Financial Analysts?

Question

I am currently a Math Major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and I was recently researching what it is exactly I would like to do when I graduate and I came accross the position of finanacial analyst.
What things should I start doing my last few quarters at Cal Poly in order to make a move into that profession? Are there some classes I can take that would give me a jump up? I know I want my career to be in finance so do you have any sggestions? Are there any licenses that you think would be useful on my resume such as the series 65 (investment analysis)? How does a recent graduate start to move towards this career? Who would hire me? Where should I look? I am currently doing an internship with the accounting department of a corporation, but what else can I do to help employers want me?

Answer 1

Don't worry about the licenses -- they won't impress anyone (those exams aren't very hard).

Having a math background is a great start. During your last few terms, take a Microeconomics class, a Macroeconomics class, a couple of accounting classes and as many finance classes as you can.

In finance, you should take the introductory class, one class in corporate finance and any capital markets classes you can (e.h., Investments, Derivatives , Fixed Income).

Make sure you have taken some statistics as part of your math degree.

These courses should make you marketable. You might try applying at investment banks or large commercial banks. Your placement office should be able to give you some help.

Math is a great background for finance (I have ten years experience in Wall Street firms, an undergrad in Math, an MBA in Finace from Duke, a PhD in Finance from Berkeley and have taught finance at MIT & Wharton -- so trust me on this).

Good luck.

Answer 2

If you get your level 1 CFA certification, you will definitely get a lot of job offers.

The test and material to study for this is expensive. So, it would need to be an investment (for everything... plan on spending maybe $2000). I would also plan on spending 6 months studying for it (10-20 hours per week).

Most people that do a CFA take this while on their first job and sometimes their companies reimburse them. Most people don't have any particular training... just a good overall eduction and good grades. However, if you want a leg up on the competition to land your first job... then having this is definitely the way to go and will help you get into the industry.


Steve