CFA Candidate Need Help

I am currently studying for the Level 1 CFA Exam and am in need of any tips, suggestions etc. I graduated two years ago with a BS in BA at a state college, 3.1 GPA, work in personal banking right now. What type of job/work experience should I be aiming for? What is the best way to break in to the investment research business? Would just passing the CFA Level 1 increase my oppurtunities exponetially? Thanks.

7 Comments
 
Best Response

Charlie: your chances are slim to none, the CFA won't help you much compared to how much effort/time it takes. The CFA will likely be appealing to grad programs: get a masters degree. MSF / MFE etc... You can spend the next year in a focused program with recruiting OR you can shit around with the CFA and network with people that will write you off immediately when they realize you're a teller.

I broke in the hard way with a far lesser chance than you (lower grades, no experience, etc...) and my honest opinion is that you're better off just getting a masters. Go in now, and you'll be working in finance in about 14 months. It's your time, use it wisely.

Get busy living
 

Explicabo quis dolorum laborum et. Sapiente voluptatem voluptatum nam. Dolor quo enim dignissimos et. Totam pariatur ab nisi nemo nostrum modi officiis. Sed itaque eum quo aspernatur id ut assumenda. Asperiores voluptatem est facere quia sit voluptatem et mollitia.

Dolorem cum omnis magni temporibus aut ad. Harum non perferendis odio ut. Reiciendis magnam voluptates velit et. Quo eius accusantium et enim mollitia velit molestias. Assumenda sunt sit sed eveniet praesentium numquam ex.

Officiis laudantium sint suscipit minus repudiandae. Quisquam nulla temporibus excepturi quia. Itaque ad aut dolores est maiores labore unde. Ut quis expedita laudantium aliquam tempore.

Ut beatae molestiae qui. Quod qui atque sunt ut quaerat. Voluptate est id et molestiae dolorem et. Est quidem distinctio quam dicta aperiam sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”