NYU MBA For Career Switch to Equity Research from Non-Finance Background?
I was admitted to NYU Stern's full-time MBA program for the fall. Am excited about the prospect of business school, but also nervous about making the leap and whether the ROI as a career switcher will work out.
I'm a career switcher looking to move into investment research from a non-finance background. I have assorted experience: 2 years economic research at a policy think tank, 1 year due diligence on financial fraud/securities regulation cases at a boutique consulting firm, and now in-house corporate compliance at a Fortune 200 aerospace & defense firm where I've ended up working closely with corporate finance on pre-acquisition due diligence for the 3 companies we've acquired in the last 2 years.
So as the last sentence suggests, I work for a thriving company, have zero debt, and have a comfortable life that many would envy. I just know that professionally this is not where I want to be or my area of interest. Is it better to pursue breaking into equity research on my own, doing the CFA and trying to network etc. (I live in New York City)? Or is attending Stern the wiser choice?
Hi attagirl -- this is a repost of my answer (I hope it doesn't dis the ER guys too much) from the other thread. I think there are a number of folks watching this question out there, and worth keeping it alive
First, congratulations! NYU Stern full-time is a pretty awesome place. Is Conor Grennan still dean of students? I read his book, "Little Princes." http://www.alumni.nyu.edu/s/1068/2col_scripts.aspx... He is the most amazing guy and if you are trying to figure out a way to help out in Nepal (I know, kind of OT, but if you read his bio you will see why I say this) check out his Twitter feed https://twitter.com/conorgrennan
I bring all this up because it has nothing to do with equity research. That's because your decisions are about more than equity research, they are about your future -- professionally and personally. If you decide to take off and go to business school, there's a 100% chance that you will have a new perspective than you would if you stayed on the job. Business school is transformational. They design it that way, so you are in class with guys like Conor Grennan, or with people like other Sternies, who go into all kinds of things after graduation. I have a family friend who did the MBA program jointly with an MFA at Tisch in film, and she was constantly running off to Cannes and meeting great film types while she was there. Now she is in the business end of Disney's movie division -- not bad for a woman who didn't have a lot of in-office business experience before. Of course if you do decide you want to go into ER after Stern, you will probably be able to find a way, with or without the CFA. But I am betting that equity research is not your only path if you do the Stern thing. It opens doors to other ideas, including some really cool stuff (see NYU MBAs win on Shark Tank http://www.metromba.com/stern-students-keen-home-c...)
One more thing -- and this is going to sound oh-so-WSO -- It looks like you are in compliance now? That always struck me as a place that folks wanted to leave. I also think that you are beholden to the lawyers in that kind of job. Ugh.
I say, move up and move out. That's the better way to reach your bigger goals.
Yes. I know some people in WSWF who have successfully transitioned into various finance roles via NYU from non-finance backgrounds.
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