This video weirdly got me. It made me realize why I flunked Level 1. It's because of my lazy attitude towards my work. Thanks Mark for opening my eyes.
Hi Mark. I am 60. Used to be Full-time Day Trader 2017-19. I joined CFA (your L1 course) for knowledge not for passing exam. Yes you are right each page of course is applied in the real world market. Proud of you.
This hit me because i really want a career in finance but i realized that i haven't put in the effort that i need to get better, probably because of the thought that i always got by in school and i want to get rid of that mindset in my career. thank you, Dr. Mark!
I personally started the CFA Program after finishing my Master's in Finance to better my profile. Initially I thought it was just passing three exams, but it has actually been an incredible learning experience. I haven't got a job in financial analysis, but the knowledge brought on by the CFA Program has definitely made me stand out far above my peers.
Thank you, Mark, I couldn't agree with you more. I am on level 2 now, the more I learn, the more I like it, i don;t feel i am wasting my time, CFA has broaden my horizons and indeed i have learned a lot
Absolutely agree. As I study the various topics of L2,I can see how it all applies to the real world. I read any article in a financial newspaper, I truly understand it now.
This is so very true. I spent my undergrad just getting by and I absolutely regret how I wasted my time and potential because it did show on my first interview that I was barely getting by. Accounting and finance is in my blood. I would’ve excelled had I realised my potential and now I’m self studying to correct that. Be excellent in everything. Escape mediocrity.
@@nuntissonne3943 not currently but I plan to go to grade school next year and maybe register for the CFA level 1 exam in November. Do you also plan to go back to school?
@@iambloopy I just finished my BSc with a very low GPA, now I want to start a MSc in September/October but my options aren't very good because I didn't meet the admission requirements of the best grad schools. I think I will do my MSc in a non-target university just to fix my very low GPA even if the prospects aren't very good. But I'm italian though, so my situation could be different from yours. I also want to do my CFA lvl 1 in november and I'm using MM material
@@nuntissonne3943 congratulations on finishing your bachelors and I’m proud of you! Someone told me that after you get your foot in, it’s no longer about your GPA. Let’s focus on fixing our GPAs + CFA so we can get our feet in the door and build relationships. I’m wishing you the best on your MSc and level 1 exam!
Sr, Im somebody from Angola\Africa who just got interested on CFA, from what you just explain here, you dont know much you changed my life with your comments about everything. thank you so much Sr!!!
Regardless if you pass or not, the CFA is a terrific learning experience. You will definitely learn and be so much more knowledgeable about the content from Day 1 onward. It’s a matter of effort and having passion for the content.
Thank You Sir! Words to live by...not only for CFA but for every aspect of your life! I already crushed all 3 levels and got my designation and I still find things to learn from you every day!
I’m a CPA with a masters in accounting and was blown away by the quality of the CFA exam. I somehow started doing securities litigation consulting at work and everything on the exam has been incredibly useful for that work. The quality of the content the CFA tests is absolutely light years ahead of the CPA exam. For the CPA maybe 20% of the information tested was applicable in practice and it was very obvious when studying (memorizing the audit report language is a great example, no one should ever write an audit report from memory) whereas the CFA is so practical it’s actually exciting. They are the gold standard for professional exams in my mind, actually learning your job while doing the exam should be the entire point and a lot of other designations fail to recognize that.
You nailed my attitude in b school when you mentioned the 'just getting by'part. And i did moan that the degree didn't get me a great job. But in retrospect, it got me a good job that exposed me to the financial world which kind of has me taking the initial steps towards a CFA. Most CFA videos are people telling others not to do it, so I'm glad i watched this, and it's inspired me even more to do it differently for the CFA prep.
you are a wonderful person Dr. Meldrum you dont just teach students about knowledge but you teach them why they need to study and how they can pursue better lives
I like this guy. I'm 20 years old (not eligible to do the exams) and I'm studying CFA like mad because I see the real power in the knowledge. Happy to see someone that confirms my thoughts on real word application!
It took to me 4 years to get the job I wanted. The CFA program was enlightening and even if I managed to get the job I'm doing now I wouldn't have been able to keep it without it. I made sacrifices and I had to suffer during the path. Who doesnt go through this just can't understand.
Thanks Mark! I’m an undergraduate student and i have found in the CFA material every topic i wanted to learn more, even if i pass the exams or not i am 100% sure that this is worth it
"If that doesn't light your fire - DO. SOMETHING. ELSE." This really speaks to me, not in pushing me away but in DRAWING ME TO the CFA program. I am a fairly successful 29-yo mechanical engineer by education and profession, making a cushy living...but I never liked engineering (father and grandfather are engineers). Realised that in me free time, all I ever read about is finance. Took Level I exam Dec 2018 and knocked it out of the park. Now I'm on to Level II writing in December 2020 and, as bizarre as it may sound, I love every page I read in the BOK. I am pursuing the CFA title as the ultimate certification in the industry that I want to be a part of. (And honestly these quarantines have been the best possible blessing for my studies.) I can't wait to keep learning. Most importantly, thanks Mark for what you offer and especially for always being there to answer my questions on your lecture and EOCQ videos, you make this all possible for me.
Oetti, I am a 23 yr old mechanical engineer. I resonate a lot with what you said. I love engineering, and my father and uncles were all engineers as well. I’ve had friends in college who were finance majors. With the crisis effecting my senior year and job market it opened my eyes and I realized I am really interested in how the markets work. I have been reading finance books in my spare time and have been really thinking about commuting to the CFA Program because it will only broaden my knowledge. What was it like transition from engineering to finance?
