CFA vs. MS FINANCE single, interview, programme, 2012, currently

morebeans

I, Puneet Singal, am currently a CFA Level 3 Candidate (June, 2013). I cleared my CFA Level 1 Exam (Dec, 2011) and CFA Level 2 Exam (June, 2012).
I am applying for jobs since the day my Level 2 result came out in July, 2012 but till now have received only single interview call. I was thinking maybe I should go for Master’s in Finance programme which would provide me with good job opportunities.
Is it advisable to go for Master’s in Finance programme after studying CFA curriculum for all the 3 levels?? Master’s in Finance programme would cover the same topics as covered by me while studying CFA. I don’t think it would be advisable to study all the same things again.
Can anyone guide me regarding this?? Are there any such courses where one can learn something new and get good opportunities to work?? Is it worth spending time and money doing such a course??

giorgio10

I, Frank Arabia, recommend you watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians starting from season 1 and also watching all of the spin offs. Otherwise, as the seasons go along you won’t understand what is going on.

Benjiko

I wouldn’t bother with an MSF. You aren’t really going to learn anything additional and you would better spend your time studying for L3 and trying to network or secure a job that will help you get fill your work experience requirements.
Are you looking for work in the US or over seas? Do you have any work experience?

MiniMe7

Network and develop a pleasant personality.  That will get you further than a MSF.

chandsingh

I did an MSF before doing the CFA.  The CFA went far deeper into material.  My MSF program was very light compared to the CFA, especially in portfolio management.

maratikus

Yeah, agree with above. Possibly look at joining a local CFA chapter. Plenty of networking there. If you had only L1 done I might be inclined to possibly recommend an MSF, but no sense now. Unless you got into say MIT or Princeton.
The MSF takes aspects of all three CFA levels, plus some more academic elements, and combines it into a one year degree. Each school presents it in a slightly different way, but with L2 complete I don’t think you will get a proper ROI.
Also, and please take no offense, but I see far too many Indian and Chinese students looking at US masters as a panacea for their employment woes. Unfortunately the US has become a lot less inviting to international students looking for jobs. With the way the financial sector is right now it is hard to get a job without needing sponsorship.

kmf229

I’m not sure if more school is the way to go. You might fall into the cycle of {cannot find job - more school - cannot find job - more school - cannot find job…}. Maybe you are not applying to the appropriate sort of jobs.

grharmeyer

If you can’t find a job with a bachelor degree and in the process of finishing the CFA exams, then more schooling is not the solution.  The problem lies within.

amqata

former trader wrote:
If you can’t find a job with a bachelor degree and in the process of finishing the CFA exams, then more schooling is not the solution.  The problem lies within.
i can attest to that

hanvinh

L3Crucifier, that is not quite a fair statement.  Like anything else, the CFA is what you make of it and is only another credential like a college degree.  The CFA program has provided education and financial knowledge to thousands of people, even those who only sat for level I and failed.  I think it is fair to say that the material in level I is nearly equivalent to the curriculum of a finance undergrad degree.  That is worth something in its self.  It is true that if you do not plan to work in investment management, the CFA is not worth pursuing and you would be better served choosing a more generalist program like an MBA or MA in management.