Hi,

I'm looking at the possibility of doing a full time MA degree (Finance) in CH (Romandie) as a way of getting my foot in the door for job opportunities.

I already have a Bachelor's degree in Management and a part time Master's degree in Finance - but I don't have experience in the later field.
The program I want to take is way more in-depth than anything I ever studied before so it's both a way of rehashing what I already know and adding to it.
. . . then seeing if I can get into the job market through the internships while I prepare my thesis.

I speak English (fluently) and French (studying for C1) and have 100% trust in my capacity to study and learn. I'm swiss too; so that at least simplifies certain things.
What I'm not sure about is how will I'll do in the job market - age wise.
It seems to me most of the people graduating with me will be about 10 years younger assuming they do the MA right after graduating.
I wouldn't mind taking a junior position but then again my concern is whether I'll be able to find one (somewhere!) in the first place.

You might want to capitalize on your current experience and add the Finance education to it as a value addition. Not sure what you do currently, hence cannot suggest some options.

Have you also evaluated some additional finance courses which are more specific to some topics and will help you start on job quickly. Something like a diploma and internship combination?

As far as age is concerned - don't be too bothered by that if you really want to make a career in finance. Better now than never

Thank you,

For the last 5 years I've been doing things related to budget and control with a certain focus on indirect costs distribution. That includes having participated in different ERP/system implementations.

I'm not too keen on continuing down that road. It was supposedly my entry point to the company I'm working at but promises regarding a transfer to a post where I could use my Master's degree failed to materialize. I gave this company an additional shot or two because of the comparatively high wages; otherwise I'd have moved on long ago.

I'm interested in those shorter courses you mention. Do you have any links or examples?. I looked at short courses at Lausanne uni (only) but did not find any in Finance.
That said, I really liked the MScF study program there. The one I took some years ago was all over the place instead.

I don't have any practical advice for you but I will say that life is too short to not be happy with where you spend 70% of your time. On a much lesser scale (different branches of the same type of job) I "changed careers." My only regret was not doing it before I had a burnout. I think you are being smart and proactive in realizing that you need to do something else. But as another poster said, see if a shorter program or a CAS/MAS couldn't serve your purposes just as well, you can work at the same time. See this link (http://www.formation-continue-unil-epfl.ch/masters) and some others on the "formation continue" site.

At age 32 you are still young, with many years ahead of you in your career. Don't underestimate the work experience that you already have as the potential difference that sets you apart. There are employers that would place high value upon your years of work experience and your maturity when comparing you to younger people with the same education level. When it is time, use your CV and your interviews to show that your work experience and age can make you a better choice over candidates who are fresh out of school with no experience.

Best of luck!

Exactly what kind of career do you have in mind and how do you expect an additional degree will make up for the lack of experience you talk of?

If you already have a degree and a masters in a business related area then I'd say you have already done enough from an education point of view to prove yourself and I doubt that yet another degree will make much of a difference...

I would say you are at the point were gaining experience needs to be the focus and not academia, so run with what you have - start applying for internships, entry level positions and so on and see how it goes.

I was effectively a lab technician till I decided to do my PhD at the grand old age of 30. Once I had completed that, did a postdoc and now working in the Pharma industry as a Scientific/Technical/Medical writer (and part-time Process Development Scientist). That career change was definitely one of my better decisions

I don't want to spoil your enthousiasm but before, I'd check at the university/University of Applied Sciences (UAS) over here if they recognise your Bachelor's degree (if you got it in Argentina) as a condition for the admission to a Master's degree.

This apply for official and recognised universities/UAS.

Good luck!

...and by the way, 32 isn't old for continuing education.

That's a concern I have. I think I have to apply in order to know - and have them see the study programs I followed. It'd be good to know in advance but I'm not sure if it's possible.
I was hoping that the fact that I already have a Master's degree in the same field (different focus, though) would tilt the odds in my favour - if they have any doubts on my original Bachelor's. . .

I wouldn't be worried at all many employers these days appreciate personnel with broad experience from other fields. It is not uncommon in finance or risk to see people with engineering, teaching or mechinical qualifications its much more common then you might think.

Its more likely to be considered as an asset then a disadvantage