advice for down the road
Hey guys, I need some advice...I'm currently a junior at the Air Force Academy (majoring in management) and have recently realized that trading or something remotely similar in finance is something I want to do after my 5 year commitment. I trade my own account, read books/blogs...all that good stuff. I'll be going into the acquisitions/contracting/financial management side of the AF. That being said, what should I do now and in my 5 years in the AF to get ready? Should I get my CFA? Get my masters in finance (even if it's from a crappy school)? Teach myself how to program?
After the AF, would getting an MBA be my best option for transitioning into finance? Will I even have a chance?
Any advice would be appreciated...thanks.
Do the CFA whilst working. See if the AF will pay for it. Keep trading your own account. Keep records of your performance.
Don't go to some bullshit school to get a master's in finance. I know the AF will probably pay for it, but it offers literally no value to anyone in high finance. It would actually detract from your otherwise strong resume (assuming you have a good GPA).
Apply to business school in the last year of your commitment. Apply to good b-schools (places where banks recruit), and go to the best one you can. You shouldn't have much debt entering b-school given your background, and you shouldn't be afraid of taking on some debt to improve your CV and transition from a $40k per year job to a $200k+ job (which you'll easily make all-in as a first year associate in S&T at a major bank in a major city).
Look into scholarships specifically for former soldiers to attend b-school.
And don't worry too much about it between now and b-school. You've got a few years. Bang some chicks, drink some alcohol to make up for some of the fun you missed whilst at the Academy, serve your time, and move on.
Thanks for your service.
Get a very high GPA
ok thanks guys...GPA could be a problem. I f'ed up my GPA the first 2 years here thinking I would be a pilot...but obviously I'm not going to be...I got medically d'qed. My GPA should end up at around a 3.2-3.3, with a higher major's GPA (~3.7 ish). Assuming I kick butt on the GMAT, how much of a factor would a lower 3.2-3.3 GPA be in top Bschool admissions?
Thanks for all the help.
It'll hurt for sure... but service academy networks are the strongest in the world
(for when its time to start networking to get into S&T)
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