I have had my charter since 1998. I have had the privilege of working in institutional money management, as well as alternative assets and private wealth management. The CFA provided me a base on which I could succeed in each of these areas of finance. I now own my my own firm-the only female CFA with an RIA in Dallas/Fort Worth. The CFA has assisted me in providing strong long- term returns. .I am very proud of my charter. However, I feel that CFA Institute has created part of the current issue of below-average scores. (Note: Up until the Pandemic, I taught the CFA for ten years. (Level One and Level Three) I also taught at UT Dallas for four years. My empathy is high.). Mark makes a lot of sense. If you don't have the passion for Finance-don't even waste your time sitting for the CFA. It's going to be a long, long slog through all three levels.
Dr Mark with the straight talk! Thanks for continuing to be genuine and not just pumping the CFA charter like other prep firms. This was a detailed and thoughtful answer. Hell, I even came out of it with a greater appreciation for my undergraduate degree.
thanks for the wake up call sir, it's less about the knowledge on the textbook but rather how much effort am I putting in to make this work in what I want to do. I should be putting 100% on the effort, applying and learning.
I was working as a quant before I started my CFA journey, I never thought CFA is absolutely necessary for me. I used IFT for level 1 and MM for level 2 and 3. If someone asks me recommendations for prep providers I say IFT is better for passing the exam but MM is better if you want an instructor who knows what he's talking about. CFA is useful even if I am not working in finance. I used to follow macro and my investments were returning 10-15% YOY, this year even though I am 80% cash my 20% invested portfolio has more than doubled ytd because I can implement my views through options without gambling. Besides it got me a promotion. The ROI on CFA is damn high if you do it for learning.
mukarusa nya “MM” is the guy speaking in the Video. His name is Mark Meldrum and he has an online CFA course you can subscribe to. He teaches you the material. Examples of his teaching is on the same RUclips channel as this. “IFT” stands for “Irfanulla” that is the name of another teacher who has a course online. These courses are called “providers” there are many online. They help you learn and prepare for the exam . I personally use “FinTree”. I think it’s the best package overall. MM and FinTree are the best I Feel in terms of helping you learn. You can check out FinTree’s classes on RUclips too. It’s all depends on personal preference.
hello, I wonder if I can only read fundamental analysis books like Security analysis and intelligent investor to have good return in investment. Is it possible without taking CFA? or CFA has something that the book doesnt have?
I am one of your students, and I so proud to say it. Each day I learn something so valuable for life. Today's lesson, " If you just get by your exams, you will be getting by the rest of your life." Thank you so much for enlighting us with your wisdom.
Honestly I'm treating the CFA as a means to give me knowledge on the rules by which our world works, not sure if I want to work in "Finance" particularly but feel the skills will help me.
Gotta say this video hit me pretty hard. Really making me question whether I made the right choice or not by entering this program. Why I say that is because when you asked whether whatever is going on in the market intrigues you, my answer was no. I mean I like finance to an extent, and I enjoy watching your videos, but simply do not have a passion towards it. When I see you, I can feel the passion coming out of my phone screen. I tried developing that passion by reading the newspaper, looking out for finance journals etc. but simply could not finish reading. I just feel that it is so because I currently do not have any real life relatability to it. My current work has got very little to do with what I'm preparing for. I usually develop an interest when I am hands-on into whatever I'm doing rather than seeing at from a distance. After watching your video, I'm just starting to get the feeling that I'm forcing myself to like something which I'm not really into. But then again, as I said, what if I start developing the passion if I get into a job that is related to this. Now taking up the exam, I'm now starting to feel guilty that I might be one of the people who just see it as an exam and not as a way of learning. But honestly I'm not that kind of person, who views exams as just exams. I guess somewhere along the way, I got intimidated by the sheer vastness in the content that I'm not really sure which theory needs to be applied in which situation. But whatever it is, if in the end I do develop that passion it will in most part be due to you, and I will forever appreciate you for it, even if it doesn't happen, I would still appreciate you for making me like something which I'm not interested in, and making me believe for a small point of time that I could take this up as a career and be happy. I still remember the first time I stumbled upon your Level 1 videos. I was just blown away by your vibrant enthusiasm while explaining the content, I was just so happy that I could actually like something and take it up as a career. And for that initial feeling of euphoria I will forever be grateful to you Prof. Keep up the good work and continue inspiring people.
Oh my god!! I can relate to you ALL THE WAY!!! I personally got interested in learning more about CFA simply because I see it popping up so frequently on jobs I wanted to apply as a bonus. And also simply because I just graduated from college with a degree in business and wanted to learn more and in depth of this huge subject called business. But kind of like you, I got a little intimidated seeing the amount of knowledge there are to learn and also the passion level that seems impossible to match up to. I mean, I love to study and learn more about the "business field" or "finance" but I am just not sure if I'll end up thinking my time were well spent and ended up falling in love with it, or just thinking that I did it and just to do it. While pouring time and efforts into something that I might not even be "that" interested / passionate about.
Dr. Mark I come back to this video every few months to remind myself why I love this game. I'm only 19 and; money or no money; I vow to dedicate the rest of my life to Finance. Thank you sir.
This is the best motivation video. I was misunderstanding my goal just pursuing CFA instead applying those theories and knowledges to my future career. Thanks
One of my professors brought in a pilot one day and we played on the flight simulator trying to land the same planes the pilot would land, usually a Boeing 777, we all failed n crashed yet the pilot did everything in such a smooth n timely manner calling out all his moves. Our professor asked how many hours he had flying and with his age I wasn’t surprised it had hit 15,000+ hrs. No wonder he did it all so good, you can’t rush this process or else you’ll crash.
