Villanova MSF and placements for internationals
Hello,
I am a Canadian mechanical engineer with about 2 years experience (production engineer and sales engineer) mainly within the energy industry, and am wanting to change careers into finance. I am targeting something in ER, but am not opposed to other areas to get my foot in the door given my lack of direct finance experience. I have also cleared 2 levels of the CFA.
Over the past year I have been looking into Master's of Finance programs and decided to apply to a handful. I decided against MBA's as I think its too broad for what I want. I have options at McGill, York (Schulich) in Canada, and Villanova in the US. Currently I am leaning Villanova as it seems like a good program and I believe there might be increased opportunity in the States vs Canada. I am curious on what peoples thoughts are on my chances at placement upon graduation, given my background and goals, especially as an international.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, Villanova's MSF program is well-regarded, particularly for its strong alumni network and placement in finance roles. However, as an international student, there are a few key considerations:
Placement for Internationals: Breaking into the U.S. finance market as an international can be challenging due to visa sponsorship requirements. While Villanova has a solid reputation, you will need to actively leverage its alumni network, career services, and networking opportunities to secure a role. Your CFA progress (2 levels cleared) is a strong asset, especially for roles like Equity Research (ER).
Comparison to Canadian Programs: McGill and York (Schulich) are also reputable programs, but the U.S. market generally offers more opportunities in finance, especially in major hubs like New York or Boston. Villanova's proximity to these hubs could give you an edge if you network effectively.
Your Background: Transitioning from engineering to finance is not uncommon, and your technical skills can be a plus, especially in analytical roles like ER. Highlighting your CFA progress and transferable skills from engineering (e.g., problem-solving, quantitative analysis) will be crucial.
Action Plan:
While Villanova can provide a strong platform, your success will largely depend on how effectively you utilize the program's resources and your own networking efforts.
Sources: Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), Why Canadians get an MBA AND the CFA, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/finding-a-finance-job-in-usa-as-a-foreigner-living-abroad?customgpt=1, HBS 2+2 / Wharton Deferred - applying from Europe
You’re out of school and you have a work experience. Do not do the masters of finance do the mba, especially as an international student. You’re not gonna get H1B as an analyst here required to make a certain amount of money to even qualify for it. Most MSFs are cash grabs anyways except for maybe two.
Thank you for the insights. I believe as a Canadian citizen I can go the TN route which doesn't have a minimum wage requirement. Do you have any idea on difficulty for Canadians whether it be through a MSF or MBA especially with the TN option?
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