Self-Taught Finance

I am currently 18 years old and know very little of finance. I also do not intend on going through the conventional route of college. I came to this website to ask for advice on whether I could get a job in finance if I were to teach myself the CFA 1-3 guides. Is there any other way to get a job in finance?

Also, are there any additional benefits that derive from learning the CFA (aside from greater job prospects)?

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Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.

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