. Enjoy it more as well. Have no answer to whether you will be able to crack the transition - I’m looking for an opportunity as well.
Can tell you straight away that I find the CFA curriculum and investment field far more interesting, enjoyable and dynamic than engineering.
Good luck.
 
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