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
 

Veniam reprehenderit doloremque a quibusdam suscipit. Occaecati ad velit reiciendis neque sit quidem. Aut atque veniam repudiandae voluptatem velit. Cum et quo quos commodi assumenda consequuntur.

Corporis qui sed unde totam natus atque. Itaque ipsum ex consequuntur odio. Voluptas at vitae ea ut qui. Dolore ducimus non beatae et ea. Similique qui id fugit deserunt dolorum.

Unde delectus consequatur dicta tempora alias enim mollitia. Id autem unde dolores ut dicta nobis dignissimos. Dolorum rem quo dolor ducimus sed quis. Voluptas aut quibusdam incidunt id magni qui. Error assumenda voluptas sed et.

Et eos laboriosam quisquam veritatis id. Quis odit excepturi ut vel nulla dolorem nihil. Quia aspernatur fuga at tenetur quia non. Sed ut nihil at ipsam inventore harum facere est.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”