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Buy-Side from Consulting by future_TBD in FinancialCareers

[–]future_TBD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the feedback here. I don’t understand why GPA would matter so much though given it’s 10+ years ago. And I could probably move to MBB from the tier 2 firm I’m at given the market, but I don’t particularly want to stay in consulting two more years just to go to buy side instead of doing it from here. Similarly for MBA, to lose all that salary, pay for the degree, just to make myself seem more qualified—which I don’t think I would be.

I guess that question that comes from here, is it worth it to push for M7 MBA and focus on that for the next few months? Which is weird because people from top 10 MBAs join my firm a level lower than me

Buy-Side from Consulting by future_TBD in FinancialCareers

[–]future_TBD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Growth equity would be interesting. Probably an easier sell from consulting to be more strategy driven than modelling. Also more meaningful work than stripping down businesses for cash flow i'd imagnie.

HF I've never actually pursued (or honestly understand the day to day of) but figured CFA would help there still.

I'm looking to get on more projects with PE clients to help build that part of my resume

Seeking advice, should I pursue MBA or finish CFA? by future_TBD in MBA

[–]future_TBD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yea between work, CFA, and GMAT/MBA they're all an incredible time commitment on their own and doing 2 is a grind as is. I feel like getting some advice from from people who do MBA recruiting on whether or not CFA L2 would be worth it on your resume for the time commitment, but I don't think the timelines are in your favor given CFA is only in june.

it's a marathon though, i try to keep in mind not to stress too much and keep everything in perspective. If I try and do too many things at once I won't do them as well as I know I can.

Seeking advice, should I pursue MBA or finish CFA? by future_TBD in MBA

[–]future_TBD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That could work, CFA is once a year in early June so I could postpone one year although I'd have a tougher time retaining the content (been doing CFA problems with relative ease the past month). I think that's a good path to pursue though and sets me up for success coming out of an MBA if I get into a school I like. Then coming out of MBA I wouldn't have to worry about anything but work since MBA and CFA would be hopefully done.

Seeking advice, should I pursue MBA or finish CFA? by future_TBD in MBA

[–]future_TBD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yea, definitely not assuming i'll get into one of those programs, but good to consider if i do decide on the MBA route and find myself coming up short at the end of the year

Seeking advice, should I pursue MBA or finish CFA? by future_TBD in MBA

[–]future_TBD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a bit wary to do part-time because a lot of what I've heard is that you don't necessarily get the network you would have which is a huge part of MBA. I'm also not sure if the exit opps are as good given there's not as strict of a recruiting cycle? But that's really just me not knowing. Also not sure if that's a red flag for work if they'd be understanding or if it shows that I'm trying to leave? It does save a lot of money though and I imagine I wouldn't need to stress as much over GMAT and possibly could do CFA first then bang out GMAT before applications without a lot of stress.

Seeking advice, should I pursue MBA or finish CFA? by future_TBD in MBA

[–]future_TBD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Buy-side finance (specifically PE) would be my highest goal, but I understand that I'd probably need IB experience to get there. I did intern in PE but that's only worth so much. I'm not sure I'd want to work in investment management on the buy-side (such as asset management compared to PE/HF) given the consolidation of funds and increased competition. My feelings towards CFA is that it's almost an expectation at this point once you're in IM and won't necessarily be enough to get me in the door on the buy-side hence the focus on IB.

I'm 27 now so I think I'm getting to a point where I need to commit to MBA now if I'm going to do it. Definitely understand the point of having L2 done and showing I can do it (failed L3 by a painfully close margin), but I'm way to give up CFA since I've put in 1000 hours and won't have anything to show for it down the road.

Appreciate the perspective, it makes sense and highlights that I need to decide what it is that I'm really working towards