Beating a Dead Horse with a New Stick

So I'm going to rehash everyone's favorite topic - the CFA. But this one's a little different: I already work for a hedge fund in a front office position.

I recently started with a $3b fund straight out of school (non-target). We're mainly an event-driven shop, but we recently also began providing SME financing as a private lender, which is what I was hired to do. My current goal is to do well in this role, but I'm also looking to the future. I'd like to hone my credit analysis skills and eventually end up on our event-driven desk.

I'm looking at studying for the CFA as a way to improve my own knowledge to aid in the eventual transition 3-4 years down the road. This obviously assumes successful performance in my current capacity. I don't need to impress in an interview or anything like that as I already know everyone in the fund, but I would like to develop a greater skillset to increase my value and understanding. Most of the current team came in from BB banks, so I'm hoping for an alternative method of training. I've thought about asking some of those analysts what they think, but I don't want to appear like I'm dissatisfied in my current position.

What do you think? Would the CFA help a private lending analyst develop the requisite skillset to make an internal transition? As an aside, what are your thoughts on the CAIA for the same purpose?

Again, this is purely to help me learn; it doesn't matter if the team couldn't care less (I doubt they'll give a shit).

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