<p>Hello everyone. I recently graduated with an average gpa from UCLA with a degree in economics. I have been working in marketing for 6 months now and would like to get a job in finance. I am really having a hard time figuring out what is the best plan of action. An MBA from a good school would be difficult because of my lack of work experience. I considered a masters in finance or economics but the math requirements are very high. I would likely have to go back to community college and take CALC l, ll,lll, linear algebra, differential equations, and some basic C++ programing classes as prerequisites. I'm not opposed to this route but it seems like it would take a very long time and by then I could just get an MBA. A CFA doesnt work because I have no work experience. What do you guys think is the best route to take?</p>
<p>You should ask this in the Parents Forum.</p>
<p>If I were you I would absolutely not get an MBA. It puts the best finance jobs out of reach (I know it makes no sense but its true). For some reason Banks and PE/ Hedge Funds hold the first 2-3 years of analyst banking after undergrad as worth its weight in gold, being a career changer with an MBA makes it so basically you can never work at a hedge fund or PE firm. </p>
<p>If I were you I’d figure out a way to weasel my way back into UCLA’s undergraduate (more BA classes) or masters in finance/ econ corporate recruiting so you can get an analyst job at the end of it. Its been done before. I had a friend work as a paralegal for a year before re-entering corporate recruiting a year later. It worked for him. </p>
<p>My biggest advice is aim for an analyst position at a bank. The longterm payoff vs. an MBA is far greater in banking/ high finance. this is also why, for anyone choosing this career path, going to a feeder school is so critical. An MBA is only a path to being a long-term banker, not getting into PE/ Hedge Funds/ Trading, which are the more fun and lucrative areas of finance.</p>