[freeier]

Originally Posted by vcorn

Okay, so the bottomline is that CFA is a must whether it will be looked at or not in the resume as you still take it eventhough you already had financial eng. degree.

As I am already in financial industry but in support line, I've learnt some financial products myself on-the-job way, what is your opinion of my next steps if I want to switch to Front Office via entry position like say sales/trading assistant in the desk?
As of now I can only think of CFA to support it.

Regarding comment by climber07, It seems really tough and has to join via Middle Office, I thought it will be better to join via entry level as Front desk assistant, why is it not the case?

nope. my bosses always laughed at me asking me why i am doing the cfa and its a big waste of time.

i only go through it because since i am halfway there and i have a tendency to just sit with the flow.

all the CFAs that i know are also astonished that i am actually working on a CFA considering what i am working on now and my job/posn in the bank.


so if u dun have it u think its good, once u step into it u find it useless.


go get a financial engineering master and it would help much even in the next 5-10 years

[Mat]

Out of curiosity why are you interested by a Sale/trading job and what are you currently doing as "support"?

[shreshti]

thats really funny dipper :P
but its not cats.. it is Chartered Financial Analyst

[vcorn]

Originally Posted by freeier

i only go through it because since i am halfway there and i have a tendency to just sit with the flow.

all the CFAs that i know are also astonished that i am actually working on a CFA considering what i am working on now and my job/posn in the bank.

-> so mind to tell what is your job/area which require cfa, just curious, are you in trading desk?
So indeed it's useful for you then?

Originally Posted by Mat

Out of curiosity why are you interested by a Sale/trading job and what are you currently doing as "support"?

-> it's just my appetite of trying out something different and interesting in early stage of my career, think I can do good job in front. currently in trading support (application)

[freeier]

Originally Posted by vcorn

-> so mind to tell what is your job/area which require cfa, just curious, are you in trading desk?
So indeed it's useful for you then?


-> it's just my appetite of trying out something different and interesting in early stage of my career, think I can do good job in front. currently in trading support (application)

i traded in equity options, did structuring in equity/fund exotics and now doing marketing.

no it doesn't really help me. i used to think it does but after finishing lvl 2 i realized its pretty useless... but since i'm 2/3 thru i might as well just go thru the pain again and finish it up.

[whong]

vcorn: cfa is definitely a big plus on your resume! but again, it doesnt guarantee anything for your next move/goal.

pick up the book "Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis. a very interesting book about wall street. just remember qualification is a just another small piece that boost your chance. the survival/jungle guide is more important.

good luck on your next move!

[Mat]

find a mentor that will help you move up the ladder....nothing works better (until the mentor finally gets fired and you have to follow...but at least during this time you had a chance to devleop)

CFA is a good thing to have but will never be as important as the level or relationship you will manage to have within your organization (specially in HK)

[vcorn]

guys, thanks for the great advise.

It's really helpful.