While some might go to business school with hopes of landing on Wall Street, others just want to work in a business sector that’s not directly tied to investments. For those people, there are many degree programs available, and they have the ability to make the most out of any that they choose. Is an MBA or a CFA better for a person who wants to work in a business sector that’s not dependent upon investments? The MBA will generally allow for better career flexibility. In the right hands, though, a CFA can be used to work outside of the investment world.
The Many Uses of an MBA
As Eric Jackson of Forbes indicates in an article about MBAs, there are many good reasons why one might choose an MBA. With this degree, you have the ability to manage a business, handle the human resources side, or even work in private equity. All of these things involve sophisticated business practices, and they won’t require you to work in the traditional investment world. An MBA can also allow an individual to work in healthcare administration or even sports. With an MBA, a student can ideally choose the path that suits him best, even if this means avoiding investment banking.
The Typical CFA Use
A CFA degree establishes a student as a chartered financial analyst. These degree programs are primarily designed for those students who want to learn how to analyze companies and make effective equities trades. If you’re looking to become an ace at spotting valuable commodities, then a CFA degree can set you up well for this kind of career. Most people who go through a CFA program will end up working as stock analysts or brokers for large investment firms. Though this is the typical route, it is not the only route. For those with the will to do so, it’s possible to work outside of investments with a CFA.
What Else Can Be Done with a CFA?
What are the other things that a person can do when they have a CFA? This depends upon the rest of a student’s background. A CFA program can help a student learn how to analyze a host of different things, and it’s the type of degree program that helps students learn how to use numbers. This can be helpful in the business world if a student is willing to head away from a traditional investment banking path. A CFA degree also shows that a student has the smarts and work ethic to make it through a challenging program. This can open doors in the hiring process if it’s used properly.
The short answer to this question is that an MBA is the better option of these two degrees for people who don’t want to end up in investments. An MBA provides a broader background, and students can choose to focus on elements of management that don’t even touch on invests or stock analysis. With a CFA, a student will have to work much harder to establish a reputation in an industry outside of traditional investment banking.
