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asa_sl · 08-07-2008, 02:35 PM

What do you think of doing CFA while you attend PHD econ programm? will it have value in job market? and do we have time to do both programms?

Canuckonomist · 08-07-2008, 02:52 PM

Most TMers will tell you that you barely have time to do a Ph.D.

LouisBD · 08-07-2008, 03:07 PM

I imagine that obtaining the CFA is not that difficult. I have a few friends who have obtained it and they have not put much effort in to it. Reading through the topical outline, the larger part should be basic material for a serious econ phd. Let us say that it would take four days to quickly study the material and pass. None of my friends have studied more than a week so yes you probably can study this during your phd (the later stage probably), the question is why?

I can't really think of a job were both is required. I can not think of a job in which the employer thinks that the cfa is value added to the phd.
The private employment market for phd's is not waiting for a phd + cfa, they are looking for other things.

asianeconomist · 08-07-2008, 03:18 PM

The usual career paths and job responsibilities of Econ PhDs and CFA-qualified people are quite distinct and nearly never overlaps. If you're really intending to promote your credentials for industry, then it might be more worthwhile to get a certificate/degree in Statistics.

oldprogrammer · 08-07-2008, 03:18 PM

It sounds like you're not interested in academia if you are looking into getting a CFA. If that is the case, what type of position are you looking for? I ask because I have to agree with LouisBD in that I can't think of where it makes a desirable combination.

treblekicker · 08-07-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisBD

I imagine that obtaining the CFA is not that difficult. I have a few friends who have obtained it and they have not put much effort in to it. Reading through the topical outline, the larger part should be basic material for a serious econ phd. Let us say that it would take four days to quickly study the material and pass. None of my friends have studied more than a week so yes you probably can study this during your phd (the later stage probably), the question is why?

I can't really think of a job were both is required. I can not think of a job in which the employer thinks that the cfa is value added to the phd.
The private employment market for phd's is not waiting for a phd + cfa, they are looking for other things.

I was under the impression that getting a CFA requires quite a bit of studying. My father got his and it took A LOT of studying for him. Although, he was out of school for a very long time after he got his, so maybe that was it. Isn't the material basically just core finance undergrad and MBA stuff? Ie things that Econ PhD's don't cover-- unless you specialize in finance.

GooniesNeverSayDie · 08-07-2008, 08:33 PM

I'm actually in the process of studying for the CFA right now and from my experience and that of my colleagues who have taken the exam it is a very difficult exam. First, it takes on average about 3 years to complete all three levels so it is def. time consuming. If you are attending econ grad school and taking the exam i think it may a very difficult thing to do and i dont really think the payoffs from having it will be that large. If you want to work in finance or on a trading desk or something then its good to have, but i dont think not having it would keep you from getting those types of jobs after grad school. I work with several econ Ph.Ds who are taking the exam now and they have said that the exams are tough. I would wait until after a Ph.D program to take up the task, plus a lot of companies will pay for you to take it. just my .02 cents

Good Luck

asa_sl · 08-08-2008, 12:03 AM

I have seen lot of CVs of professors who have both CFA,PHD s.
I wonder they have done CFA while doing thier PHD or after PHD.

asianeconomist · 08-08-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asa_sl

I have seen lot of CVs of professors who have both CFA,PHD s.

In business schools ?

LouisBD · 08-08-2008, 09:12 AM

Perhaps I should clarify: The people I was referring to were all quite recent out of university, had corporate finance oriented jobs and had studied economics/business/finance. Of course if this material is allready +10 years behind you, it may take some more study. But with the background many people have over here it should not pose a big problem.

Many professors with CFA and phd? In relative terms probably not that many and some have this combinations probably due to specific circumstances or because of many consulting projects (in business schools) and not an a priori choice.
(of course speculation)

08-07-2008, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
asa_sl Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 140	PHD Econ with CFA What do you think of doing CFA while you attend PHD econ programm? will it have value in job market? and do we have time to do both programms?

08-07-2008, 02:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Canuckonomist Loving the Ivory Tower Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kingston, Canada Posts: 357	Most TMers will tell you that you barely have time to do a Ph.D. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Attending Queen's University Applying to: UChicago, NWU, Yale, NYU, Columbia, Michigan, Minnesota, Cornell, Rochester, BU, Toronto Ph.D comics by Jorge Cham... Now I can actually say they relate.

08-07-2008, 03:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
asianeconomist Loving the game Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,017	The usual career paths and job responsibilities of Econ PhDs and CFA-qualified people are quite distinct and nearly never overlaps. If you're really intending to promote your credentials for industry, then it might be more worthwhile to get a certificate/degree in Statistics. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ The Pens have been lifted and the Pages have dried. - recorded by At Tirmidhee.

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08-07-2008, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
LouisBD Eager! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 43	I imagine that obtaining the CFA is not that difficult. I have a few friends who have obtained it and they have not put much effort in to it. Reading through the topical outline, the larger part should be basic material for a serious econ phd. Let us say that it would take four days to quickly study the material and pass. None of my friends have studied more than a week so yes you probably can study this during your phd (the later stage probably), the question is why? I can't really think of a job were both is required. I can not think of a job in which the employer thinks that the cfa is value added to the phd. The private employment market for phd's is not waiting for a phd + cfa, they are looking for other things.

08-07-2008, 03:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
oldprogrammer Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas, USA Posts: 203	It sounds like you're not interested in academia if you are looking into getting a CFA. If that is the case, what type of position are you looking for? I ask because I have to agree with LouisBD in that I can't think of where it makes a desirable combination.

08-07-2008, 08:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
GooniesNeverSayDie Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 21	I'm actually in the process of studying for the CFA right now and from my experience and that of my colleagues who have taken the exam it is a very difficult exam. First, it takes on average about 3 years to complete all three levels so it is def. time consuming. If you are attending econ grad school and taking the exam i think it may a very difficult thing to do and i dont really think the payoffs from having it will be that large. If you want to work in finance or on a trading desk or something then its good to have, but i dont think not having it would keep you from getting those types of jobs after grad school. I work with several econ Ph.Ds who are taking the exam now and they have said that the exams are tough. I would wait until after a Ph.D program to take up the task, plus a lot of companies will pay for you to take it. just my .02 cents Good Luck

08-08-2008, 12:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
asa_sl Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 140	I have seen lot of CVs of professors who have both CFA,PHD s. I wonder they have done CFA while doing thier PHD or after PHD.

08-08-2008, 09:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
LouisBD Eager! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 43	Perhaps I should clarify: The people I was referring to were all quite recent out of university, had corporate finance oriented jobs and had studied economics/business/finance. Of course if this material is allready +10 years behind you, it may take some more study. But with the background many people have over here it should not pose a big problem. Many professors with CFA and phd? In relative terms probably not that many and some have this combinations probably due to specific circumstances or because of many consulting projects (in business schools) and not an a priori choice. (of course speculation)

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