Help! Need advice!

For the past five years I have been in the Oil and Gas industry on the E&P side. Although I handle A&D, I do so in a non-finance / banking capacity. Non-Business undergrad at a top 25 public school, and I am nearing the completion of my MBA (concentrated in Energy Finance) at a private school in TX.

I am looking at making the jump into an energy group at an IB here in TX. With no IB experience, and the aforementioned Edu/work experience, would an Associate position be a stretch? After speaking with some friends in IB, they were of the opinion that an Analyst position was within reach, and that moving straight into an Associate position (if possible) could have its disadvantages (EG: not having been an analyst, lack of peer/analyst respect, etc...) Thoughts?
Additionally, A CFA (level 1 & 2) for-credit prep course is offered in the MBA program I'm in, which I have the opportunity to take. How would this affect my opportunities, and is it necessary? Thanks in advance!