Factset Consultant + CFA

I have been offered a final round Assessment Centre as a Factset consultant in London. From what I've read the exit opps dont seem too good, however, factset will sponsor me for the CFA. Given that I get to CFA Level 2 by next year (coming out of an MSc in finance) do you think I will be able to transfer to a position in equity research/risk given that I will hold a good standard in the CFA plus valuable experience with factset software + basic modelling?

Thanks

10 Comments
 

Yeah, the Factset experience will not impress anyone in ER or risk. They basically just craft formulas for bankers who are too rushed to figure out the confusing syntax themselves. The position isn't even finance, it's essentially tech support.

I would try to leverage your way into a more relevant position.

 
Best Response
rufiolove
vinstaBy leverage you mean, call other companies up and tell them I have an offer from factset. Then ask what they can do for me?

No, I don't think that will help. Basically I mean utilize any contacts within your network to find a better position that uses finance.

The last thing I want from my FactSet consultant is to be my friend, even if it's 2am and I'm speaking to a female with an attractive voice from the Shanghai office. Most of the time I call in and pretend to not know how to use the software so you can do it for me.

Constructively, CFA is great. Learn to pitch a few stocks, write a report, build an in-depth model. This way you can at least prove that you have the skills despite no experience. Exhaust your network and resources, if all else fails go to b-school. B-school seems to be the go-to reset button (generic answer) for those who are looking for a career switch. Btw if you're a consultant who travels/visits accounts, networking will be easier. Not sure if that's a different title though.

 

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