Next Steps in My Career (First Job after Graduation)

Hi, everyone.

I have been working in commercial credit analyst since January (~6 months into the role). I am interested in attending grad school next year (Fall 2020) but am curious to hear what the best route would be to take for my background.

Background: Non-target econ grad (3.3 overall, 3.43 major). First fulltime job started in January at a MM firm. Took a semester off between graduation and college to travel through the northeast.

Reason I mention that latter part plays into my long-term goals. I really want a finance job that at least allows traveling. That being said, I'm not sure what the best path would be to take. Should I get a master's in finance, master's in accounting/CPA route, CFA, etc.? An MBA would be too soon for me since I would have been working for 1.5 years by the time Fall 2020 semester starts. I enjoy credit analysis, but I want my next role to involve more traveling, and obviously, more money.

Right now, I am thinking about getting a master's in accounting and then taking the CPA exam. I'm not that into accounting, but it's the only clear vision I have about what can be done with my background, my goals, and my expedience.

I know it sounds shallow to boil it down to this, but my priorities are salary and traveling (if possible to combine the two).

Would love to hear any thoughts or questions any of you may have.

Thanks.

 

Hey Opalais, sorry about the delay, but are any of these useful:

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  • 11 Steps to Becoming a Finance Jedi babies, or the merely "charismatic". These notes are intended for 1st round draft picks. 0. You ... the CFA, try to pass on 1st try of each exam. Use up every single vacation day if necessary. Do not ... top-tier undergrad and mba programs, top 3 in both, arguably #1 in both. I started my career on sell side ...
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