What to do from here

I'm at a bit of a crossroads in my life right now and need help making my decision.

I graduated from a state school with a degree in finance with a 3.2 GPA.

Have been working at a well known MM in their FX department for a year and a half now. I started in the back office and moved into a middle office role working directly with the trading desk now.

I have always wanted to break into IB or ER.

I networked and have had some interview at smaller places and a couple of lower tier MM places as well.

Have not gotten an offer, but the feedback I have received is I was very good, well liked, knew my stuff, but there was another candidate that had more directly related experience that would allow them to hit the ground running more quickly.

So the options I am currently considering are as follows:

1) Take the CFA® level I in June and focus only on that (studying after work and weekends)

2) While I'm somewhat familiar with modeling, I would really dive deep into teaching this to myself and work on it until I feel comfortable enough to be able to walk into an interview and say I can sit down and put together a model for you.

3) Go for a masters in finance (although I would like to go for my MBA at some point, so not sure how this option affects that, would be great to hear if anybody knows)

4) Having just turned 25, and my 2 years in the FX dept coming up, give it one more go with networking and interview preparation and see what happens come this fall and then go from there.

Really appreciate any insight and advice.

Thanks.

 

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