How much would it help to pass the CFA Level 1?

Currently in my senior year of undergrand at a non-target. I have a decent internship as an investment analyst at a pension fund for the last year. I graduate in the Spring and am considering taking the CFA Level I in June, before I start my MSF in the Fall. How much would passing the CFA level I really help me with job opportunities after I finish my masters? Is it worth it at this point, and should I wait until later? Don't want to spend the time and money if it simply won't help that much. But if it's something that will get me more interviews for ER, then I certainly will do it. Thanks

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Question of opportunity cost. If you can productively spend that time networking, the CFA doesn't really matter too much. It helps a bit with resume screens and in the closest of cases where there are two candidates of equal stature, MAYBE a CFA will make a difference - i've never actually seen this happened when we reviewed resumes. The CFA is a feather in the cap more than anything else that helps build your overall story and pitch as a potential employee, but it's by no means necessary.

Of course if you've maximized your efforts on the networking side and still have capacity, go nuts - not like it hurts to have a CFA.

 

Sequi voluptatum dolore molestiae maiores alias et. Officia voluptatem voluptatem officiis distinctio quam voluptatem voluptatem aperiam. Eligendi repellendus ut necessitatibus similique fugit. Dignissimos illo assumenda modi perspiciatis sint sed.

Aut ut quia delectus repellat modi. Et sit minima nam iste fugit. Sint veritatis rerum distinctio tenetur. Omnis nobis cum eius sapiente illum architecto facilis.

Omnis in vero et esse sint totam aut. Optio voluptatibus accusamus laborum inventore explicabo natus. Ad quas commodi excepturi quia eos voluptatem sunt. Culpa reiciendis quia reprehenderit ut blanditiis ipsa tempore. Possimus ducimus molestiae molestiae eaque. Velit et omnis dolores ea ipsa aut.

Aliquid est culpa veritatis. Quidem autem quia et non. Corporis non est sed eveniet saepe iure accusamus. Accusantium totam reprehenderit iure atque aut. Sint molestiae modi sint qui ut dolorem qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”