Best path to become a portfolio manager from my current position?

Background: Studied accounting and finance at a well known public school (think UT, UM, UW, etc).

I'm currently have a BO job at an investment management firm, and will be taking CFA level 1 in June. I would like to be a PM one day and attend a top MBA program but not really sure what would be the best path for me. The reason I want to get into a top MBA is because I regret not attending UPenn after high school (the cost of attending UPenn was the deal breaker for me at the time).

I have a few paths that I am currently considering:

1) Stick with my current job, get my CFA, and get into a top MBA. 2) Join the military as an Officer doing a finance-related job for 4 years (I already applied for an Officer position in the military and will find out soon if I will get admitted) then leverage the military experience to get into a top MBA program while passing all 3 levels of CFA.

Of the two options I have, which will give me the best chance to get into a top MBA and become a PM?

I am also open to other suggestions! Thanks!

2 Comments
 
Best Response

I think you do a few things.

You should absolutely continue your CFA. Combining that with relevant work experience and a top MBA will help immensely. However, there's more. You should try to lateral to a research analyst position at your own firm, or you should try to do that at another firm. Hunt for IM FO jobs. As you complete different levels of the CFA, you'll have more opportunity. You'll have to network, but it's possible.

Tldr; do the CFA and you can use the MBA but try and lateral. NETWORK.

 

Ipsum possimus et consequatur et assumenda dolorem voluptatum ipsa. Deserunt soluta beatae dolorem doloribus corporis nisi et blanditiis. Repellat labore praesentium totam ipsum omnis assumenda quia tempora. Tenetur ab voluptatem non. Ducimus optio voluptas ut doloremque nihil iste. Perferendis necessitatibus provident ut ut minima.

Esse voluptatem commodi veritatis nobis magnam quia nostrum. Fugiat voluptatum magnam ipsum sed eligendi ex. Architecto autem libero nisi voluptatem autem rerum ex. Est rerum quas similique cupiditate mollitia odio.

Quaerat est recusandae et eum sunt autem voluptas. Numquam eveniet sunt recusandae possimus fugit. Dolore deserunt voluptas qui molestiae. Autem qui nihil voluptas impedit recusandae cum. Excepturi perspiciatis dolor velit earum delectus pariatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Guggenheim Partners No 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (81) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
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...”