Career conversations: Don’t let obstacles hold you back

If you'd asked me again whether I would want to do the CFA® Program again, even though it was a lot, I would say yes. Why? Because of the value it has brought to me, the impact it has had on my career, and that comes through because of the top quality of the CFA Program. My name is Isaac Kwaku Mensah, and I am a Manager at the Syndications and Capital Markets Department of Consolidated Bank, Ghana Limited.

Initially, I started with the retail department of the bank. And then I wanted to really move to the credit department, but I got to see that to be able to function well as a credit person or a credit analyst. I needed to strengthen my financial background, given that I didn't have any financial background with my first degree, biochemistry. So having that in mind, I decided to pursue the CFA Program.

Because I didn't have a finance background, it was a bit challenging for me. Working full time and having to study and taking care of other family responsibilities and obligations was really a challenge. Right from when I decided to pursue the program, it was all or none for me. Either the CFA Program or nothing.

So even though I failed severally, let me put it that way. I wasn't going to give up until I achieved the gold standard that I wanted. And I made sure that I dedicated a lot of time for study. So right after work, I would study and then I'd make sure that all my annual leave was solely dedicated to study. That helped me to be able to eventually finished the program.

So once I passed the CFA (Program) Level I, I was able to move to the credit department as a Junior Analyst, and eventually, after earning my charter, I then became a Manager of the Syndications and Capital Markets Department.

Knowledge and experience gained through the CFA Program has been very impactful. We essentially help client to arrange funds through debt issuance or equity issuance on the capital markets, and that is what the CFA Program has equipped me with. They having to do with fixed income, having to do with equity issuances and managing the portfolio as well. We have added a lot of value to the bank's portfolio because we are able to syndicate from banks, as well as help clients raise funds from the capital markets.

To transition into finance from another field, one key thing that you would have to consider is interest. While the interest is there, then you could do it. I would advise my younger self to be vigorous with the studies and also to form study groups with the like-minded students who are pursuing the program, so as to share ideas or strategies. I think if I had done that earlier on, my story would have been a lot different.