This is Rishi’s story, a dedicated and focused individual whose journey is truly inspiring. Rishi comes from a middle-class background, with his father being a businessman and his mother a homemaker. From a young age, Rishi stood out for his academic excellence. He scored 92% in his 12th grade with commerce and mathematics, and went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College.
Despite balancing studies and social life, Rishi stayed focused and disciplined. Thanks to CFA Prep and the guidance of Karan Sir at The WallStreet School, Rishi received personalized support, mock tests, and pre-recorded videos that helped him stay focused and prepared. Despite balancing studies and social life, he remained disciplined and committed to his goals. By the time he graduates, Rishi aims to clear Level 2 and gain practical experience before progressing to Level 3.
Rishi’s journey reflects determination, hard work, and a commitment to professional growth. Let’s explore more about his entire CFA Level 1 journey.
Below is a transcript of his interview with us:
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how it influenced your career path?
I grew up in a simple and hardworking family in Delhi. My father ran a small trading business, putting in long hours to provide for the family, while my mother managed the home with love and care. From a young age, I was always interested in numbers and solving problems. I was a bright student who chose commerce with maths in school and scored an impressive 92% in my 12th-grade exams. After that, I joined Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College to study Business Economics. I was a humble and focused boy who believed in the values my parents had taught me—hard work, honesty, and never giving up. Watching my father deal with the ups and downs of running a business inspired me to do something big in life.
Why did you decide to pursue CFA?
During my second year of college, I started thinking seriously about my career. I always had a strong interest in finance, especially in understanding how the stock market works, how companies manage money. I used to spend hours reading articles and watching YouTube tutorials to learn more about the stock market and sometimes derivatives as well. One day, while scrolling through YouTube, I came across a video that explained the CFA course.
This made me curious and I started digging deeper. I wanted to know what CFA was all about, how it works, and what kind of jobs it could lead to. The more I read and watched, the more I found that this course was exactly what I was looking for. It focused on core finance, which I was deeply interested in, and it opened up career opportunities in fields I really wanted to explore.
When I told my parents about it, they were very supportive. They didn’t know much about the course, but they trusted my decision. My father said, “If you believe this course will help your future, we’re happy to support you.” That boosted my confidence more and gave me a go ahead, and I enrolled in CFA Level 1 while continuing my graduation.
What was the most difficult part of your CFA Level 1 journey?
If I had to talk about the most difficult part of my CFA Level 1 journey, it would be the initial phase when I wasn’t taking my preparation seriously. I had joined CFA coaching, but I was spending more time hanging out with friends, going out, and socializing. I thought I could manage both, but to be honest, I wasn’t giving my studies the attention they actually needed.
One day, I found out that some of my friends, who were also preparing for CFA, had already covered 5 to 6 subjects whereas I hadn’t even properly started. That situation really hit me hard. I realized that if I kept going at this pace, I’d be definitely left behind. That was a turning point which made me realize my priorities and then I started focusing more on my studies.
The toughest part was learning to say ‘NO’. My friends would make plans for outings, and I had to tell them no, even when I really wanted to go. They asked me several times, thinking I’d eventually agree, but I stuck to my decision. After a while, they stopped asking because they understood I was serious about my studies.
This phase taught me a lot. Some friends moved away because I wasn’t available as much, but the ones who truly cared understood and stayed. They’re still my close friends today. That experience showed me that when you’re working towards something important, it’s OKAY to prioritize it.
Was the CFA course as difficult as you initially thought?
If I’m honest, the CFA Level 1 course wasn’t as difficult for me as it may be for someone starting from scratch. A big reason for this was that it correlated with what I was studying in my Bachelor’s in Business Economics. Many topics were similar, so I was already familiar with the basic ones. But what made the CFA course different was the way it focused on understanding concepts with logic. It wasn’t about memorizing or mugging up things but was truly learning them.
As I got deeper into the course, I realized how much it was helping me in college too. The clarity I gained from CFA studies reflected in my 4th-semester results when I had scored 8.1. It felt like all those hours of hard work had finally paid off.
How did you prepare for the CFA exam, and what approach worked best for you?
When it came to preparing for the CFA Level 1 exam, I spent around 700-800 hours studying. At first, the syllabus looked very vast having so many concepts, and I thought it would be impossible to cover everything in such a time frame. But once I started going through it, I realized if you have clarity on topics it wasn’t as challenging as it seemed. Of course, there were moments when it felt overwhelming.
I still remember one particular concept from the Schweser book. It was just half a page, but it took me three days to fully understand it. I read it again and again, feeling frustrated because no matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn’t click. But then, on the third day, I finally understood what exactly the topic was saying. That moment was such a relief, I can’t even explain. I even laughed at myself, thinking, “Was it really this hard, or was I overthinking it?”
My preparation had a specific routine that worked well for me. I used to attend my CFA classes regularly and make notes while the teacher explained the concepts. After that, I would study examples from the CBOK (Candidate Body of Knowledge), which helped me understand the practical side of things. I also spent a lot of time solving questions from the CFA learning portal and doing mock tests. For me, this combination of attending classes, solving CBOK examples, and taking mock tests was more than enough to prepare.
But here’s the thing: this work order worked for me, but it might not work for everyone. Some people may need to focus more on videos, group discussions, or other resources. At the end of the day, it’s all about figuring out what suits you best. You’re the only one who knows how you learn and what method will get you through.
What role did The WallStreet School play in your CFA journey?
The WallStreet School played an important role in my CFA preparation.I have learned everything under Karan Sir guidance. His teaching style was simple, clear, and focused on understanding the core concepts. He always emphasized the importance of not just clearing the exams, but truly becoming a professional.
Karan Sir often mentioned that a professional course like CFA or any other isn’t just about passing exams but about developing the professional mindset that will help you grow and stay focused in the long run. His words stuck with me: “It’s not the degree or the certificate that makes you a professional, but the knowledge and the effort you put in.” This mindset really motivated me to stay focused and dedicated.
With the help of study resources like pre-recorded videos, detailed notes, and regular mock tests provided by the institute, I was able to understand the concepts in a better way. Karan Sir always stressed the value of practicing and applying what we learned, which made a huge difference. The personalized attention I received and the detailed feedback on my performance kept me on track, especially during those challenging times.
Thanks to these learnings and Karan Sir’s guidance, I was able to approach my preparation with a more professional mindset and stay committed throughout.
What are your career plans after completing CFA Level 1?
When it comes to my career plans, I have a clear path in mind but also an open heart for unexpected opportunities. By the time I graduate, I am confident I’ll be a Level 2 cleared candidate. I’ve put in the hard work, and with the support I have from my family and the mentors. I’m sure I can achieve it. For Level 3, I am planning to take my time. I want to get some job experience first, understand how things work in the real world, and then approach it with the same dedication.
I’ve always been interested in learning about hedge funds. That’s the area I’m aiming for. But I also believe in keeping my options open. Who knows? I might get an opportunity in a field I haven’t even thought about yet.
If that ever happens, and I feel I can learn and grow more from it, I’ll definitely take it. At the end of the day, for me, it’s not just about the title or the pay. It’s about gaining knowledge and doing something that genuinely excites me. I’m ready to work hard and see where this journey takes me.
Rishi’s story demonstrates that with the right mindset and resources, anyone can turn their ambitions into reality. The WallStreet School takes pride in supporting students like Rishi and remains committed to helping more Rishis to achieve their goals in the world of finance.
