MS in Stochastic Systems + CFA?

[jcrewdo]

Hi all. I've been studying for the L1 exam in December. I want to know your opinions on my career path. I graduated last year with both a BS (pure & applied math) and an MS (stochastic systems analysis & optimization). I have taken a few financial engineering courses for my masters. I currently work in investment management for an insurance company as a senior actuarial associate. I realized I have no passion to be an actuary. I'm geared more towards finance (specifically financial engineering/quantitative finance). I plan to combine my math degrees with the CFA. What type of opportunities do you think the CFA would give me? Is it worth it? Which part of finance would I fit best in? I enjoy finance in general, but I want a field that I can incorporate some math. Any better career paths? Thanks in advance!

 

[guest]

do you like computer programming ? If yes, think quant

Trust God and keep your powder dry

 

[WillyR]

These are difficult questions to answer because it is really YOU that determines your own opportunities, not the degrees you have or don't have. You career is really only governed by your motivation as a person. I have a portfolio analytics team that reports into me so while I'm not necessarily the best quant guy around, I have more than enough information at my finger tips.

Willy

 

[FourCastles]

You may fit well into quantiative risk management. I am not so sure about quant roles, a MSc is usually not enough, especially because you have a fairly narrow MSc, phd is more common. But don't take this as a discouragement, you can become whatever you wish to become (within reasonable limits).

CFA is probably worth it, it gives you some business perspective although you may have it from your university courses, but it has pretty much become a standard today, so not having it puts you at a disadvantage.

Keep in mind that it is the work results that set you apart from the crowd. All this studying is just to get the foot in the door.

Check out wilmott.org.