Worth it to continue MBA

Amf08006 · February 20, 2015, 4:30pm

[original post removed]

L2_Again · February 20, 2015, 5:12pm

Seems fishy that you don’t know how to spell the name of the school that you’re allegedly attending. Also, Kellogg doesn’t offer an online MBA, as far as I’m aware.

Amf08006 · February 20, 2015, 5:14pm

Sorry Kelley autocorrected to Kellog on my smartphone

L2_Again · February 20, 2015, 5:57pm

Uh-huh. And back in September when you claimed to be attending UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program, I guess that was another smartphone autocorrect ?

dwheats · February 20, 2015, 9:05pm

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LOL nice

cgottuso8190 · February 20, 2015, 9:40pm

Nice detective work. What I’m curious about is why someone would lie about this? I sincerely would like to know. The rankings (FT MBA) are VERY similar. I’m too lazy to look into the online MBA rankings (in fact, is that a thing?) but I’d assume they were similar with a slight edge to Kenan-Flagler.

itera · February 20, 2015, 10:50pm

Amf08006:

I’m young engineer (3 years working experience). About 18 months ago I decided engineering wasn’t for me, (mainly for personality fit and personal interest in the subject area(s)), and that I wanted to pursure my passion for active style asset management.

All be told my current job is pretty good to me, which makes me feel like I should wait for just the right opportunity to come along before jumping ship. At the same time I understand that I will likely need to take a step back professionally to get on my desired career track.

I am asking for advice as to whether or not a paritcular opportunity that has presented itself to me should be my first step on this new path.

Below I’ve listed a brief job description/about the company:

1. The firm is a registered investment advisory firm and provider of investment portfolio and practice management solutions to financial advisors… They provide portfolio management services to individuals, institutions, and retirment plans. The firm specializes in offering marketing, branding, technological and operational support to a network of investment advisors.`

According to what I can find in filings they have about 6.5 billion in AUM and approximately 80 employees.

The research division is 8 people: One consultant, two managers, and 5 young professionals (26-35) that have all passed at least CFA Level 2.

Job Description:

Provide support as required to Research team

• Administer and help improve systematized processes for creation and updating of marketing pieces • Develop expertise in the creation of portfolio reviews, which compare the firms investments with alternative investment solutions based on a variety of Modern Portfolio Theory metrics • Provide oversight of research interns • Contribute to qualitative responses to advisor requests • Generate necessary data for responses to advisor requests • Maintain database of research created documents and procedures for their creation • Aggregate data and generation of portfolio returns, standard deviations and other investment risk and return measurements • Generate necessary data for internal and external due diligence requirements • Maintenance of research’s software (e.g., Zephyr, @Risk)

Below I’ve listed the factors about my new job that make me hesitant to accept the opportunity:

1. My current employer pays to send me to get my MBA. I attend a top 20 University (UNC - Kenan Flagler Business school) called MBA@UNC. It’s delivered via asynchronous and synchronous online lectures, as well as quartetly immersions held at various locations around the world. The monetary value of this benefit is $25,000 a year. I’ll have to likely give this up as I cannot afford it on my own.

I’ve passed CFA Level 1 this past June. I’m confident I can passs CFA Level 2 next June (already started studying). Once I pass Level 2 I may get more lucrative opportunities. My current employer also has good work/life balance giving me plenty of time to study.

I’m not sure the proposed job is the ideal first step for my career path.

I’ve had some experience with “Investment Advisor” roles through insurance companies. They sounded a lot like glorified sales jobs, kind of boiler-room-esque, so I’m a little skeptical. Although this does seem like a different kind of role/firm.

During my interviews it was made clear I’d spend a good portion of time workin with the marketing and sales department.

The firm follows a Fama-French investment philosophy. I’m not sure how this passive investment style would impact my ability to transition to active manageent firms in the future.

Do you guys have any advice for a fellow like me? Should I hold out in my current job for a better opportunity, or is this a rare chance to get my foot onto the right career path.

Wendy · February 21, 2015, 5:23pm

You should’ve kept the job where they were reimbursing your $25,000/yr education expenses. Knucklehead.