CFA Research Challenge
I have a chance to get on this years CFA Research Challenge team at my University (they do alright, won last years regional challenge). It's normally only open to Seniors/MBA students at my school, but the finance professor in charge said he'd be very open to letting me on when I gave him a brief snapshot of my work experience so far.
Since I could only do the challenge once, from a recruiting standpoint would it be better to have it on my resume now for trying to get an internship after my soph year, or should I wait a year and have it for junior SA recruiting?
I think my performance on the team might also be better if I waited a year, since I start my accounting classes this fall in the first place, since thus far all my knowledge is from self study/experience.
double post
I was in the same position as you last year, where I wrote it in my 3rd year rather than senior year. Assuming you will be offered the opportunity next year as well, I would do it next year rather than this year. Coming into my final year, I regret having accepted the opportunity to do it last year when I wasn't nearly as prepared as I am now.
The only reason I would suggest doing it this year is if the other members will be significantly stronger than the expected members next year and the knowledge you expect to gain from your courses is minimal (which is doubtful given that the valuation is heavily weighted).
If you will be able to work with some exceptional people this year then do it this year. If they are good but nothing special consider waiting a year. If you already have good experience then you might as well do it now, and go for the best internship you can. Any potential full time employer will care more about your work experience than the research challenge. The research challenge is a good experience though, as long as you put a good effort towards it.
Thanks for the tips. I actually just got off a networking call with a MD who said he'd be very interested to see the challenge on someone's resume.
I'd definitely work hard if I did it this year, my guess is that being a sophomore on a team of seniors/MBA students they'd already be expecting me to go above and beyond.
Less about working hard and more about your understanding and experience contributing to the quality of your team's pitch.
I would wait as msnow said, but this shouldn't make or break your chances.
Actually they'd probably dump some boring/time consuming work on you first. If you work hard and do what they ask then they'll probably teach you quite a bit. I'd say go for it this year. While it would be nice to really win something next year, you'll probably have the same chances of getting further either year, so do it now and boost your chances for a great internship.
Theres actually a pretty high possibility that I actually know more than a couple of the other team members, and might get a more even work flow. I took a look at the bios of the former team members from the last two years, and there were only one or two that had actual internship experience and by that I mean PWM and boutique no-name IB. I don't think they've ever had anyone with previous ER experience. The actual requirements for being considered for being on the team (as the faculty member told me) is completion, or currently enrolled in, our Investment Fund Management class which is only open to Seniors/MBA with 3.8+.
Also, if a finance professor is encouraging you to do it, and is willing to bend the rules to let you do it, it might not be the best idea to turn him down, unless he thinks it could be an advantage to wait until next year. He could be a good reference down the line...
Just a bit of an update - met with the finance professor who's in charge of selecting the team last week. He went over that they normally only select seniors/MBA students who have completed our Investment Fund Management program (probably the only part of our BSchool that has good exit opps into AM/ER), but that was because that's the only class where you actually get research experience. We went over my resume and I brought in a sample of an industry newsletter I helped initiate over the summer, and he was very impressed. We chatted for a bit casually, and I think he just wanted to make sure I knew what I was talking about.
No decisions until mid-September, but he said I had a very good shot at getting a position.
Good luck StryfeDSP. I am too waiting for confirmation to represent my Uni. From what I am heard, it's a great opportunity to make solid connections in the ER/Banking sector.
i'm unfamiliar with the challenge, but I always say take the opportunities when they come, unless you're sure the opportunity will be available to you later. Being in a position where i've interviewed and hired research associates, i think its valuable to show you're willing to take on challenges, even if you feel you might be outgunned at the outset. If this is an experience where you'll be able to learn from others, than keep a journal of what you picked up through the process and be able to communicate how you've improved to an interviewer.
Im in
Update:
Didn't get an offer for a spot on the team. They picked 5 people, 4 were MBA students and 1 is a senior. Kinda bummed, but all the more reason to crush it over the summer and come back next year with twice as much experience.
Update:
Made it onto the team this year. 3 people were picked this year, one MBA student, a PhD student, and me as a junior.
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