Late Bloomer Decisions- Graduating Undergrad at 27
I will finally graduate undergrad in May 2013! It's been a fun journey, and I feel I've done a lot of growing up. I effed around after high school then realized I actually wanted to provide a decent lifestyle for myself and future family, and the hard work needed to get there is more than totally worth it. I will be 27 when I get my BBA in Finance from Texas Tech University.
So here's a question that's on my mind a lot:
How to weigh the importance of getting out there in the job world and getting some real experience versus continuing "formal" education?
Formal education being an MBA, CFA®
, CAIA, PhD, etc....
I am definitely going to get a job and get some real world experience first...but the goals I have for myself I feel will require some extra "formal" abbreviations after my name. Currently I am thinking I will go for a CFA®
before an MBA, per what a prof suggested to me.
I appreciate yall's thoughts and suggestions.
WreckEmFinance
The goals you allude to should drive your next steps...and money should not be at the top of that list. If you want to do Asset Management, CFA is a great path to head down but obviously takes a couple of years and still doesn't guarantee you your dream job (or any job).
Even as an elder statesman (from an undergrad perspective) an MBA won't add much value without some more formal work experience (nor will any decent program give you much of a look without more WE). Plenty of people in my MBA program were 30, 31, etc so there is no need to rush, even at 27.
I wouldn't bother with a Phd (which would come after a masters) unless you want to teach.
Reach out to some alums who are doing what you think you want to do and see if you can buy them coffee or something. All they can say is no.
thank you. excellent advice. I've heard things along the lines of what you are saying before, and it is good to hear them again. also thanks for reminding me about the alumni network. that is a great idea. i've seen that a few alums of Texas Tech are very high up at some of the energy firms
How much money do you have? If you can afford to do an MBA from a top school, then by all means. Otherwise, if you are looking for a quick boost for cheap, the CFA is not a bad bet. Mind you, I stress top-tier MBA because I do believe that the CFA brand trumps low to mid tier MBAs.
The CFA is known primarily as a designation for investment analysts or AM jobs, but I've received strong offers for a variety of roles from credit, insurance underwriting, risk management, strategic planning, and even gotten into investment banking at an Associate's level with it. That said, I would have jumped at the opportunity to do a top tier MBA, but I was cash poor (opportunity rich). The CFA just made sense for me.
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