Aadesh P

Future Business/Finance Education: CFA

Robert Stammers, “A Look At CFA Job Opportunities.” Investopedia. (Accessed November 23, 2011). http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/cfa-job-oppurtunity.asp.

This article compares the CFA with the MBA designation and the pros and cons of choosing the path to acquire the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Insight is also given to what opportunities are opened after the CFA such as job prospects and industries where current CFA’s work. The article outlines the importance of the CFA and how it will help you grow in your career goals. This article gave me future insight into what my possible future career aspirations could be as I am looking to acheive my CPA Designation in the next 5 years.

Linette, Lopez. “11 Reasons Why It's Better To Get A CFA Than An MBA.” ''Business Insider. ''May 29th 2013. http://www.businessinsider.com/cfa-better-than-getting-your-mba-2013-5.

This article shows the comparison between the MBA and CFA designation from the perspective of the CFA being the better option. It gives 11 solid reasons for why you may choose to pursue your CFA designation. This is very important information for me as I look to pursue further education or designations to further develop my business and finance background. I am interested in both receiving an MBA and CFA however this article helps me clarify what I should focus on first as a more racticle option.

Investment Banking Career Outlook

“Career Overview: Investment Banking.” Wetfeet. December 1, 2012. https://www.wetfeet.com/articles/career-overview-investment-banking.

In this article he authors of Wetfeet give a great overview of what the investment banking field is all about. They answer all the questions of what to expect, what you’ll do, who does well, what the requirements are and to what are the job outlook possibilities. It elaborates on the working environment along with the fast-paced demand of the corporate finance profit hungry industry, giving a greater understanding of what is expected. The article also states how the field is very competitive to get in and if marks are not in the top along with a top league school networking is your best bet. I feel investment banking is what I want to pursue in the future after university and this article gave me a greater understanding of what to expect and how to there, along with how my future career might hold.

“Get Into Investment Banking 101.” ''Get Into Investment Banking. (''Accessed on December 4th 2015.)      http://getintoinvestmentbanking.com/get-into-investment-banking-101/.

The primary focus of this article is not to describe or give overview of the field but is clearly to give the reader some essential tips on how to land a job in the investment banking field. The articles gives 19 helpful insights as to how to get into investment banking. The following are the 19 points discussed in the article: 1. Become an expert on investment banking 2. Learn everything there is out there on investment banking recruiting 3. Create a banker friendly resume 4. Write a minimalist cover letter 5. Strategize your action plan 6. Move networking to the top of your To Do list 7. Learn the interview answers before your Superdays 8. Understand what bankers really want to see from you 9. Eliminate any banker pet hates from your repertoire 10. Get to grips with current recruiting conditions. 11. Formulate a handful of Plan Bs 12. Seek out unpaid internships if you must 13. Hunt down your alumni 14. Cold calling is a last resort 15. Boost your grades before your ECs 16. Consider postponing recruiting till next year 17. Stop wasting time on the unimportant issues 18. Forget about financial modeling…for now 19. Eat your banking frog first thing every morning. This article was very important for me as it showed me what I have to do now to get to where I want to be in the near future possible within the next 5 years.

Network Effectively 

Henricks, Drew. “6 Ways To Network More Effectively.” ''Forbes. ''August 21st, 2014. http://www.forbes.com/sites/drewhendricks/2014/08/21/6-ways-to-network-more-effectively/.''

Drew Henricks shares with us 6 great ways to network more effectively in a company or entrepreneurial setting however applies to general networking in a variety of settings including myself. The 6 ways stated in the article include:

1.  Networking is a two-way street - This means that whenever you meet someone, you need to ask them as much as possible regarding their business, as well as informing them about yours.

2.  Evaluate Your Contacts - It’s important to filter through your contacts to see who is worth establishing a relationship with.

3.  Meet-and-Mingle - Get yourself out there!

4. Always Get a Second Date – Important to secure a second meet up to further network and build the network

5.  Spend Time Social Networking – Use social media to your advantage, follow up with professionals through Twitter and Linkedin.

6.  Nurture and Maintain Strategic Relationships – Establish meaningful relationships need to choose the right people and meet on a regular basis with a purpose.

Networking is very important in the business field and a great way to land some great internships which is what I am trying to achieve therefore I found this article really helpful, showing me how to network properly. Also networking is a must as I am trying to pursue a very competitive field of Investment banking.

Grant, Alex. “6 Ways to Network While You're in College.” USNEWS. September 28th 2011. http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/09/28/6-ways-to-network-while-youre-in-college.

Alex Grant in this article is directing his tips to specifically college or university students where he explains how starting to network early is the best and how we can make the most out of college or university edging other students. Also states if you want to get an internship or job out of university you need to know people. The 6 ways Alex Grant suggests to network are:

1.   Play the student card – Alumni and Professionals more likely to want to help as not looking for job but just good advice.

2.   Use your friends' parents as resources - Have years of experience and networks you can use to your advantage.

3.   Get out of the bubble – Go to off campus events

4.   Use LinkedIn – Track the network you’re building and stay in touch

5.   Use Twitter strategically – Connect with business professionals

6.   Get an internship – Real life experience putting you ahead of competition

This article was very useful for me as it is directed to me and need to network in my university to get ahead of the competition to achieve my future goals. Also I am trying to get an internship first year summer which is very difficult without great networking, which I look to achieve through the help of this article.

Life Balance 

“5 Tips to Achieve Your Optimal Work/School/Life Balance.” ''Columbia University. '' December 18th 2014. http://sps.columbia.edu/news/5-tips-achieve-your-optimal-workschoollife-balance.

This article from the school of professional studies at Columbia University addresses how to balance your work life while also studying and having a social life which I feel is that I must prepare for from today. The article shares 5 tips on how they think you can achieve the optimal life balance. The following are the tips explained through personal details of professionals at Columbia University.

1.  Reinforce your personal support system – Get support from your family and friends and they are able to help you throughout the journey.

2.  Lean on your professional contacts – Talk to professionals with experience for advice and help

3.  Take advantage of online options if possible – With advancing technology everything is becoming online and easily accessible online try to switch some communications online to save time and be more efficient. For example online courses or meetings.

4.  Shuffle your priorities – Determine a strategy for time allotting your school and work before social life.

5.  Cut yourself some slack – Must not sacrifice health as it is the most important thing.

Pitt, Mayble. “Balance your social and academic life at university.” The ''Telegraph. ''September 24, 2014.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/11100038/Balance-your-social-and-academic-life-at-university.html.

Mayble Pitt directs his article to the audience of first years in university and claims the first advice he gives is that first year does count, which many people have a perception that doesn’t count for much. He also relates as a student and gives it in a perspective where students like myself are able to relate and greater understand his point of view. Mayble also mentions falling into the timetable trap is terrible, which I feel I have currently fell in, where I wake up when classes start and waste time in-between.