Quote from toc:
"of course, but I see the CFA as virtually worthless"
This is the biggest crackhole advise I have heard on ET. CFA is the toughest of the certifications in Finance and Accounting industry...much hard than CPA, CA etc. etc.
Anyone having CFA would have an equal standing vis-a-vis Ivy Leagues and there are many small firms who would take you just to have your name on the team with CFA showing high and bright.
Once in, then it will be performance of portfolio returns and equity recommendations that matters the most. If you do not deliver then better go into teaching/phd to stick in the industry.
It's CMT that is pretty worthless in terms of 'order winner' traits. It is a basic coursework type program. To become a trader with banks etc. having CMT is not good enough, not by far.
Well, we ARE "sharing our thoughts".
I've been a trader more than 20 years. And when I traded public money was relatively famous. What one needs to learn about trading today is not taught by CFA. If one is looking to be a "buy and hold" mutual fund portfolio manger, CFA should help land an interview. JMO.