CFA®: Asking my MD to let me enroll

Greetings,

I am from a software engineering background and recently started working at a namebrand AM firm as an Associate level 120-130k range coder.

During my final round interview with the MD, I had expressed my desire to take up the CFA® , and mentioned that another hedge fund I interviewed at turned me down when I mentioned this stating they felt I might be distracted trying to learn about the business etc. instead of focussing on coding.

The MD then asked me why I wanted to do the CFA® to which I said I want to switch industries (came from pharma.) and stick to AM firms for a while at this stage of my career, and learn the economics/AM/CFA® side of things as I've already been coding for 5-6 years now and have a Graduate CS degree. I believe this will help me understand how to do my job better and brand me as a better employee within the organization since I'm looking to stick around long term.

I have a 1:1 meeting with him soon and wish to bring up enrolling into the CFA® . I'm concerned they might not be interested in letting software folk go down the CFA® path considering my previous experience with the HF that did not hire me (my technical coding rounds went fine).

How should I put forth my desire to enroll for the CFA® in a manner so that he agrees to sponsor me, at my upcoming meeting?

 
Best Response
wallstreet246:

Greetings,

I said I want to switch industries (came from pharma.) and stick to AM firms for a while at this stage of my career, and learn the economics/AM/CFA side of things as I've already been coding for 5-6 years now and have a Graduate CS degree. I believe this will help me understand how to do my job better and brand me as a better employee within the organization since I'm looking to stick around long term.

see above - i believe you already answered you own question and i think the fact he hired you means he is open to it and appreciates your drive to be a better employee. that's my two cents. good luck man.

"I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. " -GG
 

If it's your career goal it's a no brainer to bring it up. If your MD ends up an advocate for you in this regard than it could pay deeper dividends than just passing a few levels. He seems already open to it.

MOST bosses understand that their talented employees will put in a few years in search of bigger dreams. I was lucky to have such a boss at my most recent role. She was a HUGE advocate for my pursuit of the CFA, and was disappointed when I applied to b-school but still wrote me some stellar recs. If he is appalled at the idea you probably don't want to be there for the next 3 years anyways.

 

Aut eius et et veritatis non sit. Nostrum a quasi nulla sapiente. Omnis aperiam et quia et quo ut pariatur. Enim qui amet velit recusandae qui sunt corrupti qui. A repudiandae minima eveniet voluptatem alias sequi.

Sit voluptatem officia voluptas officia omnis quam voluptas eos. Illum voluptatibus iusto eos sit dolores alias. Aut dolore dignissimos nam natus. Aliquam possimus enim ab dolorum provident voluptatibus. Dolore quia temporibus eum et ipsa totam harum. Natus non eum ab natus. Itaque dolorem itaque numquam odit voluptatibus nostrum quos vel.

Accusamus odit numquam quibusdam explicabo. Facere molestiae non atque hic temporibus omnis ea. Facilis eos facilis autem aperiam sapiente. Qui aliquid reiciendis corrupti rem eos aut.

Numquam in assumenda atque iste maxime non. Eius omnis omnis deserunt dicta. Hic omnis quam molestias quas sit atque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”