IT Manager to CFA (Portfolio Manager)

A

arahul

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2026
Messages
0
Reaction score
0
Hi,
I am an IT manager. I wanted to know if CFA is the right way to change career path from IT to 100% finance (and eventually work towards Portfolio manager). I have some knowledge of finance (do regular trading for my personal portfolio). I am extremely interested in the field of finance, researching companies and trading, so wanted to make it as my career. How easy/difficult is it to change the career path and get a job by writing a CFA (instead of doing an MBA in finance)?
 
Welcome arahul, Please be seated. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your dreams? Has anything been bothering you lately?
 
Hi comp_sci_kid, thanks for responding. I am well established in the field of IT and nothing to complain. Numbers always fascinated me. While working in IT department of some financials, I got interested in equity trading. So started investigating more for my personal investments, which only increased my interest further. Am doing reasonably well trading equities now, and am curious to learn about more investment options/vehicles and understanding the fundamentals to the deepest. Until now, like most Indians, i followed the crowd and worked in IT. Now, i want to do something that really interests me and write CFA exams. Mostly after level 1 or 2, i want to slowly transition to jobs which involve researching and managing portfolios, hopefully at a good financial and actually follow pursue my interest.
 
^ The good news is that there are only about 800,000 people from the subcontinent with exactly the same profile as you, wanting to make the same exact transition as you. Good luck!
 
Nearly everyone on this forum says that passing CFA exams is not going to get you a job in finance. They say that MBA is the way to go. A CFA charter will help you when you already have a job in finance. I will add that networking and hustle will be greatly needed to get your foot in the door to a finance role. Good luck.
/Looking foward to itera’s response
 
if you said “thank you come again” What kind of replies do you get ?
 
JBrowntown wrote:
Nearly everyone on this forum says that passing CFA exams is not going to get you a job in finance. They say that MBA is the way to go. A CFA charter will help you when you already have a job in finance. I will add that networking and hustle will be greatly needed to get your foot in the door to a finance role. Good luck.
/Looking foward to itera’s response
Click to expand...
Not just anyone, top 1.
 
former trader wrote:
JBrowntown wrote:
Nearly everyone on this forum says that passing CFA exams is not going to get you a job in finance. They say that MBA is the way to go. A CFA charter will help you when you already have a job in finance. I will add that networking and hustle will be greatly needed to get your foot in the door to a finance role. Good luck.
/Looking foward to itera’s response
Click to expand...
So first it was Top 3, Then it was Top 2, now it is Top 1. When did we upgrade?
Not just anyone, top 1.
Click to expand...
 
Hi arahul, like most Indians, yes you did follow the crowd and go to work in IT…and like most Indians you are following the crowd and trying to get into finance. You’re making the same mistake again by following the crowd…and no, CFA will not get you a job in finance, CFA helps if you are already in the field. Do a top 10 MBA and you have a shot…maybe. WAY TOO MANY INDIAN IT MANAGERS TRYING TO BECOME PORTFOLIO MANAGERS…WHY?
 
Lol. I would really be interested if there was some popular Bollywood movie that sensationalized PMs leading to this trend. Seriously though you have a better chance at a robo-advisor firm so you can market your tech skills.
 
Hey guys!!!! What about a person who is just 19 right out of college and doing his CA(INDIA) which is CPA for US as well as CFA…?????????
 
^ If you had a good American name like Harold, maybe. Koo-mar? What is that–five O’s or two U’s?
 
I think things that help include certifications (like CFA), internships, trading competitions.
Having an investment track record would help eg your real money portfolio or something like www.trackrecorder.com, a website service that allows users to maintain a verifiable investment track record on paper portfolios.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top