Is the CFA useful for jobs/career in commercial real estate?
Hi reddit! 

I’m currently 22, just graduated college and working in commercial real estate as an equity underwriting analyst for a bank. More specifically, I help underwrite affordable housing and tax credit deals for the company (pretty niche industry). In thinking about my career, I was wondering if I could get some advice on whether to pursue the CFA or not, as I am unsure if I will stay in this industry long term.

I am not too sure what I would like to do in 5-10 years, and was wondering if the CFA would help me regardless. Asset/portfolio management has initially piqued my interest, but again, not too sure. Stay in CRE, explore developer side? Work for a fintech? Try to completely transition into tech? The possibilities are endless.

Am I better off learning modeling/coding skills instead of studying for the CFA due to my own uncertainty, or will the CFA help me regardless?

I would love to hear if anyone else has been in my shoes and decided to go for it anyways, and how much that has helped your career. Any advice would be highly appreciated. Thank you so much!
[{"id": "iidxdkg", "text": "The CFA is the standard in investment analysis and will pay dividends in your career if you are looking to get into commercial real estate.  In my opinion, it\u2019s the equivalent of an MBA, and many places will view it as such.\n\nI\u2019ve seen some places explicitly ask for CFAs, but not many.  If you are up to the task, I say do it.  It\u2019s a lot of work, but like an MBA or MRED, it will be well worth it in your career.", "replies": [{"id": "iienjw1", "text": "CFA is much better than an MBA unless you never went to business school. \n\nCFA develops skills. MBA at the right school gives you connections.", "replies": [{"id": "iieocp8", "text": "They are both valuable, and will both give you a leg up.  I\u2019d take experience over both, but I don\u2019t believe one is better than the other when it comes to being successful.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iidxpqe", "text": "I\u2019ve done this. It\u2019s hard to answer because a lot (likely majority) of very important people you will come across in the CRE world won\u2019t even know what the CFA is or how difficult the process to obtain it is. However, it does provide you lots of credibility in terms of aptitude when people know you have it. \n\nThe impact of getting it will always be intangible and difficult to assess. No one will hire you because you have a CFA or pay you X dollars more because you have it. They will just think damn that guy/girl works very hard and is smart (which is something).\n\nI am an excellent modeler, can code a decent enough amount, and have CFA. I think the CFA has been least important but it\u2019s honestly hard to say. Don\u2019t go learning Python right away or anything. Master excel, learn keyboard shortcuts, Power Query may become very helpful to you as well depending on context.\n\nI\u2019m happy to discuss more if you want to shoot me a DM. CFA material is mostly easy enough, it\u2019s just a lot of fucking work to prepare adequately. The 300 hours thing isn\u2019t a joke for levels 2 and 3.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iidy922", "text": "Perhaps for the Wall Street side of things, CMOs, REITs. However, for brokerage, appraisal, development, half of mortgage bank, most people won't ever heard of the CFA.  You're young though so your theory is still fresh in your mind so this would be the best time, and you have fewer obligations to disrupt studying for the CFA. Any designation is better than no designation.", "replies": [{"id": "iifbfd2", "text": "Agreed. If OP is looking to be in the capital markets side of things buying and selling tranches of assets or doing debt risk ratings analysis it is a good way to show your skills. I doesn't help much with underwriting individual loans, appraisal reviews.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iidyga5", "text": "CFA is only worth to pursue if you intend to work in finance-related roles in CRE (mostly at REITs, institutional, origination) and acquisitions in general. Other than that, most people won't even know what CFA means.", "replies": [{"id": "iieak2m", "text": "Disagree with this. It\u2019s most prevalent/applicable for mortgage banking, REPE portfolio management and real estate securities (equity research, investment banking coverage). You absolutely don\u2019t need the designation to work in acquisitions, though it could be helpful in operating real estate investments (hotel, seniors housing, etc.)", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iif4us3", "text": "Waste of time if you\u2019re getting into CRE IMO. Probably one of the worst trade offs in terms of difficulty to obtain and usefulness. Spend that time doing more deals.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iifcwzf", "text": "When you're young and able to obtain credentials...you should do so.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iige43z", "text": "No", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iipghla", "text": "When I interview someone that earned a CFA I automatically think that is one smart person, I hope they stick around for more than a few years because they're ambitious. I've done development, lending, asset management and property management - I don't see how CFA benefits these sides of the business unless you are a new graduate with a non business type degree. Like others said, CFA is great if you're working for private equity, a high net worth family, hedgefund, etc. Good luck!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]