Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Applied Database Administration and Design ?
 

So after working for a few years I have decided to go back to BCIT part time to take the program Certified Financial Planner. Seems alright from looking at the info. You finish the first level of courses and work for about a year and then contiune up the ladder.

However, I wanted to know how's the job market for CFP these days seeing how bad the job market is right now and what people are saying in the CA firm thread makes me wonder is it a really good time to take CFP right now?

The other option I like is the Applied Database Administration and Design. I been doing tech support for about 3years now so I am pretty confident with computers and network issue as well. I have been doing readings on my own for a bit (CNNA mostly).

I feel both programs I will like. Applied Database Administration and Design seems to be safer side since I somewhat of a background in it. However, I do feel CFP isn't a bad option either. Just want to know from fellow RS members how's the job market these days.

DO NOT ATTEND BCIT FOR CFP.
i made the mistake of taking the accelerated program they offered last sept. with the revision of the cfp program last year the program bcit offered didnt even qualify to take the exam. I am almost done the cfp through online self study through advocis directly, advocis is the organization that administrates the cfp program. so basically i took the first two courses through bcit, and then when i went to enroll for the second semester they then informed me that they were denied approval.
my overall experience with their cfp program is that its a complete JOKE. the profs are half assed and half of your class is full of ppl jus taking a class for the hell of it, you ARE NOT in a good peer group setting (a lot of the classes are pre reqs for other bullshit finance programs offered through bcit)

BCIT is probably the best trades institution in BC but leaves a lot of room for improvement in the area of academics.

I firmly recommend you do the CFP through advocis directly.
in terms of careers for CFP, do you see yourself with a future in banking or wealth management? a cfp without experience in this indudstry does not mean much.
for myself i am a senior level personal banker with one of the major banks and am choosing the complete the CFP to either go into financial planning where the compensationis considerably more attractive or to look at taking some other advisor role outside of public banking. If its between CFP and another designation you really should consider which will benefit you most in the short and long term, but if its between CFP and checking the twanger honger thread def get on it.

Experience is more of my concern. It seems to become a CFP you have to have the experience to move forward which might be hard to get these days.

As far as Applied Database Administration and Design I might not have much actual work experience with it but been doing tech support a while I do more something more or less. I have friends who took the CISCO networking from BCIT.

Tough choice, your 2 career choices are pretty much polar opposites.

There's always demand for new for people in both professions.

I'd recommend to find out what you think is a better fit for yourself?

I view CFP similar to a realtor, do you have the personality and skills to network, market, sell, build a client base? Do you have the network of friends and family right now to be potential customers?

With IT, you currently do tech support but you want to progress in that role, i.e. Support manager, technical architect, etc..

Also, its very important to think about what you want to do 5 to 10+yrs for now. You gotta pave the way now either through hard work or education.

hope that helps..

CFP is not something that will grant you entry into the industry, it is an accreditation further your career

given the experience you listed in your post, i would say it isnt the ideal path for you to pursue currently.

^^ Thx that's what I was thinking. Better stuck to something I am better at I guess. Beside with my current job I get to play around with the actual switches and stuff at work (well the ones they no longer use anyways).

Wealth management business is really more about network and relationship. Do not get too hung up about the technical skills associated with CFP. Frankly, the client does not give a damn about how much you know on preferred shares or sovereign fixed-income products.

The best route I think is to first get yourself into the financial services industry such as working for the bank. You will get a good feel of whether the sales side of the business is actually for you. Then pursue the various certifications you need to move up in the business. If they like you, they might even paid some of your courses. Along the way you will have a lot of opportunities to establish your core network (wealthy long-term clients) and expand from there.