Hi Mark. I am 60. Used to be Full-time Day Trader 2017-19. I joined CFA (your L1 course) for knowledge not for passing exam. Yes you are right each page of course is applied in the real world market. Proud of you.
I’m a CPA with a masters in accounting and was blown away by the quality of the CFA exam. I somehow started doing securities litigation consulting at work and everything on the exam has been incredibly useful for that work. The quality of the content the CFA tests is absolutely light years ahead of the CPA exam. For the CPA maybe 20% of the information tested was applicable in practice and it was very obvious when studying (memorizing the audit report language is a great example, no one should ever write an audit report from memory) whereas the CFA is so practical it’s actually exciting. They are the gold standard for professional exams in my mind, actually learning your job while doing the exam should be the entire point and a lot of other designations fail to recognize that.
This video weirdly got me. It made me realize why I flunked Level 1. It's because of my lazy attitude towards my work. Thanks Mark for opening my eyes.
Thank you, Mark, I couldn't agree with you more. I am on level 2 now, the more I learn, the more I like it, i don;t feel i am wasting my time, CFA has broaden my horizons and indeed i have learned a lot
Absolutely agree. As I study the various topics of L2,I can see how it all applies to the real world. I read any article in a financial newspaper, I truly understand it now.
I personally started the CFA Program after finishing my Master's in Finance to better my profile. Initially I thought it was just passing three exams, but it has actually been an incredible learning experience. I haven't got a job in financial analysis, but the knowledge brought on by the CFA Program has definitely made me stand out far above my peers.
This hit me because i really want a career in finance but i realized that i haven't put in the effort that i need to get better, probably because of the thought that i always got by in school and i want to get rid of that mindset in my career. thank you, Dr. Mark!
Regardless if you pass or not, the CFA is a terrific learning experience. You will definitely learn and be so much more knowledgeable about the content from Day 1 onward. It’s a matter of effort and having passion for the content.
Thank You Sir! Words to live by...not only for CFA but for every aspect of your life! I already crushed all 3 levels and got my designation and I still find things to learn from you every day!
Sr, Im somebody from Angola\Africa who just got interested on CFA, from what you just explain here, you dont know much you changed my life with your comments about everything. thank you so much Sr!!!
Thanks Mark! I’m an undergraduate student and i have found in the CFA material every topic i wanted to learn more, even if i pass the exams or not i am 100% sure that this is worth it
This is so very true. I spent my undergrad just getting by and I absolutely regret how I wasted my time and potential because it did show on my first interview that I was barely getting by. Accounting and finance is in my blood. I would’ve excelled had I realised my potential and now I’m self studying to correct that. Be excellent in everything. Escape mediocrity.
@@nuntissonne3943 not currently but I plan to go to grade school next year and maybe register for the CFA level 1 exam in November. Do you also plan to go back to school?
@@iambloopy I just finished my BSc with a very low GPA, now I want to start a MSc in September/October but my options aren't very good because I didn't meet the admission requirements of the best grad schools. I think I will do my MSc in a non-target university just to fix my very low GPA even if the prospects aren't very good. But I'm italian though, so my situation could be different from yours. I also want to do my CFA lvl 1 in november and I'm using MM material
@@nuntissonne3943 congratulations on finishing your bachelors and I’m proud of you! Someone told me that after you get your foot in, it’s no longer about your GPA. Let’s focus on fixing our GPAs + CFA so we can get our feet in the door and build relationships. I’m wishing you the best on your MSc and level 1 exam!
Dr Mark with the straight talk! Thanks for continuing to be genuine and not just pumping the CFA charter like other prep firms. This was a detailed and thoughtful answer. Hell, I even came out of it with a greater appreciation for my undergraduate degree.
you are a wonderful person Dr. Meldrum you dont just teach students about knowledge but you teach them why they need to study and how they can pursue better lives
This is such a nice coincidence! I just started my channel during the Covid-19 and did a video on the same topic! Probably why RU-vid suggested this video to me :) Taking this chance, I would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH Dr Mark and hope you are keeping well. I wouldn't have got my charter last year without you. I did some contents in Level 2 and 3 with your videos and they were awesome (I much preferred them to some mandarin videos i had before, despite being a native speaker in mandarin). It is not just your teaching - I definitely learned more. For anyone who is looking for a exam prep provider, you have REALLY got the best one here!
