Structural engineer looking to become a Chartered Financial Analyst?

Question

Hi, im a structural engineer looking to become a CFA and i wanted to know, would companies look down on me if i started from a construction industry, versus if i had done my degree in finance or accountring and then gone unto becoming a CFA?

Answer 1

No.

Investment firms may not look down upon you because you don't have a background in finance and accounting.  Not only is it common to find people in the industry from outside accounting/finance, in some cases firms prefer to have people who bring an outside view into the ivory tower of finance.

What matters is your intelligence, experience, wisdom, drive and ability to think.  However, just as chef will need to know how to cook, an investment profession will need to know accounting and finance.  Don't worry.  If you can pass the CFA exams - you should know it.

Having said that, the CFA exams will probably be the hardest tests you have taken in your life.  Prepare to sacrifice a lot to read, study, study and then study some more.  There is no "winging" the test.  You must study or I can pretty much guarantee you will fail.

Then, getting a job after the CFA is not a certainty.  The investment field is exceptionally competitive.  But don't let that discourage you.  I didn't and I'm now a CFA charter holder and I've been in investments for nearly my whole career.