Is CFA a career booster?

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Pamir

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Hello,
I graduated in political sciences and foreign languages, and now I want to take a CFA (1st level) exam next June. It is clear that a relevant work experience, market situation, and other factors increase/ decrease person´s chances for success. But according to many comments in this forum, there are some common negative patterns which give an impression that CFA is a total waste of time and money.
In this regard, I wanted to ask those with non-economic/ financial/ engeneering backfround, in how far the CFA candidacy or charter influenced your career chances?
Thank you for your answers in advance. :)
Best regards,
I.
 
No, it will not help you very much coming from a political science/foreign language background with no relevant experience. I’m surprised so many people struggle to understand this. Seems like common sense to me. It is obviously not a waste of time and money for people IT WAS MEANT FOR with a relevant background and experience.
 
Actually, except my university degree, I did not say anything about my experience AT ALL! I am sursrised that some people do not even struggle to understand that their conslusions might be wrong! No economics degree = no relevant experience seems to be common sense to you! Except the offence, you wrote nothing to answer my question!
My initial concern was whether my experience and CFA would be as highly regarded as so. with experience and economics/ finance degree!
But thanx for spoiling my mood!
 
You can just ignore him. He’s a miserable, bitter piece of garbage and just trolls everyone here.
Your question was genuine and is exactly why this board exists. Don’t let a troll spoil your mood. I’m still in the process of obtaining the charter, and my degree was in finance so I can’t really help you here, just thought it prudent to not let one idiot derail your goals.
 
ltj wrote:
You can just ignore him. He’s a miserable, bitter piece of garbage and just trolls everyone here.
Your question was genuine and is exactly why this board exists. Don’t let a troll spoil your mood. I’m still in the process of obtaining the charter, and my degree was in finance so I can’t really help you here, just thought it prudent to not let one idiot derail your goals.
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lol hit a nerrrrrve. You gonna go cry to your mommy?
On a serious note, is anything that I’ve said incorrect? I’ve seen this type of question a million times and the answer is so obvious it’s ridiculous how often it’s asked.
 
I doubt that you understand my question properly. But that´s ok. Decoding the language is not for everyone ;).
 
Pamir wrote:

I doubt that you understand my question properly. But that´s ok. Decoding the language is not for everyone ;).
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Terribly broken English? Ya you’re right.
Sorry to say but based on your grasp of the English language in your last few posts, I don’t even think it’s possible for you to clear these exams (especially level 3).
 
No, you did not hit a nerve, nor have any of your horrible attempts at trolling. The OP said you spoiled their mood and I felt it necessary to inform them that someone of your ilk shouldn’t have the power to do so.
 
ltj wrote:
No, you did not hit a nerve, nor have any of your horrible attempts at trolling. The OP said you spoiled his mood and I felt it necessary to inform him that someone of your ilk shouldn’t have the power to do so.
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Truth hurts sometimes…
 
Yeah, that’s fantastic. You’re a piece of shit. Really and truly.
 
ltj wrote:
Yeah, that’s fantastic. You’re a piece of shit. Really and truly.
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Sorry the truth has angered you so much that you felt the need to lash out at someone on the internet. Everything ok at home/work? Maybe you should seek some professional help? I’m completely serious, this could be a real issue you have on your hands.
Let’s sum up what we’ve learned from this thread:
  1. The CFA probably won’t help the OP much with an undergrad in political science/no finance related work experience.
  2. Even if it would marginally help, the OP’s loose grasp of the English language would undoubtedly make passing the exams next to impossible (especially level 3).
  3. ltj has deep-rooted anger issues and probably nursed until he was 2.
  4. I have saved the OP thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of headache.
Do I get a medal or some kind of good samaritan prize?
 
I don’t think having undergrad in political science is an impediment to a career in asset management, many portfolio managers especially for fixed income have political science backgrounds.
 
OP, what’s your professional background? If you graduated in Pol.Sci and are already working in finance role, then I’d say yes there’s a chance it’ll boost your career.
If you are not in finance role, then it’s technically not a booster since there’s nothing to ‘boost’. CFA won’t guarantee transition into high finance.
I know couple people from science background wasted $3000 on CFA L1 course and not even a single interview after they pass. I’ve worked for both BB and boutique since graduating little over 3 years ago and neither of the place even considered people from science/arts/political science background and the resume went straight to trash. The only time someone was granted interview was because his father was a client but even then he didn’t get selected and it was only a courtesy interview.
 
The firm I’m at is going under and my fiancee broke off the engagement. I’m seeing a psychiatrist now, and despite all of this, I find IsThereAny to be a tremendous dick. IsThereAny, you’re not as funny as Debbie Downer and I think you need to obtain the required amount of work experience before you can judge other people on this forum (as your image implies).
 
P.S. None of the first 1.5 sentences in my last post are true, it’s just that IsThereAny infers that someone would have to had hit a patch of bad luck in their life to find his trolling offensive and useless. To the original poster, take the path less traveled; pave your own way.
 
CubsFanCPA wrote:
The firm I’m at is going under and my fiancee broke off the engagement. I’m seeing a psychiatrist now, and despite all of this, I find IsThereAny to be a tremendous dick. IsThereAny, you’re not as funny as Debbie Downer and I think you need to obtain the required amount of work experience before you can judge other people on this forum (as your image implies).
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haha another Sensitive Sally. Judging from this outburst, you must have spent 3 years on the teet.
 
I was in car sales for almost 4 years before a repeat client suggested I give the CFA a shot to get into finance (I had a pure econ (useless) and biology background, no finance, only 1 acct class). Knocked those test out in 2 years flat. After Level 2, I got into valuation. I know people from my office who have networked their way into equity research and other interesting careers. So from my experience it is possible.
High finance though (like BSD ballin), I haven’t heard any stories from my offices or nationally but it’s like that quote by Schwarzenegger
“I love it when someone says that no one has ever done this before, because then when I do it that means that I’m the first one that has done it.”
 
To me an undergraduate degree in finance/econ does not give you anything that one can not learn from going thorugh the CFA level 1 material. I’ve known finance majors who can’t even read three statements properly from reputable schools. If you have passion and network it’s definitely a boost to your career.
 
IsThereAny wrote:
CubsFanCPA wrote:
The firm I’m at is going under and my fiancee broke off the engagement. I’m seeing a psychiatrist now, and despite all of this, I find IsThereAny to be a tremendous dick. IsThereAny, you’re not as funny as Debbie Downer and I think you need to obtain the required amount of work experience before you can judge other people on this forum (as your image implies).
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haha another Sensitive Sally. Judging from this outburst, you must have spent 3 years on the teet.
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I already told you, you’re not allowed to judge. And as a heterosexual male, let me tell you that I love teets and wish I could spend 3 years on them.
 
CubsFanCPA wrote:
The firm I’m at is going under and my fiancee broke off the engagement. I’m seeing a psychiatrist now
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It would have been a more believable story if you just told us the truth… that you’re seeing the psychiatrist for being a cubs fan and the inevitable depression the team brings you year after year.
 
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