Sir, I just stumbled on your video in a CMA FB group..Your realism is off the charts..few experienced people give this advice which is very needed given the brutality of the professional world..Yesterday I've passed the CFA investment foundations exam..I know it's a free basic exam but I 'm proud that I got it as I'm from a country called Tunisia were it's hard to get the necessary ressources to reach the international level. I've subscribed to your channel as I'm looking for mentorship to guide me through. Thank you.
You nailed my attitude in b school when you mentioned the 'just getting by'part. And i did moan that the degree didn't get me a great job. But in retrospect, it got me a good job that exposed me to the financial world which kind of has me taking the initial steps towards a CFA. Most CFA videos are people telling others not to do it, so I'm glad i watched this, and it's inspired me even more to do it differently for the CFA prep.
Gotta say this video hit me pretty hard. Really making me question whether I made the right choice or not by entering this program. Why I say that is because when you asked whether whatever is going on in the market intrigues you, my answer was no. I mean I like finance to an extent, and I enjoy watching your videos, but simply do not have a passion towards it. When I see you, I can feel the passion coming out of my phone screen. I tried developing that passion by reading the newspaper, looking out for finance journals etc. but simply could not finish reading. I just feel that it is so because I currently do not have any real life relatability to it. My current work has got very little to do with what I'm preparing for. I usually develop an interest when I am hands-on into whatever I'm doing rather than seeing at from a distance. After watching your video, I'm just starting to get the feeling that I'm forcing myself to like something which I'm not really into. But then again, as I said, what if I start developing the passion if I get into a job that is related to this. Now taking up the exam, I'm now starting to feel guilty that I might be one of the people who just see it as an exam and not as a way of learning. But honestly I'm not that kind of person, who views exams as just exams. I guess somewhere along the way, I got intimidated by the sheer vastness in the content that I'm not really sure which theory needs to be applied in which situation. But whatever it is, if in the end I do develop that passion it will in most part be due to you, and I will forever appreciate you for it, even if it doesn't happen, I would still appreciate you for making me like something which I'm not interested in, and making me believe for a small point of time that I could take this up as a career and be happy. I still remember the first time I stumbled upon your Level 1 videos. I was just blown away by your vibrant enthusiasm while explaining the content, I was just so happy that I could actually like something and take it up as a career. And for that initial feeling of euphoria I will forever be grateful to you Prof. Keep up the good work and continue inspiring people.
Oh my god!! I can relate to you ALL THE WAY!!! I personally got interested in learning more about CFA simply because I see it popping up so frequently on jobs I wanted to apply as a bonus. And also simply because I just graduated from college with a degree in business and wanted to learn more and in depth of this huge subject called business. But kind of like you, I got a little intimidated seeing the amount of knowledge there are to learn and also the passion level that seems impossible to match up to. I mean, I love to study and learn more about the "business field" or "finance" but I am just not sure if I'll end up thinking my time were well spent and ended up falling in love with it, or just thinking that I did it and just to do it. While pouring time and efforts into something that I might not even be "that" interested / passionate about.
To be honest, I just thought there'd be an old man knowing nothing about today's times and giving shitty advice but listening to you seemed so clear and just loved the way you articulate your thoughts
Brilliant, no one has said it so well on why you should or should not go for the course. Makes you rethink the reason why you want to do this. Very encouraging. thank you mark!
Thank you Prof for this piece of advice, you have given me more energy. I'm currently working in a government department that specializes in mining industry development. I decided to form my Mining Investment Advisory Company and for your own information, i'm using the CFA curriculum as my rule book. This makes studying CFA more interesting, studying to find answers.
Thankyou for this video, Mark. I had a burning desire to learn finance and I left a good engineering college to pursue finance when I discovered this was it for me. I got in engineering because of parents. People criticised me for the move but I graduated university with top grades and now applied for level 1 just because of the desire to learn. Thanks Mark for assuring me!
It took to me 4 years to get the job I wanted. The CFA program was enlightening and even if I managed to get the job I'm doing now I wouldn't have been able to keep it without it. I made sacrifices and I had to suffer during the path. Who doesnt go through this just can't understand.
Wow! I am in awe with what you said. I am not in finance but I am considering to do my CFA however was finding it difficult to wrap my mind around the whole process. You have just shaken my world, wow!
