mp3bu

I enjoy this debate, primarily because I like calling out “professionals” in the investment advisory world who collect third tier designations in an attempt to enhance their credibility. It’s just too easy to hold yourself out as an investment advisor in this world, but that’s an entirely separate conversation …
To the enthusiastic 20 year-old described in the initial post, I say “good for you.” At that age, I was naive enough to think that a graduate degree would be my golden ticket to professional success. I can hardly fault someone for trying to better themselves.
Finally, to ddrobinett’s point, I agree that most professionals should avoid peripheral designations in favor of pursuing one or two highly-regarded designations or degrees (CFA, CPA, JD, MBA, etc). I recently turned 27, became engaged, and completed a MS degree in Applied Economics. Pursuing the CFA charter is my “final frontier,” so to speak. After that, the only designations that I will care about are #1 Husband and #1 Dad.