Financial careers are some of the most lucrative and rewarding in the world.
Finance sector jobs deal with everything from small business bookkeeping to international markets and are in demand all over the world. For those interested in pursuing a career in this field, education is key. Whether it’s an Undergraduate Degree course in Economics or a Master of Science in Mathematics Education; learning the fundamentals of finance in an academic setting will yield great things and facilitate a smooth transition into the working world.
This type of education offers unique and valuable professional preparation to students. Typical curriculums include financial management, technology, ethics, e-business, research and statistical analysis courses which help build strong analytical and managerial skills that are incredibly valuable to potential employers. Finance courses from undergraduate to masters levels and beyond are practical and hands-on, enabling a smooth and successful transition into the business world upon graduation.
Here are a just a few of the many potential career paths that a finance degree can lead to.
Financial Analyst
These positions play an integral role in the modern global economy. Jobs in the finance and banking sector have grown exponentially since the 1970s as the nature of these businesses have become increasingly complex in their opportunities for investment. Financial analysts research everything about a possible investment from its corporate history to financial status to risk, current assets and projected growth. Analysts then prepare formal recommendations based on various business goals and facilitate deals as and when they arise.
Finance Manager
These roles deal largely with direct financial reporting of investment activity and asset management strategies in both the public and private sector. Finance manager positions exist in government organisations and multinational corporations alike which means there is a wide scope for career development and diverse and challenging work. Financial managers are often tasked with creative challenges, requiring them to think about broad strokes and big picture goals, and then direct a team of analysts or other employees in a strategic manner to meet said goals.
Financial Planner
This type of work focuses largely on helping individuals reach their personal financial goals. Employees are required to be gregarious and communicative, to understand sophisticated financial concepts and translate them into clear goals for individuals and families. A good financial planner will have a comprehensive knowledge of things like investments, taxes and estate planning and will help clients plan for each accordingly. The scope for entrepreneurship is good within the financial planning realm as many practitioners go one to be sole traders, running their own small business with a few good clients.
Real Estate
Over one third of the world’s wealth is tied up in real estate. Finance graduates are well-equipped to enter this booming (and reliable) market in any number of capacities from insurance to construction to mortgage banking to appraisals to leasing and brokerage. This path requires licensing (if aiming for a real estate broker position) but many employers will facilitate this licensing process as they are eager to recruit the best and brightest, which are very often finance graduates.
The financial world is vast and varied. A higher education degree in this subject will prepare graduates for a range of exciting, lucrative and challenging positions in any number of professional disciplines throughout the world. As careers go – finance is a winner.
Image by Simon Cunningham, used under the Creative Commons license.