Thank you very much for your video, Mark. I would not have passed Level 3 without your QBank and instant replies. I don't know if my motivation matches your criteria, but my motivation to go through the program was spite. Job interviewing and networking are two things that I struggle with and I was constantly rejected for even entry-level jobs in finance, so I want to get the charter to prove that I belonged in the industry because I have a real knack for it (especially for analyzing financial results). Again, thank you for helping all of us get through this challenging program.
thanks for the wake up call sir, it's less about the knowledge on the textbook but rather how much effort am I putting in to make this work in what I want to do. I should be putting 100% on the effort, applying and learning.
Thank You for that fantastic video.Probably the best so far covering that aspect of the journey called CFA. In general, thats why i dont watch or read anything related to “Is CFA designation worth it?” or “How i can get L1 exam for 1 month?” .They are all the same.You explained brilliantly. Ive developed my strategy and dont want to bother spending time confusing myself For me personally its well worth it.Even that i do not got an economic or a finance background.Ive just love it. I can feel even how my brain changed working after Quantitative Methods section.I love that section,honestly. The only problem i got is that i do not know how to apply in real life some of the concepts,but i know it will take time and revising and ill get to understand them. Once again,Mr Meldrum Thank You for the great video and thank you for all the effort you put down for us!
I like this guy. I'm 20 years old (not eligible to do the exams) and I'm studying CFA like mad because I see the real power in the knowledge. Happy to see someone that confirms my thoughts on real word application!
Dr. Mark I come back to this video every few months to remind myself why I love this game. I'm only 19 and; money or no money; I vow to dedicate the rest of my life to Finance. Thank you sir.
This is the best motivation video. I was misunderstanding my goal just pursuing CFA instead applying those theories and knowledges to my future career. Thanks
When I feel any sort of hopelessness, I revert back to this vital reminder. My dream is to do phD in finance to lecture. I am only doing CFA to get more practical tools in my hands. Professor, your videos are too crucial for my aspiring dream. Thank you!
I have recently passed level II. I completely agree with what you said, and I am re-reading some of the level II curriculum again, simply fascinated by the knowledge and concept.
I think some of the concern on Reddit was more directed toward the worry that asset management is a shrinking industry due to a trend toward passive investing, and whether that would affect job opportunities for future charterholders. Would love to hear your take on this.
OMG YOU ARE THE BAE MARK! SO SO SO INSPRIING! NOT KIDDING! You are the king, the queen, the prince, the princess, the mentor, the friend, the teacher! I love your attitude and your spirit! You are spot on everything!
Hi Mark, thanks for making the video. My level 1 exam is about 3 month away and I am almost done with going through the learning objectives. What you talked about in the video provided me with a very important lesson, I have been trying to cruise through the entire level 1 by studying as minimally as I could as I already had a degree in finance. I was interested to pass the exam and the knowledge that went along with it in level 1, not so much I guess. I intend to look at all the content again in a new light by focusing on how can I not memorize the contents and how is it applied in real life. Thank you once again for taking the time to make this video. It is such a important wake up call for me. Cheers!
Yo.. I had an interview at a hedge fund and this dude reminds of the hedge fund manager... He asked me about my thoughts on the current Fed's position on interest rates, asked me about inflation and whole load of real world questions to see if I was really about it lol.. Good ass advice! Thank you!!
Thanks Mark for the words. I am definitely passionate about this thing just like you said. I was just about to sleep after practicing python for finance and data analysis but I got so pumped by your words that I guess I am going to practice an hour more. Hehe thank you sir.
I’d like to give an interesting experience I’ve had about a year ago to shed some more light into this. I was attending a networking event, and had the chance to meet two people (in IB) who were CFA charterholders. I asked both if the CFA was worth it. One gave a reply similar to Mark, and explained how it helped him leverage himself and stand out from the crowd, thus securing a job at the firm. The other person said that he thinks in retrospect that it wasn’t worth his effort, despite the fact that at the time, he was also given the chance to complete the 2nd and 3rd levels (all paid) while working, thus possibly helping him leverage his abilities and stand out from the crowd as a hard working dedicated person. So in conclusion, I believe its as useful as we make it to be. The potential is there and it is up to us to make the most out of it.
I totally agree with you. I did just enough to get by and didn't really appreciate my econ/finance major. Now that I am 38, I have discovered a whole new passion for the economy and finance and am now considering studying for my CFA to get a job in the sector and learn how to invest on my own. I just hope it isn't too late. Thanks for sharing!
