Resignation to go into finance

[qin841121]

I am now working in education industry teaching aged 13-16 basic accounts. Graduated with finance degree but chose to work there because of "passion". Afterwards, found that the "passion" died and I wish to return to finance. In short, currently pass CFA L3, now taking FRM part 1&2 and this july I will be taking a masters in finance.

I am now quite confused about how should I begin from here as I am planning to quit this teaching job soon. Should I find a "simple" job (just to fulfil the CFA and FRM work exp) and go all out to top the class in my masters in finance. Will it be valuable? Or should I just look for a normal job and score okay marks in the masters in finance course?

As a nerd who has no real finance exposure, I am guessing risk management is more of a niche area and the benefit will be better than finance (am I right)? For those who are already in risk management, can you suggest me some positions I can look out for to apply after I quit my education job next month?

 

[Dmitrij]

Well, it seems it's a good time to be a financial lawyer, with 1500 pages of Frank-Dodd being introduced. Finance is never going to be the same after that.

On a more serious note, are you more interested in doing finance for a bank/fund/brokerage or for a corporation?
Scoring with honors is always something positive and I would think doing very well at a master's programme will benefit you. Go all out for this degree, instead of going all out for the certifications. After all, the certifications cost pennies compared to a normal college degree and no-one will ever look at your certification scores. College master's degrees are something else entirely.

Secondly, which geographic region to you plan to work in, if I might ask? Some places show much more promise for finance than others.

 

[qin841121]

Actually I am fine with working anywhere in the financial industry, but I would guess working in a risk management related job will benefit me more as it is a niche area (many people will just take CFA and go into investment)

The Masters is part time and 1.5years. So is it possible that I don't work and get the CAIA and top honours in the program. I think that this is a stupid idea as interviewers will frown on this?

Is there such thing as a full time job that pays low but does not require a lot of my time (so that I can study for my Masters) but at the same time is recognised as a valid working experience?

I am based in Singapore.

 

[Dmitrij]

Well, I'll come back to this thread a bit later, but off the top of my head - assistant university lecturer for a basic finance course?