Career change to the Financial sector.

legalbird12

Hi All,

I have reached a cross roads in my life and realise I want a change of career. At present, I have a degree in management and marketing from DIT. I am currently working in a marketing role for a reputable company in Dublin. To be honest, I can’t see a bright future in this industry for myself.

The more I research the finance industry the more it appeals to me. Ultimately, I would like to get into investments. I enjoy reading about companies and their performance, stocks, shares, mergers and acquisitions. To date I have failed to find a course that would suit. The QFA’s seem to be the only course that I can do to pursue my career in this sector. Would I be crazy doing these exams while I am working in marketing? Would it be better for me to get a financial job while doing the exams?

I would really appreciate any advice on the above or any course suggestions.

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read my post.

woodseb

legalbird12 wrote: »

Hi All,

The more I research the finance industry the more it appeals to me. Ultimately, I would like to get into investments. I enjoy reading about companies and their performance, stocks, shares, mergers and acquisitions. To date I have failed to find a course that would suit. The QFA’s seem to be the only course that I can do to pursue my career in this sector.

from the sound of it the CFAs could suit you, but bear in mind they would be very difficult to do without working at least somewhere in the sector. prehaps do level 1 where you are and see if you like it and if you pass you would be in a better position to get a decent job

stepbar

I wouldn't rate the QFA to be honest. It's like a financial sector 101 TBH. Unless you have no clue with what goes on, it's a fairly standard qualification.

dunkamania

The CFA qualification is usually seen as the international gold standard in institutional investing. I believe you need either a financial related degree or financial work experience before you can sign up for it. www.cfainstitute.org

Alot of analysts and fund managers have it or are working towards it. Its a very difficult set of three exams with a high failure rate. Its highly regarded in the industry.

An accountancy qualification carries alot of weight too.

PM me if you want to talk in more detail

suckslikeafox

Would you consider getting a degree or maybe a diploma in finance? It would be handy for getting a job and would teach you some of the basics

pocketdooz

suckslikeafox wrote: »

Would you consider getting a degree or maybe a diploma in finance? It would be handy for getting a job and would teach you some of the basics

What is you current education status ?
Are you currently working FT ?
Would you be willing to take a year out ?

If so I would recommend either

A) The new MSC Finance being offered by Trinity college
The MBS Finance or MSC Quantitative Finance in UCD Smurfit School
C) The Masters in Treasury and Investment Banking in DCU

dunkamania

pocketdooz wrote: »

A) The new MSC Finance being offered by Trinity college
The MBS Finance or MSC Quantitative Finance in UCD Smurfit School
C) The Masters in Treasury and Investment Banking in DCU

All well regarded in Ireland, but carry alot less weight abroad, if thats an issue.

pocketdooz

dunkamania wrote: »

All well regarded in Ireland, but carry alot less weight abroad, if thats an issue.

Not necessarily true.

MBS Finance in the Smurfit School is very well regarded in New York City and London.

The MCS Finance in Trinity is only starting this year so I'm not sure how you know how well regarded it is abroad considering it has produced no graduates yet. Although Trinity College is known worldwide and has an excellent reputation.

You're proabably correct about the DCU course - it's probably not known at all





.

damnyanks

The Quant Finance course in smurfitt is the strongest course in Ireland. It covers a lot of relevant material as well as having an outstanding reputation abroad.

If you want to do it part time the CFA is your best bet. It's a very good course. The masters in smurfitt and tcd are both based on the CFA (They are CFA accredited)

pocketdooz

damnyanks wrote: »

The Quant Finance course in smurfitt is the strongest course in Ireland. It covers a lot of relevant material as well as having an outstanding reputation abroad.

If you want to do it part time the CFA is your best bet. It's a very good course. The masters in smurfitt and tcd are both based on the CFA (They are CFA accredited)

The Smurfit course material is similar to r.1 & 2 of the CFA but you DO NOT get any credits toward the CFA exams in the way that Masters of Accouting students do toward the ACC exams etc.

Quant Finance course is a full - time 2 - year course too so bear that in mind

damnyanks

Is it not 18 months with an internship in between ?

Any course that has an internship involved in it is very useful especially if you've never worked in the industry.

pocketdooz

damnyanks wrote: »

Is it not 18 months with an internship in between ?

Any course that has an internship involved in it is very useful especially if you've never worked in the industry.

As far as I know (two mates are in between years now - by the way neither of them got the internships cos they said the market was so weak) it is a two academic course year

i.e. You begin Sep of Year 1 and you will end around April / May of Year 3 - so basically yeah you're right , between 18 months - 2 years

Économiste Monétaire

The Quant Finance course is now 1 year full time. I believe they changed it this year.

http://www.smurfitschool.ie/specialistmasters/accountingandfinance/mscinquantitativefinance/

dunkamania

The Quant course is very highly respected, In Ireland anyway, but it is more geared towards trading than Investments. I think the OP was looking to get into investments, perhaps he could clarify, if he is still around...

gerry87

The trinity course covers 70% of the CFA course, so it's really aimed to prepare you for it.

dunkamania

Would that be 70% of the first level of the CFA course?

Judging from what I have heard, candidates from courses which have been run alongside the CFA exam have underperformed the overall pass levels. Half the CFA exams are about learning a fairly hefty syllabus. The other half, which is often overlooked, is dealing with the exam style.

damnyanks

At level 1 reg takes up 15% of the overall grade. I cant see UCD or TCD covering that much reg on their courses (As a student I'd be peeved if I was learning about best practice over the useful stuff)

The UCD Finance course is also 70% of the CFA.

CFA really is the best option I believe. You can do it full time or flexible. Sit the exams twice a year for level 1 and its internationally recognised. IMC is also another option - mainly used in the UK but a useful enough starting point.

dunkamania

When you say reg, do you mean ethics?

The ethics part of the CFA is fairly tough, and should not be skipped over, especially as CFA look at your ethics score if you are borderline overall.
In general, I would not be in favour of doing the CFA in conjunction with another course. I understand there is significant overlap, but its tough to pass the CFA exam and focus on something else at the same time. Do these courses have lecturers that have completed the CFA exams? If not, its likely that you will not be well prepared for the CFA exams.

damnyanks

Yes I mean ethics and its worth 15% of the first level (Highest amount)

It's crap , boring and horrible. But its the most important thing. I just cant see tcd or ucd teaching this course. No one would do the masters if it was on it.

MrJetlag

Hi All

Im in the same boat

Currently working in management in electronics industry, have a dip in electronics and a degree in business and people management.

Looking at doing the Masters Qualifying Programme in Finance in NC Irl and then starting the MA in Finance in Jan part time.

Anyone have any thoughts on this or a better route.

Rgds

Jetlag

dunkamania

damnyanks wrote: »

Yes I mean ethics and its worth 15% of the first level (Highest amount)

It's crap , boring and horrible. But its the most important thing. I just cant see tcd or ucd teaching this course. No one would do the masters if it was on it.

I think you are mistaken accounting is a much larger percentage.
Ethics is important because your mark there will determine whether or not you pass if you are borderline. Also I believe its a 5-15% weighting and not 15%.

Jetlag, what kind of role/career are you eventually looking at?