Career jump - most efficient path to prospertiy

Hi Everyone,

Think unconventional. I grew up in suburbia and had to deal with a lot of personal issues (financial struggle, single parent etc). Took 2 years off after high school, working odd jobs. Saved up enough to go to community college and then transferred to a 4 yr local institution for a bachelors in Economics (graduated at 25). Did some awesome research for a couple of years for a professor at a top 10 university and got a degree in econ from the same university (graduated at 29). School is ranked better than some Ivy League universities.

Landed a job in So-Cal with a mid-tier strategy consulting firm working as an analyst (most people my age are managers or higher already). I'm not content with the pace of my career growth (the firm is slow to promote). Current ETA to manager in 6 years (age 36) and director would be another 7 (43!). Seems a bit slow for me - so I'm considering options to speed it up by one of the following options:

1) Get a CFA
2) Apply for an online or part time MBA (don't have the means to take on a loan for a full-time program)
3) Try to move to a better paying firm

Any other suggestions?

A couple of my personal limitations:
1 - Cant move (family, kids etc)
2 - Work limit is 12 - 14 hrs / day

Anyone on the same boat? Suggestions?

 

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