Quote:
Originally Posted by arcfyr
Thanks for the answers. I suppose my short-term objective is to ensure that I have as many options as possible in the event that I lose my job, and that the downturn in the O&G sector lasts for awhile. I've been looking at furthering my education/qualifications, such as getting a MBA (not 100% keen on it so far, but we'll see), PMP (don't qualify yet!), and others. Of course, it goes without saying that the best thing to do right now is to do well at work and avoid needing a backup plan! I've been saving up money for awhile, ever since trouble started, and I think I have enough emergency fund saved up to pay for exam fees.
So, I suppose the question to ask would be:
In the event of a job loss and a prolonged downturn in the energy sector, would it be beneficial to have an engineering degree + passing CFA level 1 or 2? Would this help for a job search in another industry, such as the financial sector?
Haven't written yet, but I'm considering Level 1 this December and Level 2 next Fall.
Thanks again!
|
Well education is always a good investment IMO. The thing with the CFA is that there is no such thing as a partial designation, such as a 'level one CFA' or things like that. Instead you can say you passed that level of exam when you do. It might help, but it depends on what kind of job you're after. Lots seem to ask for people who have started their CFA or are working toward it, so it wouldn't hurt.
You can write level one in December but two and three are only offered in June...which is partly why I really hope I made it past level two this year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by peter12
No, in December. I got the early bird deal and signed up in March.
Where does a Level 1 start studying??
|
I would use the CFA books and do all the end of chapter questions and blue boxes. Use the mock exams on the CFA site and for more questions get the Schweser question bank. Basically if you can rip through those questions and know exactly what to do and how to do it, you should pass. Level one is much more of that kind of thing than level two. Don't let me mislead you into suggesting the qualitative questions aren't important, because they are and you can expect plenty of those as well!
It's tough. I'm not a guy who fails things, and I've written all kinds of tests and exams. When I got my band 10 fail for level one I was both stunned and surprised. The thing is that everyone sitting around you is in the same boat - no one there puts in hundreds of hours of work and just sort of mails it in.