Liberal Arts Major Looking to Break Into Finance
I graduated in 2008 from Occidental College with a liberal arts B.A. and a low gpa. I worked for Merrill Lynch for a year and I have my Series 7 and Series 66. I'm a relatively late bloomer as I'm just now realizing I want to work in finance. I've always had an affinity for all things quantitative however I do not have a compelling background. I understand it is an extremely competitive field and I can handle any and all harsh judgements for my current candidacy.
I'm not a high candidate for top MBA/MS Finance programs. Ideally, I want to start working as an analyst as soon as possible (understanding it may take me up to six months to even become an elegible hire). I'm taking the Breaking Into Wallstreet modules sponsored by WallStreet Oasis and I was wondering if I should study for and take the CFA level 1 exam in June, 2011? Are these two things enough to make me a competitive entry-level candidate? If not, any suggestions? Thank you in advance!
Where do you want to work in finance? Trading? Traditional investment banking (M&A and IPOs)? Research?
There's a number of paths you can take. Here's a quick set of ideas:
1.) Don't go for a CFA. Go for a CPA instead. Call up your old friends at Merrill Lynch/BofA, see if you can get into ops, and try to work your way into trading or research. It will be a difficult, uphill climb, but you might have a shot.
2.) Go for the CFA, but have some sort of plan that will allow you to neatly transition into a role where you're currently working that requires that background.
3.) Figure out a way to go into finance on your own. Get the CFA, but screw the bankers, traders, and their king-of-the-mountain game. 2%+ 20% for a hedge fund? Are you kidding me? If you're a good enough trader, you can do this without their help if you have the money saved up and offer a better service for a lower price. Maybe one day, everyone will want to work for you and you will get to only take applications with Occidental (or maybe Illinois) on the resume. :D
Unfortunately, the two things you've listed are probably not enough to make you a competitive entry-level candidate in the front-office roles, especially with this economy. If times were a little different or if everybody and their uncle didn't want to go into finance, that might be a different story, but the job market sucks right now and you will need to sneak in through the back door rather than the front to eventually be in an interesting spot within finance. That would be the least risky way.
New York Bulge Banking/Hedge Funds/PE Shops are like Detroit in the '70s. We turn out a junky, overpriced product. I'd really like to see you find a way to innovate and put us snobby bankers out of business. Live in the outer boroughs and eat Ramen for a few years, get some money saved up, and set up your own shop that does things cheaper, differently, and better.
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