Kali Sudharsan, who worked in an accounting firm and teaches drawing to school students, was advised by his mentor Kamal Kishore G to prepare for a few more months before taking CFA Level 1. He kept going, applied for the CFA Institute Access Scholarship three times and won it on the third attempt.
Sometimes the best mentor is the one who tells you not to take the exam yet.
Kali Sudharsan is one lucky guy. Not because he got a scholarship, but because he found a mentor who knew when to tell him to slow down.
The honest conversation first
Kali worked in an accounting firm for a year. He also teaches school students how to draw and paint. He was interested in investments and wanted to explore the world of finance.
We sat him down and explained the reality. CFA is not easy. Getting into core finance is not easy either. And an investment job does not come simply because you have a qualification. He listened. Understood. Rolled up his sleeves.
“Not yet”
One of Skilledgrad’s senior mentors, Kamal Kishore G, assessed him and decided to take a different approach. Usually, when a student wants to write an exam, the conversation is about getting them ready as soon as possible.
With Kali, Kamal Sir said something different: “Don’t take the exam now. Let’s prepare for a few more months, take some tests, and then we’ll decide.”
And Kali listened. He prepared alongside work and tried different ways to make it work. Even when he had to step away from his job, he kept going.
Third time lucky
Then came another test of persistence. He applied for the CFA Institute Access Scholarship twice and was not selected. Most people would start questioning whether it was worth trying again.
Kali applied a third time. This time, he got it.
The long preparation, the mentor feedback, the extra time and the repeated attempts finally gave him something to celebrate. He has not even written CFA Level 1 yet, and that is exactly why this story is worth telling. Not every meaningful student story starts with a result. Some start with a student willing to listen, and a mentor willing to say, “Not yet. You’re going to need more time.” And some move forward because neither of them gives up on the process.
Kali, the scholarship is a great milestone. Now comes the work. Keep going.
A quick thought for CFA students
Do not confuse taking the exam quickly with being ready for the exam. Sometimes the extra months you spend preparing are not a delay. They are an investment in yourself. And sometimes, listening to the right mentor makes all the difference.
This story was first shared by Sridharan M, Head of Academics & Placement at Skilledgrad, on LinkedIn. Read the original post.
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