Ishaan Arora

Engineering grad with a CFA gets ₹25L. Finance grad with a CFA gets ₹8L. This proves the biggest myth about CFA WRONG!

As someone who's mentored 1000s of CFA aspirants, I see this pattern repeatedly.

Students are always sceptical about doing CFA because of the myths they've been surrounded with.

Let me break the biggest ones so you can take an informed decision!

❌Myth 1: "CFA guarantees a high-paying job immediately."

✅Fact: CFA opens doors, but you still need to walk through them. Networking, communication skills, and relevant experience matter just as much. It's a qualification, not a magic wand.

❌Myth 2: "CFA is only for investment banking and portfolio management."

✅Fact: CFA skills are valuable in corporate finance, equity research, wealth management, fintech, consulting, and even startups. Don't limit yourself to traditional roles.

❌Myth 3: "You need a finance background to crack CFA."

✅Fact: Many of my successful students come from engineering, commerce, and even arts backgrounds. It's about understanding concepts, not your academic history.
Some non-finance grads even perform better because they approach it with a fresh perspective.

❌Myth 4: "You need to be a topper to clear CFA."

✅Fact: You don't need to be a genius. You need consistency, smart planning, and clear concepts. Even average students clear CFA with the right approach and mentorship.

❌Myth 5: "Only working professionals benefit from CFA."

✅Fact: Students and freshers actually have advantages - more time to study, fewer distractions, and they can align their career path from the start.
Many of my student mentees land better opportunities than experienced professionals.

The truth is, every certification or degree without a clear career strategy, networking, and skill development is just an expensive certificate, worth nothing.

But with the right approach? It's one of the most valuable investments you can make in your finance career.

Confused about whether CFA is right for your situation? Feel free to connect with me :)

17 hours ago | [YT] | 18

Ishaan Arora

I’ve mentored students who had ₹0 savings and students with ₹10L budgets.

It wasn’t the money that made the difference in how far they went.

The ones who made it had something else.

There are 3 traits I have always seen in students who succeeded and that’s what creates the major difference:


1. WILLINGNESS

Always be the one who wants to learn more and isn’t scared to ask for help.

Being stuck because you don’t want to look “stupid” isn’t going to help.

If you want to move forward?

>Ask
>Reach out
>And take action

That is how you will build momentum and grow.


2. CLARITY

They were clear on what they wanted and not just “I want to do CFA”.

They spent time figuring out why.

They research the roles.

Talk to professionals.

Never make the mistake of chasing certifications blindly just because it’s trending; always chase directions.


3. EXECUTION

I’ve seen some students spending months on planning: the perfect CV, perfect post, perfect timeline.

But waiting for the “perfect moment” won’t help you succeed.

You have to start.
Not perfect, not polished.

Make that CV
Reach out to that person on LinkedIn

Even if you face rejection, try again and again.
Take that action and move forward.

If you also have that feeling of not having the “perfect background”, trust me, I have seen students just like you go so far!

Not because of money,
But because of their hard work, consistency and willingness to learn!

1 day ago | [YT] | 61

Ishaan Arora

“I applied to 180 jobs last month.”

Yesterday, a student called me and told me this proudly, and guess how many callbacks he got?

Zero!

And honestly, it wasn’t even surprising at this point. Because I have talked to so many hard-working students who waste so many hours applying online to 100+ jobs only to end up frustrated!

Here’s why this happens:

📌 Most online applications don’t even reach the recruiters: 70% of the CVs are rejected by ATS, so mass-applying without customising your CV won’t land you a job.

📌 Recruiters are looking for “the candidate”: If you apply everywhere, it shows that you aren’t certain where you belong, and it screams desperation.

📌 The hidden job market: 70-80% of jobs aren’t even posted online. They are filled through referrals and recommendations.

So what actually works?

✅ Apply to fewer jobs, but submit customised applications.

✅ Leverage LinkedIn to network. Connect with hiring managers and reach out to them.

✅ Tap into referrals. One good conversation with a professional in your targeted company can do wonders.

Applying for jobs requires a strategy. Start from scratch. Build connections, reach out and get referrals.

Always remember, quality beats quantity in a job search.

Always.🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

2 days ago | [YT] | 94

Ishaan Arora

'Should I do CFA?' 'Is an MBA worth it?' 'Will this work for me?'

