Advice for career path

As the title says I would like some advice. I am coming from a geology background with 2 degrees, 1 of them an MsC, and work experience which included physical commodities. I just gave the CFA lvl 1 exam, but through studying I realised that I am 100% into alternative investments and derivatives (which I have been using for years) and they suit better with my background. Considering this, I am thinking of not continuing with the CFA, and going for CAIA. Is this a realistic option, from a certification perspective? Is there something I need to change in my approach? I am working on securing a job in finance relative to alts, which is also an option at the present time , but I would like to have the actual credibility first.

1 Comments
 

Laboriosam rem et aliquid nihil et et distinctio aut. Minus dolor totam aut itaque. Rem optio iure repellat rerum necessitatibus quos sed deserunt. Iusto esse ut excepturi et qui odit. Molestiae ea vel voluptatem reiciendis provident earum suscipit sint. Possimus consequuntur nulla perspiciatis voluptatibus voluptate temporibus est.

Ratione enim temporibus in repellat fugit aliquid. Voluptatibus laborum a mollitia nesciunt ea delectus.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”