The financial sector is continually expanding and jobs within the sector are on the increase. This is why earning a finance degree can be a gateway to a challenging and rewarding career.
A Financial Degree
This degree suits students who are inquisitive and good with numbers. Individuals can earn their degree from colleges, universities or business schools. They may opt to follow the traditional route by attending classes on campus or they may decide to pursue the course by enrolling in an online program.
There are Four Different Types of Finance Degrees that one may Earn:
- An Associate Degree:
- A Bachelor’s Degree:
- A Master’s Degree:
- A Doctorate Degree:
This can be earned in two years or less and can obtain graduates entry-level positions in some financial institutions.
This is a four-year program and is usually the basic requirement set by most employers in the financial sector.
This takes one or two years to complete. This degree prepares individuals to work in various administrative or management finance roles.
This is mainly for those who wish to conduct research on matters affecting the financial sector or for those that wish to become faculty members at institutions of higher learning.
The curriculum for most finance degrees aims to equip students with the requisite financial management tools to help them evaluate and execute financial decisions at various levels. Each course is often related to the rest, and builds on the student’s existing knowledge.
The courses normally touch on research methods, technology, problem solving, ethics, critical thinking and statistical analysis. The course content might vary with each institution but most finance degrees cover basics; such as Principles of Business, Business Law, Accounting, Macro and Microeconomics, Marketing, Personal Finance Management and Corporate Finance, among others.
Jobs Available for Finance Degree Graduates
Finance degree holders can choose to pursue numerous degree paths since nearly all businesses require staff with financial knowledge. They may choose to work with different companies including banks (both commercial and investment), insurance companies or brokerage firms. Alternatively, finance graduates can set up personal businesses such as consulting firms or financial planning agencies.
A Financial Graduate can Work in any of the Following Positions:
- Financial Analyst:
- Financial Planner or Adviser:
- Loan Officer:
- Investment Banker:
- Finance Officer:
This position involves researching the financial status of an organization and advising them on necessary steps to achieve their goals.
This entails helping individuals to plan for their financial future.
This bank or credit union employee usually assists people during loan application and processing.
This involves raising capital for individuals, companies or governments.
This position involves managing the financial operations of a company.
Extra Help Available to Students
Earning a financial degree demands a lot of hard work and determination. Students will encounter challenging classes and will need assistance. For instance, some institutions require students to study financial algebra and several learners may need extra algebra help to pass such courses. In these instances, it might be advisable to engage the services of personal tutors or to enroll in tutoring classes.