Here's what I tell every confused student. 👇

Career trials are better than career traps.

A year ago, a DU BCom student reached out to me. He was stuck on whether to pursue CFA; the investment seemed huge, and everyone kept telling him how difficult it was.

Yesterday, he texted me: "Sir, I just cleared CFA Level 1! Thank you for your advice; it made all the difference."

Here's what changed everything.

Back then, when he was almost convinced he couldn’t do CFA, instead of pushing him toward or away from CFA, I suggested something simple:
"Try some NCFM/NISM courses first. They'll give you the clarity you're looking for."

He did exactly that. Those short-term courses helped him understand if finance was actually his thing. Turns out, it was.

Look, if you're confused about any career path, whether it's CFA, MBA, CA, or any other field, and you have even 0.1% doubt, here's my advice:
Test the waters first.

Do a short-term course in that field. Take a weekend workshop. Shadow someone for a week. Whatever it takes to get a real taste of what you're signing up for.

Because you'll quickly figure out:

💡Does this actually interest you?
💡Can you see yourself doing this for years?
💡Are you just attracted to the idea of it, or the reality too?

This approach will save you time, money, and the frustration of being stuck in something that never felt right.

The biggest career mistake isn't choosing wrong. It's choosing blind.

What's your take on this? Have you been in a similar situation? 💬

1 week ago | [YT] | 86

Ishaan Arora

If I could go back to my final year of college, I'd slap my younger self and say these 5 things.

I was that student who thought getting good grades and landing any job would solve everything.

The Truth? It doesn't.

After building FinLadder and helping thousands of students navigate their careers, I realise how much time I wasted worrying about the wrong stuff.

Here's what I wish someone had told me (and what I'm telling you now):

💡Your CGPA stops mattering after your first job.

I stressed over every 0.1 point difference in my GPA. Meanwhile, my friends who focused on building real skills, networking, and gaining practical experience got better opportunities. After 2-3 years in your career, nobody asks about your marks. They ask what problems you can solve.

💡 Learn to communicate like a human being.

You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you can't explain your ideas clearly, present confidently, or write a professional email without sounding robotic, you'll struggle.

Practice speaking up in class, join debates, and present your projects. These "soft skills" are the hardest to master.

💡 Internships are job interviews, not summer holidays.

I treated my internship like a formality. Big mistake.

Every internship is a 2-3-month job interview. Show up early, ask questions, volunteer for extra work, and build relationships. Some of my most successful students got full-time offers because they treated internships seriously, not just as resume fillers.

💡Networking isn't "using people"; it's building genuine relationships.

I was too shy to reach out to seniors, professors, or industry professionals.

I thought networking was fake or manipulative. Wrong. It's about genuine conversations, learning from others' experiences, and helping each other grow. Start with your own campus, seniors, professors, and guest speakers. LinkedIn isn't just for posting memes.

💡 Don't follow the herd blindly.

Everyone was preparing for the same 5 companies, taking the same courses, and following the same "safe" path. I did too. But the most successful people I know took calculated risks, started their own ventures, explored unconventional career paths, or developed unique skill combinations.

Think about what YOU actually want, not what everyone else is doing.

The college years feel long when you're in them, but they fly by fast. Don't spend them only cramming for exams or stressing about the future.

Use this time to become a well-rounded person, not just a good student.

What's one thing you wish someone had told you during college?

1 week ago | [YT] | 66

Ishaan Arora

I don’t come from a business family. So when I entered Delhi University as an 18 years old kid, do you know what was my dream? 👀

To do as many courses as possible, get the best possible job after my graduation. 🚀

Work there for 2 years, get my MBA from a great brand and then I will be sorted for life. 💯

During the first two years of college, I did EVERYTHING!!

And I mean it! Everything. 🌟

Take a pause. What can you do with or within an undergraduate college?

Extra courses?
Good marks?
Lead societies?
Social work?
Sports team?
Captain a sports team?
Do a professional degree?
Network?
Attend global conferences?
Win competitions?
Internships?
Live projects?

