- Joined
- 4/2/25
- Messages
- 11
- Points
- 3
Hi everyone,
I’m 21 years old and currently undergoing a career transition. I graduated with a BSc in International Business 3.92/4.00 GPA while playing semi-professional soccer, but over time realized I want to pursue a path where I can innovate, problem solve, and contribute to something more intellectual and technical.
Since graduating, I’ve been self-teaching:
• Python and SQL, which helped me land an AI/ML role at FPT Software under the NVIDIA team where I’ve been working for a year and a half now.
• Currently taking on the Baruch C++ for Financial Engineering Certification
• Completed Calculus I–III and Linear Algebra courses through Coursera (I contacted several MFE programs directly, and they confirmed that Coursera certificates would suffice for prerequisites)
Looking ahead, I’m planning to take the CFA Level 1 and pass it before next spring to strengthen my financial knowledge base and enhance my MFE application.
I did my first two years doing a Finance/ CompSci major:
DSA, Networking, Operating systems, Number Theory, Bus Stats and Prob., Macro/Micro economics, Global Finance.
My question to you all is:
• Do you think pursuing CFA Level 1 is a smart move right now given my end goal of entering a decent MFE program and eventually working in quant finance?
• Or should I prioritize something else (e.g., deeper math coursework, more C++/ML projects, research experience) at this stage?
I’m open to any advice or suggestions. Thanks a lot for your time!
I’m 21 years old and currently undergoing a career transition. I graduated with a BSc in International Business 3.92/4.00 GPA while playing semi-professional soccer, but over time realized I want to pursue a path where I can innovate, problem solve, and contribute to something more intellectual and technical.
Since graduating, I’ve been self-teaching:
• Python and SQL, which helped me land an AI/ML role at FPT Software under the NVIDIA team where I’ve been working for a year and a half now.
• Currently taking on the Baruch C++ for Financial Engineering Certification
• Completed Calculus I–III and Linear Algebra courses through Coursera (I contacted several MFE programs directly, and they confirmed that Coursera certificates would suffice for prerequisites)
Looking ahead, I’m planning to take the CFA Level 1 and pass it before next spring to strengthen my financial knowledge base and enhance my MFE application.
I did my first two years doing a Finance/ CompSci major:
DSA, Networking, Operating systems, Number Theory, Bus Stats and Prob., Macro/Micro economics, Global Finance.
My question to you all is:
• Do you think pursuing CFA Level 1 is a smart move right now given my end goal of entering a decent MFE program and eventually working in quant finance?
• Or should I prioritize something else (e.g., deeper math coursework, more C++/ML projects, research experience) at this stage?
I’m open to any advice or suggestions. Thanks a lot for your time!
Last edited:
