Building Credibility if you come from non-target school
Hi. I'm graduating from a top 25 b school that is non-target and not on the east coast. I have good GPA of 3.5 and good extracirrculars, but I know that my grades and school place me at a disadvantage to the Wharton 3.9 GPA crowd. I'm going into a financial industry research role and I want to be taken credibly as I move through my career.
So I was wondering if a CFA would provide any type of boost and show companies that I am a serious professional (later in my career). I know that a CFA on its own doesn't open doors (networking, job experience, and skills do) , but can it help elevate me into a more competitive position where companies at least will give my resume a 2nd look and not assume that the Ivy/Wharton crowd are inherently better?
I am asking this question because I know many here are in my position where they did not go to a super high prestige school with massive grade inflation, but are doing well enough and want to demonstrate competence and seriousness. I was hoping a CFA would do that, in addition to strong work experience. Also, I know a CFA takes several years to earn, so I am looking at it as a longterm investment for down the road, not for the immediate future.
Thanks
only a couple of kids graduate from wharton with a 3.9. there is no "massive grade inflation". I transferred from a non-target to penn. though there are more people with high gpas than at my non-target, it takes MUCH more intelligence/hard-work to get the same gpa at penn than I would have gotten at my non-target. (e.g. high achieving kids get good gpas anywhere- and there are more high-achieving kids at penn than a non-target- hence higher avg. gpa)
lucky for you business requires much more hard-work than it does raw intelligence. But it also requires confidence (which you lack by this realistic yet insecure rambling). The good news is that UWashington (I assume that's where you go) is definitely a respectable school.
Now that I'm done with my own rambling I'll finally answer your question directly- the only thing that gives you the tint of an elite education IS an elite education. You don't need that glossy tint to be successful. But it helps. And if you really desire it than the only way now is a top 10 MBA program. CFA is a pedestrian qualification.
You know what's even better than the tint of an elite education though? The tint of elite work experience. If you worked at a prestigious division at major firm than nobody worthwhile is going to care where you were educated.
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yup, like I said- elite work experience >>> elite education. It's like having a great bicycle when you're younger vs. having a great car when you're all grown up. :)
Going to a target school is great, but people who go to non targets are not morons by default. Your not going to be walking around the office with scarlet letter on your forehead. Get some school pride for godsake.
Network, have a good story and know your technicals. Since you're a seahawks fan apparently, you're probably on the WC.
If you're a top 25 business school, there has to be people from your school working at at least some of the BBs, likely in LA/SF. Check your alumni network and see if you can find any.
E-mail them, get them on the phone and blow them away on the first impression. Give 'em a tearjerker about how much you wanna do IB, how much you've prepared and all the work you've put into succeeding. Know your technicals cold and be articulate if they ask you fit questions.
This shit is common sense and is in almost every other thread on here. Do some reading and don't complain.
My situation is similar to this, although I'm a recent non-target graduate (undergrad). I networked like crazy, and asked a lot of questions about how to compete (and beat) the top students from around the country. NETWORKING is key for me, and that was facilitated by working an unpaid internship and using it as purely a networking opportunity. Had phone interviews with top people in the bank, and I took a trip to NYC just to do informational interviews from 2 straight days. No one has ever heard of my state school, but they know others in the state.
None of that matters, because I made the most out of my school experience, took on a tremendous amount of work and responsibility and made good grades, and tried to blow up my network the whole time. Yeah, no one was recruiting at my school, so I went to career fairs and firm presentations at other schools in the state, went to investment conferences, even met pros at CFA Society meetings and I don't have a CFA (but I will one day). All these things yielded me strong contacts because I had the balls to show up and be the underdog, the odd man out, yet I tried to be the sharpest-dressed and my elevator speech is strong and sincere.
I believe you can do whatever you want. Every time someone told me I couldn't do it, or that it was nearly impossible, it made me go harder. Get the CFA if you're into PM, S&T, or HFs. Or at least go to their conferences and get some contacts. DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR ANYTHING. What matters is what you've learned in the past and where you intend on going now.
PM me if you'd like to know more.
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