I legit did all this! (If not more). I was in love with the process. I was on my way, I was reaching my goals but then FinLadder happened,

and it kicked me into a different life that I probably only dreamt of! 🔥

Things changed, post that I got into content, then another business, another social media handle etc etc

But do you by now get the fundamentals? 🤌🏻

The results are never in our control, all we can do is plan, and give out our absolute best each and every day.

WORK, BELIEVE, BE GRATEFUL AND REPEAT.

Rest the universe has all planned out for those who follow the process judiciously. ❤️

Got any questions? 💡

Feel free to drop them 🌟

1 week ago | [YT] | 99

Ishaan Arora

One of my friends recently quit his ₹18 LPA tech job to teach guitar full-time. He's happier but struggling to pay rent. So, is choosing passion over a pay cheque really a good idea?

I don't know.

We love the idea of following our passion. It sounds brave. It sounds free. But we also love the idea of not checking our bank balance before ordering food.

The truth is, both sides have a cost.

Passion gives you purpose. It makes Mondays feel lighter. But it doesn't always give you stability. And when the rent is due, or your parents need help, purpose doesn't pay for it.

Money gives you security. It lets you sleep without worrying about next month. But it doesn't always give you fulfilment. And there's a special kind of exhaustion that comes from doing something that doesn't light you up, even if it pays well.

So which one should you choose? Here are a few questions you must ask yourself:

💡 Can your passion actually cover your responsibilities? If you have EMIs, if your parents depend on you, your passion needs to handle that. And if it can't yet, maybe the move isn't to quit. Maybe it's to keep the job and build your thing on the side until it's strong enough to replace your salary. Even if it takes two years.

💡 Can you afford to fail? Some people have a safety net. Some don't. If things go wrong, can you move back home? Can someone support you for six months? Or will one bad month become a real problem? Be honest about this.

💡 Is your passion actually ready? Do you have clients? Proof that people will pay for it? Or is it still just an idea? Because the gap between "I love doing this" and "I can make a living doing this" is huge.

💡What stage of life are you in? At 23 with no responsibilities, the risk looks different from at 32 with a family. Both are valid. Your context matters.
Here's what people skip: you don't always have to choose.

You can do both. Keep the job that pays you and build what you love on weekends. It's slower. It's tiring. But it's safer. And when your side thing starts making real money, matching your salary, that's when you quit. Not before.

Because this isn't a one-time decision. It's something you keep choosing, based on what you need and what you can handle right now.

So if you're stuck between passion and pay cheque, ask yourself: What can I actually afford to do right now? Not what sounds inspiring. What's real?

And then do that.🔥

1 week ago | [YT] | 75

Ishaan Arora

I never told this story publicly, but I failed FRM Level 1 on my first attempt. Then I became one of the youngest in the world to clear both levels.
What changed was how I studied.

The strategies I'm about to share? They worked for FRM. They worked for CFA. They work for UPSC, CA, medical entrance, CAT, and any other exam.


💡 I focused on high-weightage topics I already understood well.

Most people spread themselves too thin. I doubled down on what I was already decent at and made those topics my strength. Yes, I worked on my weak areas. But I put my major focus on scoring maximum marks where I had the best chance.


💡 I started testing myself before I felt ready.

I used to think: study first, test later. Wrong. Testing is studying. I started taking mocks early, even when I knew I'd fail them. Failing a mock helps you identify exactly what you need to work on. It shows you your blind spots.


💡 I gave myself detailed feedback on every wrong answer.

I didn't just mark it wrong and move on. I wrote down the entire thought process. Why did I pick that option? What was I thinking? Where did my logic break? Then I'd practice 10-15 similar questions until that pattern was burned into my brain.


💡 I made three separate notebooks.

One only for formulas. One for key notes and explanations. The concepts needed understanding, not memorisation. And one all-in-one notebook where everything came together, messy but complete. Each served a different purpose. And when exam week came, I knew exactly which one to pick up.


💡 I started teaching what I learnt.

If I could explain a concept to someone smoothly, without stumbling or going in circles, I knew I'd learnt it. If I couldn't? I hadn't. Teaching forces you to organise your thoughts. It shows you the gaps you didn't know existed.


Here's what I learnt:


Passing tough exams isn't about working harder. It's about working smarter. It's about being honest with yourself about what you actually know versus what you think you know.