Woow thank you MM.. CFA is my second chance to run for my career. Got my undergraduate degree but wasn't proud of the grades. CFA is a second chance to go after my dreams .It's all about "learn and apply!" Then that's how the passion for finance and investment comes to life.
Sir, I just stumbled on your video in a CMA FB group..Your realism is off the charts..few experienced people give this advice which is very needed given the brutality of the professional world..Yesterday I've passed the CFA investment foundations exam..I know it's a free basic exam but I 'm proud that I got it as I'm from a country called Tunisia were it's hard to get the necessary ressources to reach the international level. I've subscribed to your channel as I'm looking for mentorship to guide me through. Thank you.
I totally agree with you. I did just enough to get by and didn't really appreciate my econ/finance major. Now that I am 38, I have discovered a whole new passion for the economy and finance and am now considering studying for my CFA to get a job in the sector and learn how to invest on my own. I just hope it isn't too late. Thanks for sharing!
Yo.. I had an interview at a hedge fund and this dude reminds of the hedge fund manager... He asked me about my thoughts on the current Fed's position on interest rates, asked me about inflation and whole load of real world questions to see if I was really about it lol.. Good ass advice! Thank you!!
Mark I have to applaud you for being honest! And I hope people that are considering this field are really listening. This is not a get by title, nor journey. You really have to be passionate about it because it does take over and it’s extremely valuable information!
I have recently passed level II. I completely agree with what you said, and I am re-reading some of the level II curriculum again, simply fascinated by the knowledge and concept.
Wow! I am in awe with what you said. I am not in finance but I am considering to do my CFA however was finding it difficult to wrap my mind around the whole process. You have just shaken my world, wow!
Thank You for that fantastic video.Probably the best so far covering that aspect of the journey called CFA. In general, thats why i dont watch or read anything related to “Is CFA designation worth it?” or “How i can get L1 exam for 1 month?” .They are all the same.You explained brilliantly. Ive developed my strategy and dont want to bother spending time confusing myself For me personally its well worth it.Even that i do not got an economic or a finance background.Ive just love it. I can feel even how my brain changed working after Quantitative Methods section.I love that section,honestly. The only problem i got is that i do not know how to apply in real life some of the concepts,but i know it will take time and revising and ill get to understand them. Once again,Mr Meldrum Thank You for the great video and thank you for all the effort you put down for us!
I’d like to give an interesting experience I’ve had about a year ago to shed some more light into this. I was attending a networking event, and had the chance to meet two people (in IB) who were CFA charterholders. I asked both if the CFA was worth it. One gave a reply similar to Mark, and explained how it helped him leverage himself and stand out from the crowd, thus securing a job at the firm. The other person said that he thinks in retrospect that it wasn’t worth his effort, despite the fact that at the time, he was also given the chance to complete the 2nd and 3rd levels (all paid) while working, thus possibly helping him leverage his abilities and stand out from the crowd as a hard working dedicated person. So in conclusion, I believe its as useful as we make it to be. The potential is there and it is up to us to make the most out of it.
OMG YOU ARE THE BAE MARK! SO SO SO INSPRIING! NOT KIDDING! You are the king, the queen, the prince, the princess, the mentor, the friend, the teacher! I love your attitude and your spirit! You are spot on everything!
To be honest, I just thought there'd be an old man knowing nothing about today's times and giving shitty advice but listening to you seemed so clear and just loved the way you articulate your thoughts
Brilliant, no one has said it so well on why you should or should not go for the course. Makes you rethink the reason why you want to do this. Very encouraging. thank you mark!
Thank you Prof for this piece of advice, you have given me more energy. I'm currently working in a government department that specializes in mining industry development. I decided to form my Mining Investment Advisory Company and for your own information, i'm using the CFA curriculum as my rule book. This makes studying CFA more interesting, studying to find answers.
Sooooo true! Being "book smart" is so not enough to nail it in this field. It is always about your experiences and how they shaped you as a person with a personality. When I worked at career center during my undergrad, I got to ask lots of questions like "Is networking useful?", there is not such a thing as USEFUL in the professional world, it does not guarantee! You gotta do the work and change you mindset. ：）
Not sure why this came up in my feed - don't know the channel but I got the charter 10 years ago, which at the time was 5 years into my now 15 year career. The knowledge I acquired through that rigorous training gave me the most solid foundation that stands to this day. Don't get me wrong, there are many great industry professionals who have done great without it, but I've always felt it has given me an edge that has lasted until today. Only point I'd make is that obtaining the CFA makes you far from the finished article. I've met quite a few CFA charterholders that are clueless about markets. This has to come from within like the guy in the channel is talking about, you need to be passionate, follow and learn every day. Nobody can teach you that.
I chanced upon this CFA course when i was reading Ben Graham's Security Analysis as Graham was the founding father of this FA profession. I started to read CFA Level 1 coursework and it does provide a really good guide map to apply in stock investing, especially on analyzing companies. But some of the ideas on CAPM and beta concept, I don't quite believe in it, as the EMH theory is just a theory, else Buffett won't be as rich as he is! I think it is a very important point that the charter name itself doesn't help you much, it all depends on how passionate you are in pursuing the application of the knowledge from CFA to your field of work. I'm and engineer but I'm always intrigue by the stock market and I have been applying Buffett's methods learnt from his chairman's letter to shareholder and this CFA is providing a really solid foundation to understanding Buffett's thinking. All in all, I think it is a lot of fun deciphering this stock market game!
