Should you get licensed prior to graduating undergrad or after you have a job offer?

A lot of jobs require you to have a financial license. But these licenses come at a cost. Is it a smart idea to get a license for your dream job prior to graduating college? Or after you actually get a job offer in a contract?

There is a chance you won't get any job offers even after you get licensed and also the same can be said; if you get the job offer but failed the licensing exam.

4 Comments
 

That's not true. Please do your research before you place incorrect answers here

 

Which license? If you are 100% sure of going into finance then I don't see why it wouldn't be beneficial to try to go for your CFA while in school. Can't really comment on FINRA or anything like that. If your job prospects aren't as linear (maybe you have engineering/IT, consulting, etc in your sights behind finance) then I would focus my time on bettering your resume/selling your current skillset.

 

Dolore minus atque quis cupiditate. Minima sed vel corporis deleniti. Perspiciatis eos fugiat porro quo a. Odio nesciunt ipsum quia eum vel cumque. Officiis sed consequatur maiores tempore qui ipsam sit. Reiciendis illum necessitatibus nihil qui quod quia temporibus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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...”