Most people fail not because they didn't study enough. They fail because they studied wrong.
And once I figured that out, everything changed!⭐

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 110

Ishaan Arora

Please don't do unpaid finance internships in the name of "exposure" when you can actually gain experience and make 30-40k/month by freelancing! Here's a detailed guide!

If you're a finance student looking for practical exposure and some decent income, freelancing is genuinely one of the best options. You don't need years of experience. You just need a few core skills and the willingness to put yourself out there.

Here are some freelancing options you can explore in 2026!

📌 Financial Modelling for Startups
Startups need financial models to plan growth, present to investors, or understand their projections. But most can't afford full-time analysts, so they hire freelancers. Just learn advanced Excel and financial modelling properly, create a few sample models, and start reaching out to startups.

📌 Freelance Bookkeeping and Accounting
I know bookkeeping sounds boring, but it pays consistently. Many startups don't have full-time accountants in the early stages. They manage basic records in Excel or just track bank statements. If you know Tally, Zoho, or even just Excel-based accounting, you can offer bookkeeping services and can also help with GST returns, TDS filings, or tax prep during peak season.

📌 Stock Analysis for Investment Newsletters
If you follow markets and can analyse stocks, there are finance websites, newsletters, and publications looking for analysts. You can contribute as a freelance analyst or even start your own newsletter on Substack or Medium.

📌 Ghostwriting for Finance Brands
Many finance influencers, consultants, and companies need content but don't have time to write. That's where ghostwriters come in. If you can write LinkedIn posts, blog articles, or YouTube scripts in simple language, you can charge 2-5k per article or 10-15k for a monthly retainer.

Reach out to finance bloggers, consultants, or CEOs building their personal brands. Show them samples. If you're good, they'll hire you.

📌 Tax Preparation Services
During tax season, demand for tax help spikes. Even if you're not a CA, you can assist individuals and small businesses with simpler filings. Help people save taxes, file ITR, or handle quarterly filings.

Stop waiting for the perfect internship, and start putting yourself out there! The opportunities are there. You just need to take them.

All the best! 💛

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 70

Ishaan Arora

"Bhaiya, commerce student hu, but maths weak hai. Can I still make a career in finance?" I've heard this more than 100 times, and the answer is YES!

I have seen my classmates and students make it to the top finance firms in the world without being math geniuses. Look, finance is a broad field. Some roles need strong maths. Most don't. You just need to know which path aligns with your strengths and how to prepare for it.

Let’s break it down:

If you're looking at quantitative trading, risk modelling, algorithmic trading, or actuarial work, yes, you need strong quantitative skills. These roles involve statistics, programming, and complex mathematical modelling. If maths genuinely isn't your thing, these might not be the right fit.

But here's what most students don't realise. These are niche roles. The majority of finance careers don't require advanced maths at all.

Want to go into investment banking, equity research, corporate finance, FP&A, private equity, or wealth management? These roles use basic-intermediate-level maths. Percentages, ratios, growth rates; that's all. The real skill is to understand what the numbers mean and make business decisions based on them.

Most of the work happens in Excel. And Excel does the maths for you. You just need to know what formula to use, why you're using it, and how to interpret the output.

So focus on:

📌 Mastering Advanced Excel - This is non-negotiable. Learn formulas, shortcuts, and financial modelling. If you're comfortable with Excel, you're already ahead.

📌 Understand financial statements - Learn to read balance sheets, P&L statements, and cash flow statements. Understand what each line means and how they connect.

📌 Build financial concepts - NPV, IRR, valuation methods, and ratio analysis. These sound complicated, but they're actually logical. Once you understand the concept, applying it becomes straightforward.

📌 Work on real projects - Take any company's annual report. Analyse it. Build a simple model. Compare two companies in the same industry. Practical work builds confidence faster than theory.

📌 Take structured courses and professional courses - Don't try to learn randomly. Take proper courses on financial modelling, valuation, and analysis. Do courses like CFA, FRM, etc. Structured learning makes things way easier to grasp.

Look, I'm not going to tell you maths doesn't matter at all. It does for all roles, but advanced complex maths? only in certain roles. Your ability to analyse, communicate, and apply concepts matters way more.

So if you're a commerce student and your maths is weak, don't be disheartened. Just be smart about which roles you target and what skills you build.

All the best!💛

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 123