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Master’s degrees are fast becoming a major asset within the finance industry and can open many doors for graduates who are looking to kick-start their careers in finance. There are plenty of potential career paths out there so a career in banking doesn’t have to be the only option.
The US Bureau of Labor reports that employment opportunities in the finance and business sector will increase by 10 percent by 2026 and as the rules and regulations of finance are practically universal, having a master’s in finance can offer itself as a passport for worldwide career opportunities.
A considerable 64 percent of master’s in finance graduates from the IE Business School Report 2017 found work within the investment banking industry just three months after graduation, with 18 percent working in consulting. A further seven percent have secured work within asset management, four percent in sales and trading, four percent in VC (venture capital) and PE (private equity), two percent in Fintech (financial technology) and a further two percent in industry, demonstrating that the job market for graduates with a master’s in finance has a lot to offer.
Using data collected from PayScale, read on to discover just some of the amazing careers you can do with your master’s in finance.
Corporate investment banker
Average salary: $96,476 in the US
Having a keen interest in finance with the ability to understand how money is made and invested are the main traits of a corporate investment banker. Corporate investment bankers carry out financial research to develop financial solutions, achieve financial goals and provide strategic advice by identifying and securing financial deals for their clients by implementing both short-term and long-term plans. Clients can be a company, institution or government.
As a corporate investment banker, you must be equipped with strong numerical and analytical skills with the ability to communicate technical information in a simple format to your clients. Like many other financial careers, as a corporate investment banker you will need to be resilient, have the ability to work well under pressure and cope with stressful situations.
Financial analyst
Average salary: $59,026 in the US
As a financial analyst you will combine your knowledge, skills and interests to evaluate investment opportunities for your employer and provide guidance and recommendations for the best course of action for your employer’s investment decision. You should be aware of current market trends as well as investment opportunities within your specialist area. Financial analysts’ employers can be non-profit organizations, government, other business or an individual. As a financial analyst you can also work in banks, pension funds and insurance firms.
Financial advisor
Average salary: $58,590 in the US
Working as a financial advisor means you will provide specialist advice and guidance to your clients with how they manage their money. You can specialize in just one particular area of expertise which can include investments, savings, estate planning, mortgages, taxes or pensions. Financial advisors provide professional recommendations for their clients by researching the marketplace and ensuring that the client has all the information possible to make a fully informed decision to secure a sale.
You can work as an independent advisor where you research and consider all areas of retail investment products or providers that can meet your clients’ needs, or you can work as a restricted advisor where you offer limited advice which focuses on only one, or a very limited number of products or providers. You must, however, always inform your client as to whether you will be providing them advice as an independent or a restricted advisor beforehand.
Stockbroker
Average salary: $51,395 in the US
As a stockbroker you’re expected to use your exceptional analytical, negotiation and communication skills to advise your clients to make informed decisions on investing in the right stocks and right markets at the best time.
In a fast-moving and challenging environment, you will also carry out market research to maintain your expertise and knowledge of up-to-date financial and tax legislation to ensure that the guidance you give your clients is as accurate as possible. As a stockbroker, communication is key as you deal with and update your clients directly with new investment opportunities.
Actuary
Average salary: $55,450 in the US
Actuaries mainly work in investment banking, corporate finance, pension funds and insurance companies. They use financial and statistical theories to assess the likelihood of certain events occurring to then help their employer or client take steps to minimize the possible risks and financial costs involved. It is important that, as an actuary, you’re able to present and explain technical and complex information in a way that non-specialist clients can understand.
Getting started
IE Business School, situated in Spain’s sunny capital, Madrid offers a full-time 10-month master’s in finance program that is taught entirely in English. The program is developed by capital market professionals and offers up-to-date knowledge in the most innovative areas of finance.
This article was originally published on October 19th, 2018.
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