QuoteOriginally posted by: khanghiHi,I am looking for your advice.I have background in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (MS). I am now an engineering manager at a large company with decent salary and a secured job. However, I am interested in finance and economics. So interested that I earned an MBA from one of the top business school, graduated top of class; the continued on a PhD program in economics, passed CFA level I and level II exams and just sit in the level III exam. Did that while still work full time to make a living for my two small children and very loving and supportive wife. I am pretty good at quantitative, stochastics, time series etc. I have passed all PhD qualification exams and have to decide the topic for dissertion. That dissertation will take 1-2 years and will decide the rest of my new career. I am asking you for advice.1. Should I leave my current engineering manager now and look for new job in September after my CFA Level III exam is out? (not 100% but I am confident of passing chance). I would still work on my PhD thesis on the new job. The pros is shortening the experience years required for CFA designation. The cons is applying for a job with the rest of PhD. My decision on PhD topic would be influenced on the kind of job I would get.2. If I stay on the same job and concentrate on dissertation, I need to decide on the topic. I have two possibilities. The first is renewable energy (wind/weather derivative pricing models etc.) and the second I would like to be in quantitative finance. I am not clear on the second, mostly because there not seems to be much left to do, but please let me know if I am wrong.3. Another factor is age. I am 39 now and would prefer not to take too big of a pay hit from 150K where I am at. I don't mind to work hard, as you can see and my mind is still very clear, but not sure of the hiring firms' perspective.I am at a crossroad and would really appreciate your advice.Hi I have read your posts.A few suggestions for you1.) First about making a move right now after L3 results.You are already making a 150k in a place I guess is less expensive than NY.I am not sure you make an equivalent amount in NY as an entry level analyst in the present market.What I am saying is don't count your chickens before they hatch.First clear CFA L3 and get a 200k job in NY, they only the problem arises.2.) Don't mean to attack you or anything but your english doesn't seem to me like someone who has spent 15 year in States.You need to ask yourself why your english is not upto the mark even after working for so long and getting such advanced degrees.There is some inherent weakness that you need to figure out.3.)Get a PhD in Quant Finance at least you will have the option of academics open.More QF has several areas of research.

Khanghi, I passed levels 1 and 2 of the CFA with about 90 hrs of studying for both combined, it isn't that hard. In fact if I remember correctly in the ethics one thing that is mentioned is that you are not supposed to imply passing all the tests first time has any bering on the quality of your investment analysis - you have not done that here, but the way you talk about it, it is getting dangerously close to that. I have a real PhD from a real math department in the US. From the people I know at various schools in econ, quant finance only the lousy theses had more than a single topic... most of the good ones had a single concentrated theme, with a few bells and whistles around it. A part time MBA program ranked 11-15 is not great, and if you don't have much savvy who cares if you have the capability to work super hard. The point is: In this economic environment (read the next 3 years) it will be super hard for you to get a job as a quant analyst, and virtually impossible as a fundamental analyst. This is forum is not about getting academic jobs, s your questions, and decisions show questionable judgement. If you had BOTHERED to read this forum before throwing your inane questions out here you should have had an inkling of what the responses would be like.Your English skills are so poor after 15 years (at least) in the US that I am not surprised by the level of your questions.By the way as a "full time" phd aren't you supposed to be teaching classes,grading exams or giving supervisions - or did they waive all that because of your obvious brilliance. By the way, I still believe that this Kack having us on.

QuoteOriginally posted by: MartingaleBusterI passed levels 1 and 2 of the CFA with about 90 hrs of studying for both combined, it isn't that hard. CFA Curriculum book over 3500 pages in small font in a large sized book for each level. CFA Notes - Scheweser 1200 pages.Lets say you studied for from scheweser.90 hours for both combined, 45 hours for each level.45*60/1200 = 2.25 min/page.Either you have a 4 year degree in finance/else you are an Oracle/ all those who studied 350 hours are mentally retarded fools.

QuoteOriginally posted by: MartingaleBusterI have a real PhD from a real math department in the US. From the people I know at various schools in econ, quant finance only the lousy theses had more than a single topic... most of the good ones had a single concentrated theme, with a few bells and whistles around it. By the way, I still believe that this Kack having us on.I don't think this is Kack in some other form. As far as thesis being on multiple topics, it is not necessarily lousy. Dissertation in US is equivalent to 3 papers (as you might know because you have a PhD).True that you loose some depth for breadth, but you end up working same number of hours. The literature review is usually a good portion of your research and choosing 3 topics would imply 3 times the work in this area. If someone is interested in taking job outside of academia, it would be better to diversify your dissertation topics.

Prasenjit, I'll admit it - I only botherered studying FSA, CorpFin, Ethics, and Equity Analysis - the only worthwhile parts I might add - in my opinion.It is very interesting Cryptic because this dude is precisely the sort of guy that Kack would tear into like a lion into a gazelle, and yet there is no sign of him... Coincidence? Maybe... Furthermore where is TwoFish? This is even more so the type of post that I would expect him to weigh in on and yet nothing... I think that TwoFish and Kack are actually the same twisted person and this is yet a different manifestation... Any opinions guys?

At least i am here. One suspect less...

Anthis your stock just went up +5% Hoooha!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by: MartingaleBusterPrasenjit, I'll admit it - I only botherered studying FSA, CorpFin, Ethics, and Equity Analysis - the only worthwhile parts I might add - in my opinion.It is very interesting Cryptic because this dude is precisely the sort of guy that Kack would tear into like a lion into a gazelle, and yet there is no sign of him... Coincidence? Maybe... Furthermore where is TwoFish? This is even more so the type of post that I would expect him to weigh in on and yet nothing... I think that TwoFish and Kack are actually the same twisted person and this is yet a different manifestation... Any opinions guys?I really had a good laugh (not being sarcastic) when you said that Kack and Twofish could be the same, especially because they never seem to agree on anything. Incidentally, kack has not replied to any other post and so I am doubtful if its him. The last I know he was looking for a job and might be either busy with the new job, relocating or mourning over the job loss. And twofish is usually extremely careful with his English. It would take a different kind of guy to write like the original poster. Edit: If you are however true, then I wonder what kind of twisted human being would the guy be. He would have the imagination of Charles Dickens to write and think like two different people and yet be so much alike. **********(The tale of two quants) ****************

Dude, if you try to do the dissertation on a part-time basis you will be the proud recipient of the very prestigious degree known as "ABD".

QuoteOriginally posted by: traderjoe1976Dude, if you try to do the dissertation on a part-time basis you will be the proud recipient of the very prestigious degree known as "ABD". a strong phd is like becoming a monk. to achieve true monk status, you have to meditate until you rise from the physical earth to merge with the spirits. trying to become a monk on a "part time" basis while you hold down a full time engineering job on the side is a joke. you will never find the time to meditate hard enough to merge with the mind of god. this is why they call phd fields "disciplines". you need full time discipline to achieve true phd level.

QuoteOriginally posted by: MartingaleBusterThis poster can't be real, it must be KackToodles who has registered a fake account and is f--king with us. Kack, I am calling you OUT!!! no, it's not kacks. Kacks would never pretend to be anybody with less than a phd from harvard.

QuoteOriginally posted by: deepvalueQuoteOriginally posted by: MartingaleBusterThis poster can't be real, it must be KackToodles who has registered a fake account and is f--king with us. Kack, I am calling you OUT!!! no, it's not kacks. Kacks would never pretend to be anybody with less than a phd from harvard. you are Kacks, as you are using beers to finish the sentence like Kacks , moreover your obsession with brand seals it.

QuoteOriginally posted by: deepvaluea strong phd is like becoming a monk. to achieve true monk status, you have to meditate until you rise from the physical earth to merge with the spirits. trying to become a monk on a "part time" basis while you hold down a full time engineering job on the side is a joke. you will never find the time to meditate hard enough to merge with the mind of god. this is why they call phd fields "disciplines". you need full time discipline to achieve true phd level.Preservation for future.