Cannot agree more. Esp for equity and portfolio management sections there are around 60 percent content are just theoretical which you cannot quite rely on given current market situations i.e. negative interests
When I feel any sort of hopelessness, I revert back to this vital reminder. My dream is to do phD in finance to lecture. I am only doing CFA to get more practical tools in my hands. Professor, your videos are too crucial for my aspiring dream. Thank you!
Thankyou for this video, Mark. I had a burning desire to learn finance and I left a good engineering college to pursue finance when I discovered this was it for me. I got in engineering because of parents. People criticised me for the move but I graduated university with top grades and now applied for level 1 just because of the desire to learn. Thanks Mark for assuring me!
Dr. Meldrum, (if time permits) it'll be great to see/hear how you apply the impacts of this crisis (what we already know, the day to day and any expectations you might have) into your sector analysis. I believe that understanding why sectors are performing the way they're performing during these difficult times is a unique opportunity for us analyst to exercise what we study or practice. Awesome video! Thanks for remind us why we are here.
I was having a similar question. Dr. Meldrum - current market situation is an amazing opportunity to apply the knowledge. If you are willing to it would be great to hear your perspective and perhaps examples.
This is such a nice coincidence! I just started my channel during the Covid-19 and did a video on the same topic! Probably why RUclips suggested this video to me :) Taking this chance, I would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH Dr Mark and hope you are keeping well. I wouldn't have got my charter last year without you. I did some contents in Level 2 and 3 with your videos and they were awesome (I much preferred them to some mandarin videos i had before, despite being a native speaker in mandarin). It is not just your teaching - I definitely learned more. For anyone who is looking for a exam prep provider, you have REALLY got the best one here!
You're my IDOL sir. You don't just teach, you make a person become an expert. Thank you sir :) Each word of yours give me goosebumps. You are just WOW......
Thanks Mark for the words. I am definitely passionate about this thing just like you said. I was just about to sleep after practicing python for finance and data analysis but I got so pumped by your words that I guess I am going to practice an hour more. Hehe thank you sir.
Great video. I don't really know if this will make any difference for my career, but I looked the topics and it's basically everything I'm interested. Going for it.
Thank you very much for your video, Mark. I would not have passed Level 3 without your QBank and instant replies. I don't know if my motivation matches your criteria, but my motivation to go through the program was spite. Job interviewing and networking are two things that I struggle with and I was constantly rejected for even entry-level jobs in finance, so I want to get the charter to prove that I belonged in the industry because I have a real knack for it (especially for analyzing financial results). Again, thank you for helping all of us get through this challenging program.
Hi Mark, thanks for making the video. My level 1 exam is about 3 month away and I am almost done with going through the learning objectives. What you talked about in the video provided me with a very important lesson, I have been trying to cruise through the entire level 1 by studying as minimally as I could as I already had a degree in finance. I was interested to pass the exam and the knowledge that went along with it in level 1, not so much I guess. I intend to look at all the content again in a new light by focusing on how can I not memorize the contents and how is it applied in real life. Thank you once again for taking the time to make this video. It is such a important wake up call for me. Cheers!
"if that does not light your fire, do something else". Pure gold from Dr Mark
he should be known as Dr. Dark :)
Is he a PhD?
You're helping me to become a better man not only a finance professional. Thanks a lot Mark!
"not only a finance professional" --> totally agree on that.
This 18 minutes is more encouraging, enlightening, guiding, motivating and inspiring than every so called motivation speakers out there.
This video weirdly got me. It made me realize why I flunked Level 1. It's because of my lazy attitude towards my work. Thanks Mark for opening my eyes.
Ali Reza learning from mistakes is never a bad thing!
@StonkSlayd LOOOOOL
Hi Mark. I am 60. Used to be Full-time Day Trader 2017-19. I joined CFA (your L1 course) for knowledge not for passing exam. Yes you are right each page of course is applied in the real world market.
Proud of you.
Well done!
Well done, keep going! Knowledge is a great motivation for life.
This hit me because i really want a career in finance but i realized that i haven't put in the effort that i need to get better, probably because of the thought that i always got by in school and i want to get rid of that mindset in my career. thank you, Dr. Mark!
"If you think learning starts on the job, then you're wrong."
Well said Sir.
Whether or not you care about the CFA, every student can apply Mark's life lessons here to whatever career they are pursuing.
I personally started the CFA Program after finishing my Master's in Finance to better my profile. Initially I thought it was just passing three exams, but it has actually been an incredible learning experience. I haven't got a job in financial analysis, but the knowledge brought on by the CFA Program has definitely made me stand out far above my peers.
Did you got any job in finance in this 2 years?
RUclips is so cool. We’re receiving some awesome wisdom and guidance from the previous generation. Appreciate it.
Thank you, Mark, I couldn't agree with you more. I am on level 2 now, the more I learn, the more I like it, i don;t feel i am wasting my time, CFA has broaden my horizons and indeed i have learned a lot
I'm on the same boat as you. Wish you luck!
thats how i felt preparing level 1
Absolutely agree. As I study the various topics of L2,I can see how it all applies to the real world. I read any article in a financial newspaper, I truly understand it now.
Level III is the best, ties it all together nicely
Hi all. Awaiting update of ur progress thnx
This is so very true. I spent my undergrad just getting by and I absolutely regret how I wasted my time and potential because it did show on my first interview that I was barely getting by. Accounting and finance is in my blood. I would’ve excelled had I realised my potential and now I’m self studying to correct that. Be excellent in everything. Escape mediocrity.
Did you go to grade school? I also spent my undergrad just getting by
@@nuntissonne3943 not currently but I plan to go to grade school next year and maybe register for the CFA level 1 exam in November. Do you also plan to go back to school?
@@iambloopy I just finished my BSc with a very low GPA, now I want to start a MSc in September/October but my options aren't very good because I didn't meet the admission requirements of the best grad schools. I think I will do my MSc in a non-target university just to fix my very low GPA even if the prospects aren't very good. But I'm italian though, so my situation could be different from yours. I also want to do my CFA lvl 1 in november and I'm using MM material
@@nuntissonne3943 congratulations on finishing your bachelors and I’m proud of you! Someone told me that after you get your foot in, it’s no longer about your GPA. Let’s focus on fixing our GPAs + CFA so we can get our feet in the door and build relationships. I’m wishing you the best on your MSc and level 1 exam!
How'd it go guys? I'm sitting may 24 lv1
Sr, Im somebody from Angola\Africa who just got interested on CFA, from what you just explain here, you dont know much you changed my life with your comments about everything. thank you so much Sr!!!
Regardless if you pass or not, the CFA is a terrific learning experience. You will definitely learn and be so much more knowledgeable about the content from Day 1 onward. It’s a matter of effort and having passion for the content.
Thank You Sir! Words to live by...not only for CFA but for every aspect of your life! I already crushed all 3 levels and got my designation and I still find things to learn from you every day!
This is exactly what makes me loves this man. Thank you, Sir.
no nonsense teachers are the best.. He is what most schools are missing
These sound like the words that every son and daughter should listen to from their father.. Brilliant!
One of the best and most honest videos I’ve seen about the CFA and about life in general. Thanks, mate!
Mark Meldrum is an absolute legend. He makes learning so much more enjoyable. Such a good teacher
Agreed! I'm sitting for L1 in November and his program is awesome!
Thank you so much sir! Normally, I speed your videos up at 1.5 but for this one I kept the speed at normal so that I could hear every word clearly!
Thank you Mark you have opened my eyes and mind. Thank you being here and mentoring us.
At last the expert speaks about the most searched question for CFA candidates. Thanks a lot Mark.
I’m a CPA with a masters in accounting and was blown away by the quality of the CFA exam. I somehow started doing securities litigation consulting at work and everything on the exam has been incredibly useful for that work.
The quality of the content the CFA tests is absolutely light years ahead of the CPA exam. For the CPA maybe 20% of the information tested was applicable in practice and it was very obvious when studying (memorizing the audit report language is a great example, no one should ever write an audit report from memory) whereas the CFA is so practical it’s actually exciting. They are the gold standard for professional exams in my mind, actually learning your job while doing the exam should be the entire point and a lot of other designations fail to recognize that.
This is some real talk. We’re lucky to have Mark in the CFA community, sharing his wisdom with us all.
You nailed my attitude in b school when you mentioned the 'just getting by'part. And i did moan that the degree didn't get me a great job. But in retrospect, it got me a good job that exposed me to the financial world which kind of has me taking the initial steps towards a CFA.
Most CFA videos are people telling others not to do it, so I'm glad i watched this, and it's inspired me even more to do it differently for the CFA prep.
I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this video. This applies not only to the field of finance, but every field that exist.
So this guy literally was scolding me.
Thanks man, seems like I badly needed that.
Professor Mark, You are a genius and master of human psychology. Food for thought. Thanks a lot.
you are a wonderful person Dr. Meldrum
you dont just teach students about knowledge but you teach them why they need to study and how they can pursue better lives
I like this guy. I'm 20 years old (not eligible to do the exams) and I'm studying CFA like mad because I see the real power in the knowledge.
Happy to see someone that confirms my thoughts on real word application!
It took to me 4 years to get the job I wanted. The CFA program was enlightening and even if I managed to get the job I'm doing now I wouldn't have been able to keep it without it. I made sacrifices and I had to suffer during the path. Who doesnt go through this just can't understand.
Mr. Meldrum you are amazing. Great Mentor. Greetings from Chile.
Also watching from Chile 😅 taking my level 1 in about 30 days! A darle con todo por chilito!!!
thanks so much, Mark. your words are worthy too for those who are considering taking the CFA.
Thanks Mark! I’m an undergraduate student and i have found in the CFA material every topic i wanted to learn more, even if i pass the exams or not i am 100% sure that this is worth it
"If that doesn't light your fire - DO. SOMETHING. ELSE." This really speaks to me, not in pushing me away but in DRAWING ME TO the CFA program. I am a fairly successful 29-yo mechanical engineer by education and profession, making a cushy living...but I never liked engineering (father and grandfather are engineers). Realised that in me free time, all I ever read about is finance. Took Level I exam Dec 2018 and knocked it out of the park. Now I'm on to Level II writing in December 2020 and, as bizarre as it may sound, I love every page I read in the BOK. I am pursuing the CFA title as the ultimate certification in the industry that I want to be a part of. (And honestly these quarantines have been the best possible blessing for my studies.) I can't wait to keep learning. Most importantly, thanks Mark for what you offer and especially for always being there to answer my questions on your lecture and EOCQ videos, you make this all possible for me.
Can we write level 2 in December? Isn't that only for June cycles?
I just checked. June 2020 deadlines have been delayed to December. Can we still register for it still?
Oetti, I am a 23 yr old mechanical engineer. I resonate a lot with what you said. I love engineering, and my father and uncles were all engineers as well. I’ve had friends in college who were finance majors. With the crisis effecting my senior year and job market it opened my eyes and I realized I am really interested in how the markets work. I have been reading finance books in my spare time and have been really thinking about commuting to the CFA Program because it will only broaden my knowledge. What was it like transition from engineering to finance?
I have had my charter since 1998. I have had the privilege of working in institutional money management, as well as alternative assets and private wealth management. The CFA provided me a base on which I could succeed in each of these areas of finance. I now own my my own firm-the only female CFA with an RIA in Dallas/Fort Worth. The CFA has assisted me in providing strong long- term returns. .I am very proud of my charter. However, I feel that CFA Institute has created part of the current issue of below-average scores. (Note: Up until the Pandemic, I taught the CFA for ten years. (Level One and Level Three) I also taught at UT Dallas for four years. My empathy is high.). Mark makes a lot of sense. If you don't have the passion for Finance-don't even waste your time sitting for the CFA. It's going to be a long, long slog through all three levels.
Dr Mark with the straight talk! Thanks for continuing to be genuine and not just pumping the CFA charter like other prep firms. This was a detailed and thoughtful answer. Hell, I even came out of it with a greater appreciation for my undergraduate degree.
You are a great man Sir.
We need men like you to mentor and tell us the truth.
thanks for the wake up call sir, it's less about the knowledge on the textbook but rather how much effort am I putting in to make this work in what I want to do. I should be putting 100% on the effort, applying and learning.
I was working as a quant before I started my CFA journey, I never thought CFA is absolutely necessary for me. I used IFT for level 1 and MM for level 2 and 3. If someone asks me recommendations for prep providers I say IFT is better for passing the exam but MM is better if you want an instructor who knows what he's talking about. CFA is useful even if I am not working in finance. I used to follow macro and my investments were returning 10-15% YOY, this year even though I am 80% cash my 20% invested portfolio has more than doubled ytd because I can implement my views through options without gambling. Besides it got me a promotion. The ROI on CFA is damn high if you do it for learning.
Question IFT & MM...Please, what do they stand for?
mukarusa nya “MM” is the guy speaking in the Video. His name is Mark Meldrum and he has an online CFA course you can subscribe to. He teaches you the material. Examples of his teaching is on the same RUclips channel as this. “IFT” stands for “Irfanulla” that is the name of another teacher who has a course online. These courses are called “providers” there are many online. They help you learn and prepare for the exam . I personally use “FinTree”. I think it’s the best package overall. MM and FinTree are the best I Feel in terms of helping you learn. You can check out FinTree’s classes on RUclips too. It’s all depends on personal preference.
hello, I wonder if I can only read fundamental analysis books like Security analysis and intelligent investor to have good return in investment. Is it possible without taking CFA? or CFA has something that the book doesnt have?
@@popkahchin I get the point of reading! BUT one needs reinforcement and that comes with practice! Thus the exam
This video never gets old. Thank you a lot mark
Profesor, more tan a teacher you a re such a great mentor, thanks for your inspiring words!
I am one of your students, and I so proud to say it. Each day I learn something so valuable for life. Today's lesson, " If you just get by your exams, you will be getting by the rest of your life."
Thank you so much for enlighting us with your wisdom.
Honestly I'm treating the CFA as a means to give me knowledge on the rules by which our world works, not sure if I want to work in "Finance" particularly but feel the skills will help me.
Gotta say this video hit me pretty hard. Really making me question whether I made the right choice or not by entering this program. Why I say that is because when you asked whether whatever is going on in the market intrigues you, my answer was no. I mean I like finance to an extent, and I enjoy watching your videos, but simply do not have a passion towards it. When I see you, I can feel the passion coming out of my phone screen. I tried developing that passion by reading the newspaper, looking out for finance journals etc. but simply could not finish reading. I just feel that it is so because I currently do not have any real life relatability to it. My current work has got very little to do with what I'm preparing for. I usually develop an interest when I am hands-on into whatever I'm doing rather than seeing at from a distance.
After watching your video, I'm just starting to get the feeling that I'm forcing myself to like something which I'm not really into. But then again, as I said, what if I start developing the passion if I get into a job that is related to this.
Now taking up the exam, I'm now starting to feel guilty that I might be one of the people who just see it as an exam and not as a way of learning. But honestly I'm not that kind of person, who views exams as just exams. I guess somewhere along the way, I got intimidated by the sheer vastness in the content that I'm not really sure which theory needs to be applied in which situation.
But whatever it is, if in the end I do develop that passion it will in most part be due to you, and I will forever appreciate you for it, even if it doesn't happen, I would still appreciate you for making me like something which I'm not interested in, and making me believe for a small point of time that I could take this up as a career and be happy. I still remember the first time I stumbled upon your Level 1 videos. I was just blown away by your vibrant enthusiasm while explaining the content, I was just so happy that I could actually like something and take it up as a career.
And for that initial feeling of euphoria I will forever be grateful to you Prof.
Keep up the good work and continue inspiring people.
Oh my god!! I can relate to you ALL THE WAY!!! I personally got interested in learning more about CFA simply because I see it popping up so frequently on jobs I wanted to apply as a bonus. And also simply because I just graduated from college with a degree in business and wanted to learn more and in depth of this huge subject called business.
But kind of like you, I got a little intimidated seeing the amount of knowledge there are to learn and also the passion level that seems impossible to match up to. I mean, I love to study and learn more about the "business field" or "finance" but I am just not sure if I'll end up thinking my time were well spent and ended up falling in love with it, or just thinking that I did it and just to do it. While pouring time and efforts into something that I might not even be "that" interested / passionate about.
Clicked the video for one thing found something far more valuable than the answer to the posed question. Thank you.
Dr. Mark I come back to this video every few months to remind myself why I love this game. I'm only 19 and; money or no money; I vow to dedicate the rest of my life to Finance. Thank you sir.
the way you speak is captivating and your points do make incredible sense! loved the video! thanks
This is the best motivation video. I was misunderstanding my goal just pursuing CFA instead applying those theories and knowledges to my future career. Thanks
I appreciate how passionate you are about this field. I wish i had a professor like you when i was a student.
