Is it worth it pursuing a CFA charta?

Hi everyone, I'm currently enrolled in my fourth semester at the University of St. Gallen in the Business Administration bachelor. I am trying to break into finance, but have so far been unsuccessful in securing a relevant internship. My Grades are good, but I lack prior experience and/or the right network for these types of internships. I am thinking about starting the CFA program in hopes to enhance my CV and give me a way of standing out. Is this a viable option considering the substantial time investment that is necessary?

3 Comments
 

Start networking and emailing people if you’re serious about finance. A CFA won’t give you a network and requires ~3 years of work experience.

 
Most Helpful

Qui in dolor architecto mollitia voluptatum quaerat sunt. Dolor rerum quo aut. Repellat dolor quidem molestiae qui qui commodi.

Qui neque assumenda quo. Labore qui consectetur vel error pariatur commodi sunt.

Totam aperiam repudiandae quis voluptatibus voluptatem. Facere rerum corrupti dolor cum temporibus molestiae itaque. Consectetur possimus ut error ea. Ut eos explicabo placeat itaque adipisci est ut modi. Quia provident ducimus voluptatem et quibusdam. Nulla ut qui molestias quidem earum. Et suscipit voluptatem et corporis possimus laudantium.

incentives triumph ethics

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”