Hello all,
I am currently studying a Master's of Science course in Finance with a concentration in Investments & Securities. I should graduate by January of 2020. I've been doing a lot of preliminary job searching to get a feel for what kinds of jobs and salaries are available out there once I leave the Coast Guard. I'm looking for an entry level position in this field, but - paradoxically - I haven't found very many that seem truly entry level, as they typically require 1-3 years experience.
Ideally, I would like to earn a CFA designation. This of course requires relevant work experience and a sponsor. Does anyone have any recommendations about how to break into this career path?
My active duty commitment is finished in January of 2020, and I expect to go on terminal leave sometime in November of this year.
Thank you so much for your time.
Very respectfully,
Matt
Answers
Matt,
I would pursue the CFA regardless of work experience. The three years of experience can be obtained long after you've completed all three levels of the exams - don't let that stop you. You are also able to state on your resume that you've passed X levels of the exam, which will lend credibility to your understanding of advanced financial and investment concepts and potentially help put you in a position to get an entry level position.
I will warn you, however, that the exams are quite the undertaking, so make sure this is really what you want to do before throwing yourself into the curriculum. Best of luck!
Sincerely,
Phil
Jane,
An internship like that would interest me greatly.
Regards,
Matt
Hi Matt: Thank you for your service. I am the owner of a FinTech firm in Boston. We work with Wall Street firms on their trading and compliance systems, and we offer internships. Many of the firms in our industry also offer internships, and most of them are paid (as are ours). A 3 or 6-month internship is a great way to sort out where you might like to focus, and no experience is necessary. Please let me know if I can help you make some connections.
Your Answer
Please log in to answer this question.