The growth you're looking for, is in the work you're avoiding
One of my professors brought in a pilot one day and we played on the flight simulator trying to land the same planes the pilot would land, usually a Boeing 777, we all failed n crashed yet the pilot did everything in such a smooth n timely manner calling out all his moves. Our professor asked how many hours he had flying and with his age I wasn’t surprised it had hit 15,000+ hrs. No wonder he did it all so good, you can’t rush this process or else you’ll crash.
Woow thank you MM.. CFA is my second chance to run for my career.
Got my undergraduate degree but wasn't proud of the grades. CFA is a second chance to go after my dreams .It's all about "learn and apply!" Then that's how the passion for finance and investment comes to life.
Sir, I just stumbled on your video in a CMA FB group..Your realism is off the charts..few experienced people give this advice which is very needed given the brutality of the professional world..Yesterday I've passed the CFA investment foundations exam..I know it's a free basic exam but I 'm proud that I got it as I'm from a country called Tunisia were it's hard to get the necessary ressources to reach the international level. I've subscribed to your channel as I'm looking for mentorship to guide me through. Thank you.
WOW, the amount of information and education I got out of this is just amazing.
I totally agree with you. I did just enough to get by and didn't really appreciate my econ/finance major. Now that I am 38, I have discovered a whole new passion for the economy and finance and am now considering studying for my CFA to get a job in the sector and learn how to invest on my own. I just hope it isn't too late. Thanks for sharing!
"If your strategy is to get by, you may get by. But you will also spend the rest of your life just getting by."
This line really hit me hard.
Yo.. I had an interview at a hedge fund and this dude reminds of the hedge fund manager... He asked me about my thoughts on the current Fed's position on interest rates, asked me about inflation and whole load of real world questions to see if I was really about it lol.. Good ass advice! Thank you!!
Really appreciate your wisdom, Mark. It really moves me. Thanks, stay safe and healthy :-)
Mark I have to applaud you for being honest! And I hope people that are considering this field are really listening. This is not a get by title, nor journey. You really have to be passionate about it because it does take over and it’s extremely valuable information!
I have recently passed level II. I completely agree with what you said, and I am re-reading some of the level II curriculum again, simply fascinated by the knowledge and concept.
Wow! I am in awe with what you said. I am not in finance but I am considering to do my CFA however was finding it difficult to wrap my mind around the whole process. You have just shaken my world, wow!
Thank You for that fantastic video.Probably the best so far covering that aspect of the journey called CFA.
In general, thats why i dont watch or read anything related to “Is CFA designation worth it?” or “How i can get L1 exam for 1 month?” .They are all the same.You explained brilliantly.
Ive developed my strategy and dont want to bother spending time confusing myself
For me personally its well worth it.Even that i do not got an economic or a finance background.Ive just love it.
I can feel even how my brain changed working after Quantitative Methods section.I love that section,honestly.
The only problem i got is that i do not know how to apply in real life some of the concepts,but i know it will take time and revising and ill get to understand them.
Once again,Mr Meldrum
Thank You for the great video and thank you for all the effort you put down for us!
I’d like to give an interesting experience I’ve had about a year ago to shed some more light into this. I was attending a networking event, and had the chance to meet two people (in IB) who were CFA charterholders. I asked both if the CFA was worth it. One gave a reply similar to Mark, and explained how it helped him leverage himself and stand out from the crowd, thus securing a job at the firm. The other person said that he thinks in retrospect that it wasn’t worth his effort, despite the fact that at the time, he was also given the chance to complete the 2nd and 3rd levels (all paid) while working, thus possibly helping him leverage his abilities and stand out from the crowd as a hard working dedicated person. So in conclusion, I believe its as useful as we make it to be. The potential is there and it is up to us to make the most out of it.
OMG YOU ARE THE BAE MARK! SO SO SO INSPRIING! NOT KIDDING! You are the king, the queen, the prince, the princess, the mentor, the friend, the teacher! I love your attitude and your spirit! You are spot on everything!
To be honest, I just thought there'd be an old man knowing nothing about today's times and giving shitty advice but listening to you seemed so clear and just loved the way you articulate your thoughts
Brilliant, no one has said it so well on why you should or should not go for the course. Makes you rethink the reason why you want to do this. Very encouraging. thank you mark!
Mark Meldrum is like the grandpa from the intern. Thanks Mark for the timeless advice!
What should I say? You are humble and sagacious. Thank you!
Thanks Mark. Amazing. Blessed to watch this
Thanks to you, I understand I'm on the right track. Thank you, Mark
Thank you Sir for clearing it out.
I will take it as development of SKILL set, & not a as 3 tests to pass.
You nailed it! Now I realize why top firms want to hire those Straight A students. C+, B- prove the get-by mindset.
There's also reasons why A students work for C students 😊
@@Big_delta man that's such a story for motivational pages on Instagram. No firm hires C students. Watch any interview you want brother.
@@arsh286 working for a “firm” won’t make you rich brother. Take any salary minus taxes .. what does that leave you with ?
Thank you Prof for this piece of advice, you have given me more energy. I'm currently working in a government department that specializes in mining industry development. I decided to form my Mining Investment Advisory Company and for your own information, i'm using the CFA curriculum as my rule book. This makes studying CFA more interesting, studying to find answers.
Thank you a lot Mark. Very useful video. I would like to like this video many times just to show how it’s helpful.
