2024 CFA Level I Exam: CFA Discussion Topic: Getting back to finance

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Topic: Getting back to finance

Author	Topic: Getting back to finance
jhughes @2017-02-09 02:10:47	Hello, Hope I am coming to the right place for this question, which bothered me for months. I am 33, had been in finance industry for 3 +years, but engaged in retail and corporate investment advisor. I had been considering starting CFA for career development. However, my career has now 5 yrs of break for family reasons, I again want to start and willing to join equity research in USA as i live here now, but my old experience is in Asia, Would it be too late? Is it possible for career change even at this age and with that long break? BTW, english is not my native language, but there shall not be a big issue for languages since i had already done bachelor in commerce and MBA in Finance from one of the Asian Universities. Many thanks,
Sajeevmano @2017-03-01 10:02:21	I wouldn't do it. I'm 33 and a family man myself. And a native English speaker. I think that you will find that most companies want a young person, because it's easier to work them 12-15 hours a day, and they can travel on a moment's notice. No thinking about wives/kids involved. Or they want somebody who is experienced. Right now, you don't fit either bill. Don't underestimate how much the exam will take away from your family. You'll spend ~1000 hours prepping for a test that will probably have zero benefit to you. Better that you spend that working on your existing career or vacationing with your family.

Author

Topic: Getting back to finance

jhughes
@2017-02-09 02:10:47

Hello,

Hope I am coming to the right place for this question, which bothered me for months.

I am 33, had been in finance industry for 3 +years, but engaged in retail and corporate investment advisor. I had been considering starting CFA for career development.

However, my career has now 5 yrs of break for family reasons, I again want to start and willing to join equity research in USA as i live here now, but my old experience is in Asia, Would it be too late? Is it possible for career change even at this age and with that long break?

BTW, english is not my native language, but there shall not be a big issue for languages since i had already done bachelor in commerce and MBA in Finance from one of the Asian Universities.

Many thanks,

Sajeevmano
@2017-03-01 10:02:21

I wouldn't do it.

I'm 33 and a family man myself. And a native English speaker.

I think that you will find that most companies want a young person, because it's easier to work them 12-15 hours a day, and they can travel on a moment's notice. No thinking about wives/kids involved. Or they want somebody who is experienced. Right now, you don't fit either bill.

Don't underestimate how much the exam will take away from your family. You'll spend ~1000 hours prepping for a test that will probably have zero benefit to you. Better that you spend that working on your existing career or vacationing with your family.

CFA Discussion Topic: Getting back to finance

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I just wanted to share the good news that I passed CFA Level I!!! Thank you for your help - I think the online question bank helped cut the clutter and made a positive difference.

CFA Discussion Topic: Getting back to finance

Edward Liu