MFin, CFA, CAIA for Project Finance/M&A job? *non-finance background

I majored in politics abroad (2nd best university) and speak 4 languages. After graduation I did an internship in an investment company (top finance investment company in the country) doing finance project (oil&gas) without any finance knowledge. I self-studied basic accounting and financial modelling. And 3 months later I had an offer to stay at the company but left due visa issues and now I'm back home unemployed (I'm European).

I'm taking some online courses in accounting, corporate finance and investment appraisal since I want to work in project finance/infrastructure fund/M&A or something related (any career advice is welcome)

Should I study a MFin? or is better that I take CFA or CAIA instead considering I can't afford a master neither ask for a loan?

I read that CFA is better in terms of recognition but I don't have the minimum working experience and I'm afraid to study up to Level 3 without getting a finance job. On the other hand, I'm not sure if CAIA will give me the knowledge needed to work in any of those jobs.

At the last last very last resort, I could ask my relatives for a loan

Any advice?


Majored: Politics GPA: 3.8/4.3 Languages: 3 European, 1 Asian language Internship: Project Finance Current status: unemployed Goal: Project Finance, Infrastructure Fund, M&A or related.

7 Comments
 

CFA is not going to be much of a help for M&A.

MBA is a better route.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
"Isaiah_53_5" CFA is not going to be much of a help for M&A.

MBA is a better route.

MBAs are so expensive, any other route?

 
"alle46"
"Isaiah_53_5" CFA is not going to be much of a help for M&A.

MBA is a better route.

MBAs are so expensive, any other route?

A crowbar.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Best Response

For M&A/corporate finance, CFA won't get you too far. Would not even consider CAIA.

How much networking have you done? If you did project finance at a top investment company in the country, then your resume should get looks.

 

My networking is related to politics. I have 2 or 3 in business/finance. At that company I wasn't allow to talk to employees in other departments an all the external deals were under my boss´name. I was a ghost there....

 

what is this, prison? seriously though, if you dont have an extensive existing network then start reaching out to alumni and other professionals by leveraging your experience. if this was in fact a top investment company, then your experience + the brand name should draw interest. from there, its up to you...

 

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