Sooooo true! Being "book smart" is so not enough to nail it in this field. It is always about your experiences and how they shaped you as a person with a personality. When I worked at career center during my undergrad, I got to ask lots of questions like "Is networking useful?", there is not such a thing as USEFUL in the professional world, it does not guarantee! You gotta do the work and change you mindset. ：）
Not sure why this came up in my feed - don't know the channel but I got the charter 10 years ago, which at the time was 5 years into my now 15 year career. The knowledge I acquired through that rigorous training gave me the most solid foundation that stands to this day. Don't get me wrong, there are many great industry professionals who have done great without it, but I've always felt it has given me an edge that has lasted until today. Only point I'd make is that obtaining the CFA makes you far from the finished article. I've met quite a few CFA charterholders that are clueless about markets. This has to come from within like the guy in the channel is talking about, you need to be passionate, follow and learn every day. Nobody can teach you that.
Mark is an example for Great human and a person… you are the best
I chanced upon this CFA course when i was reading Ben Graham's Security Analysis as Graham was the founding father of this FA profession. I started to read CFA Level 1 coursework and it does provide a really good guide map to apply in stock investing, especially on analyzing companies. But some of the ideas on CAPM and beta concept, I don't quite believe in it, as the EMH theory is just a theory, else Buffett won't be as rich as he is!
I think it is a very important point that the charter name itself doesn't help you much, it all depends on how passionate you are in pursuing the application of the knowledge from CFA to your field of work. I'm and engineer but I'm always intrigue by the stock market and I have been applying Buffett's methods learnt from his chairman's letter to shareholder and this CFA is providing a really solid foundation to understanding Buffett's thinking.
All in all, I think it is a lot of fun deciphering this stock market game!
Cannot agree more. Esp for equity and portfolio management sections there are around 60 percent content are just theoretical which you cannot quite rely on given current market situations i.e. negative interests
When I feel any sort of hopelessness, I revert back to this vital reminder. My dream is to do phD in finance to lecture. I am only doing CFA to get more practical tools in my hands. Professor, your videos are too crucial for my aspiring dream. Thank you!
Thankyou for this video, Mark. I had a burning desire to learn finance and I left a good engineering college to pursue finance when I discovered this was it for me. I got in engineering because of parents. People criticised me for the move but I graduated university with top grades and now applied for level 1 just because of the desire to learn.
Thanks Mark for assuring me!
Dr. Meldrum, (if time permits) it'll be great to see/hear how you apply the impacts of this crisis (what we already know, the day to day and any expectations you might have) into your sector analysis. I believe that understanding why sectors are performing the way they're performing during these difficult times is a unique opportunity for us analyst to exercise what we study or practice.
Awesome video! Thanks for remind us why we are here.
I was having a similar question. Dr. Meldrum - current market situation is an amazing opportunity to apply the knowledge. If you are willing to it would be great to hear your perspective and perhaps examples.
Dr.Mark , Really your words are very great.
Dr Mark, you are just awesome. It couldn't get more motivational.
I feel reinvigorate listening to him. sooo true
This is such a nice coincidence! I just started my channel during the Covid-19 and did a video on the same topic! Probably why RUclips suggested this video to me :)
Taking this chance, I would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH Dr Mark and hope you are keeping well. I wouldn't have got my charter last year without you. I did some contents in Level 2 and 3 with your videos and they were awesome (I much preferred them to some mandarin videos i had before, despite being a native speaker in mandarin). It is not just your teaching - I definitely learned more.
For anyone who is looking for a exam prep provider, you have REALLY got the best one here!
Every new video of you makes me respect you more Mark. Thanks a lot, that gave me even more motivation.
Lots of great points here. Thanks for the perspective. I would have appreciated this advice 10 years ago.
Well Mark, your knowledge is gold. Thank you for sharing it!
You're my IDOL sir. You don't just teach, you make a person become an expert. Thank you sir :) Each word of yours give me goosebumps. You are just WOW......
Mr Mark you nailed it . Certainly eye opener for those 5% people .. couldn’t agree more with you ..
Every student in any field needs this video
Thanks Mark for the words. I am definitely passionate about this thing just like you said. I was just about to sleep after practicing python for finance and data analysis but I got so pumped by your words that I guess I am going to practice an hour more. Hehe thank you sir.
This video got me really fired up, thanks Professor Meldrum. I think it might even deserve a spot in your "Start Here" video section!
Great video. I don't really know if this will make any difference for my career, but I looked the topics and it's basically everything I'm interested. Going for it.
"if you don't have a burning passion for this, do something else" - I'm gonna hang this on my office
Thank you very much for your video, Mark. I would not have passed Level 3 without your QBank and instant replies. I don't know if my motivation matches your criteria, but my motivation to go through the program was spite. Job interviewing and networking are two things that I struggle with and I was constantly rejected for even entry-level jobs in finance, so I want to get the charter to prove that I belonged in the industry because I have a real knack for it (especially for analyzing financial results).
Again, thank you for helping all of us get through this challenging program.
This video is the best thing I watched in this lockdown
Thx Mark! I’m gonna mark your words when i pass level two in Dec. Almost tear off when hearing your speech..
Hi Mark, thanks for making the video. My level 1 exam is about 3 month away and I am almost done with going through the learning objectives. What you talked about in the video provided me with a very important lesson, I have been trying to cruise through the entire level 1 by studying as minimally as I could as I already had a degree in finance. I was interested to pass the exam and the knowledge that went along with it in level 1, not so much I guess. I intend to look at all the content again in a new light by focusing on how can I not memorize the contents and how is it applied in real life. Thank you once again for taking the time to make this video. It is such a important wake up call for me. Cheers!