Mid 40s career switch

[brengene]

I'm in my mid 40s. Been working for 20 yrs in the high tech industry. Doing good in senior management position but getting tired of the industry that i'm in.

I'm thinking of making a mid career switch to investment, perhaps VC or hedge fund, leveraging on my industrial experience. I'm very interested in investment to begin with and I do invest my own funds. I'm contemplating taking either the Masters of Science in Applied Finance in SMU or CFA in order to increase my chance of making the switch.

Any thoughts from anyone if this is a feasible route?

[BillyB]

I admire your ambition (and don't want to sound pessimistic) but, being blunt, nigh on impossible to get a job on the buy-side with no experience. Subsequently, a masters will add very little. In the present climate of masses of well qualified financial candidates flocking to Asia from the West, you'll even struggle to get a junior entry-level role because of the supply of experience available, and very-well qualified graduates who'll work for next to nothing.

If you want to get some experience and pursue this change, I'd suggest cutting your teeth within an investment bank - obviously much larger organisations and they tend to be a little more flexible with limited individual experience, and there is a clearer career path to move up through the ranks. Then you'll be in a better position to make the switch to the buy-side.

It's also worth speaking to some of the specialist financial recruiters in Singapore and HK to gauge their thoughts. You might get lucky with an opening....