CRE broker who just passed the CFA® exams. Now that my CFA journey is over, I'm a little lost.
I apologize if you have already read my post before from another website but I casting a wider net to see if I can get some additional ideas.
Hi, I feel a little weird asking for life tips on Reddit but here goes... Quick background: I graduated with a BBA in Finance (it's a US top 30 business school so nothing spectacular) with hopes of doing something in corporate finance. I started studying for the CFA® exams around that time with the hopes that it will help me achieve that goal.
All this time, I worked as a commercial real estate broker. I really enjoy my job and the challenges it presents. Unfortunately, The CFA® designation isn't really recognized in my current field. Now that I have passed all the CFA® exams, I am little lost about what career to pursue next? Should I go back to school? I already did a BBA and don't feel that a MBA would not be very enriching. I feel that I would only benefit from the networking, but that is a really expensive benefit to pay tuition for. If I do grad school, I would try something more specialized but not sure what...
I want to pursue a job that will utilize my work experience and the charter, but I really don't know what that is. I feel that the obvious route is a job with a REIT or a alternative asset management firm. However, I don't know if my job function will be appreciated. Although my current job requires financial analysis, I spend just as much time "deal-making" (sourcing and negotiating investment opportunities). It wouldn't be exciting to start in a junior position and do 100% financial analysis again, whether or not it is with a larger firm. Although my deals are small relative to REITs and PE transactions, I have been involved with underwriting and negotiating $25M+ projects.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you.
TL:DR Commercial real estate background but as a broker | Just passed CFA® exams | Don't really want to start in a junior position again | What career path can use my work experience? | Go back to school?
Not wanting to hijack your thread but I plan to take L1 in Dec. Any way you can help me get the Schweser Notes?
Pay for it yourself?
SB for the name. But if you aren't sure what to do, the MBA might actually be worth the tuition. If you live in a place that has a M7 or even top 15 MBA (coupled with your CFA) you could make some real leaps and bounds. It will give you not only networking but some career exposure to some incredible possibilities. I haven't made the switch myself but its something that lingers in the back of my mind as I steadily study. Best of luck to you, i know i'm posting late so maybe you have already succeeded!