Is becoming a credit analyst right for me?
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How to become a Credit Analyst
At the very minimum, a career as a credit analyst requires a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Finance, but a related Bachelor's Degree in Business may work as well.
The best colleges in North America for a career as a credit analyst include the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, and New York University.
Credit analysts are divided into buy-side and sell-side analysts. The job requirements of a buy-side credit analyst are much more complex than college graduates may realize. For example, it is not uncommon for buy-side credit analysts to work with institutional investors such as hedge fund managers and global non-profit organizations. The sheer scope of these institutions means their credit analysts require at the very least a master's degree along with many years of hands-on experience in the finance industry.
From a sell-side perspective, credit analysts assist companies and investors in the sale of financial instruments by making immediate, on-the-spot recommendations. The ability to multi-task is a crucial quality sell-side credit analysts must possess in order to have a lucrative, successful career.