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qzsea · 2009 August 14th, 10:06 AM

I am now a freshmen in a finance phd program. I know that going into industry is a good option for finance phds. Although I have decided to devote myself to those academic issue during my phd study, I hope I could go to industry after my gradution.

1.So what kind of preparation should I make or which part should I emphasize during my phd study?

2.Is it necessary to try to pass the CFA exams? Or should I just spend those times in my study an research to get a solid base?

I sincerely appreciate it if friends here could give me some advice on this. Thanks a lot！

JosephKeith72 · 2009 October 17th, 04:00 AM

You'll need to focus on research to get the degree. Your profs may not want to hear about your interests in "industry".

phdhope · 2009 October 18th, 08:36 AM

While I am not a finance phd, if you really want to do industry, is a phd the best route? I know anecdotally that quite a few phds finance go to industry. However, I imagine working for 5 years would probably give you a better chance working in industry than a phd will.

zshfryoh1 · 2009 October 18th, 02:46 PM

To answer question 2, the answer is no, no, no. The type of work in industry that CFA's do is not the type of work a finance PhD does, so you will be wasting your time. For the jobs that go to PhDs they do not care if you have a CFA or not.

csphd2010 · 2009 October 22nd, 01:35 AM

I'm in I-banking now, and for what its worth I'd say if you want to go to industry after the PhD it is worth your time, especially if you want to do portfolio management etc. It is highly regarded throughout the industry and it sends a strong message of your dedication.

As mentioned here, my guess is it wont add much value for you in academia, besides furthering your knowledge. The CFA takes three years to complete even if you can pass straight through, so I'd start sooner than later! I know a few finance professors who have admitted that they can't get pass the first level (it's definitely a different skill set than being a good researcher so wouldn't come to too much of a conclusion based off of this). Anyhow, if I were you I'd give myself 4 months+ to give it a good shot.

mabuiir · 2009 October 22nd, 01:40 AM

If you can manage, complete both the CFA and FRM designations. Most finance guys from Wharton I know have both of them. They are great no matter what you end up in, academia or industry. There are thousands of finance programs in this world but only 1 CFA and 1 FRM.

2009 August 14th, 10:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
qzsea I JUST got here. Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	Is it necessary for Finance phd students to take CFA exams? I am now a freshmen in a finance phd program. I know that going into industry is a good option for finance phds. Although I have decided to devote myself to those academic issue during my phd study, I hope I could go to industry after my gradution. 1.So what kind of preparation should I make or which part should I emphasize during my phd study? 2.Is it necessary to try to pass the CFA exams? Or should I just spend those times in my study an research to get a solid base? I sincerely appreciate it if friends here could give me some advice on this. Thanks a lot！

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2009 October 17th, 04:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
JosephKeith72 metricsguy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 41	You'll need to focus on research to get the degree. Your profs may not want to hear about your interests in "industry".

2009 October 18th, 08:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
phdhope Eager! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 99	While I am not a finance phd, if you really want to do industry, is a phd the best route? I know anecdotally that quite a few phds finance go to industry. However, I imagine working for 5 years would probably give you a better chance working in industry than a phd will.

2009 October 18th, 02:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
zshfryoh1 Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 385	To answer question 2, the answer is no, no, no. The type of work in industry that CFA's do is not the type of work a finance PhD does, so you will be wasting your time. For the jobs that go to PhDs they do not care if you have a CFA or not.

2009 October 22nd, 01:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
csphd2010 I JUST got here. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6	I'm in I-banking now, and for what its worth I'd say if you want to go to industry after the PhD it is worth your time, especially if you want to do portfolio management etc. It is highly regarded throughout the industry and it sends a strong message of your dedication. As mentioned here, my guess is it wont add much value for you in academia, besides furthering your knowledge. The CFA takes three years to complete even if you can pass straight through, so I'd start sooner than later! I know a few finance professors who have admitted that they can't get pass the first level (it's definitely a different skill set than being a good researcher so wouldn't come to too much of a conclusion based off of this). Anyhow, if I were you I'd give myself 4 months+ to give it a good shot.

2009 October 22nd, 01:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
mabuiir Eager! Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 38	If you can manage, complete both the CFA and FRM designations. Most finance guys from Wharton I know have both of them. They are great no matter what you end up in, academia or industry. There are thousands of finance programs in this world but only 1 CFA and 1 FRM.

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