Might as well finish the CFA?

[lockheed10023]

Been out of work for well over a year now, and I thought that passing L2 would at least incrementally help my chances of employment, which it obviously did not. So if you were in a similar situation, you put the effort to pass 1 and 2, would you still try to pass L3, knowing that it won’t help in the short run, and possibly never help at all in regards to working in the industry again? Might as well nip it in the bud thing?
It’s this reoccuring thought I always have when I go to this weekly review course and look at all the participants who are all coming to the class after whatever finance job they have, all polished and white collared looking, because getting the Charter is actually going to benefit them.
I’m always thinking, what the fck am I doing here anymore?

 

[S2000magician]

I’d finish it.
But I do odd things sometimes.

 

[Aether]

If you already put in the effort, take the exam. It is like a call option at this juncture… your chances may increase after you put “passed L3” on your resume. Hard to get in if you’re not in the industry, but then hard to see all the time wasted being this close to exam day (assuming you’ve already put in the hours). Especially if you have idle time.
I’d rethink if I were to retake it next year though.

 

[bahgill]

If youve already paid for it, why not?
If you havent….idk, depends what your financial situtation is like but if you have expendable funds, why not?

 

[MAR1]

If you pass Level 3, it’s gonna make you happy–maybe not like a new job, but still it’s an accomplishment that is not insignificant. And studying keeps your brain stimulated—keeps you sharp. Plus the option thing that Aether mentioned.

 

[geo]

If you’re not working, why not? It’s better than sitting on the couch eating chips all day. Unless you have a more high valued activity you could be doing (like an engineering degree or moving to an industry that’s actually viable)?

 

[1BigStudMuffin]

do it bro, what sounds better, an unemployed charterholder or a jabroni who passed level 2?

 

[stunnerrunner]

As a L3 candidate looking for a new job - it seems like people are requiring it as a “must have” credential, even for more lowly/entry level jobs. For a lot of jobs I’ve been seeing, they want someone who has a CFA, 2-3 yrs of experience and then the salary is $50K - super frustrating, but maybe that’s just my area
For me, I’m doing this as more of a personal goal. I want to pass L3 for the accomplishment of it, and it can’t hurt my chances, right?

 

[summerside182]

how did u lose your job? did you do something very bad that will follow you all your life?
if the answer is no well just do it

 

[NANA Hachiko]

I would say go for it!
Not just CFA, but any other programs as long as you can afford it!
Not working is probably the best time to study, to open new doors and possibilities, to discover new talents and interests in yourself.

And don’t forget to look for jobs, any jobs, part time jobs, volunteer jobs… keep yourself active and in the know. Connections happen only when you leave your house!
BEST OF LUCK!
^_^
NANA

 

[vik2000]

I know how it feels. I was very motivated when I was writing my L1 and L2. Passed both the first time while still in my undergrad (yes, I somehow got approved to take L2 before graduation). I graduated at a pretty rough time and had difficulty finding the finance job I wanted. The doubt of whether passing CFA L3 would help me at all in finding my job started to creep in. Needless to say, I failed my L3 exam. I just simply wasn’t motivated. Interestingly, I found my job right after I finished writing my L3 exam. For the next two years, I couldn’t really take the time out to study as there were a lot of new things to learn even outside my work and CFA L3 wasn’t exactly relevant.
Now I’m preparing my L3 while at least working 12+ hours a day. I’m also married and wife is expecting.
I wish I had studied hard and passed my CFA L3 back then.