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If you’ve got a keen interest in the economy and investments, have an inquisitive and analytical mindset, and already have a bachelor’s degree under your belt, you may want to consider pursuing a master’s in finance degree. Doing so will not only give you a greater advantage in the search for a career, it will also better prepare you for working in a field you’ll love.
There’s an affinity of specializations
Finance degrees have a much broader range than you may initially expect. For example, the Master in Finance program at IE Business School offers its students an innovative and professionally planned curriculum with career-driven modules in corporate finance, the foundations of banking, risk governance and asset allocation to name but a few.
Your skills and industry knowledge will be in high demand…
… and your opinions will be highly sought after too. The world is in constant need of finance professionals, and so your expertise will always be in high demand. With the unique skillset and industry knowledge you’ve built up over the years you’ll be considered a very attractive hire to prospective employers.
Studying finance means you’ll need to be able to think objectively while ensuring your communication skills are top notch as you liaise and collaborate with your fellow cohort. These interactions will be perfect practice for the close relationships you’ll need to build with colleagues in the workplace.
And of course, possessing technical financial knowhow will also benefit you personally when it comes to managing your own finances and bank balance.
Prosperous career opportunities
Finance is very much a vocational subject which can open many doors to various career opportunities around the world, from financial management or insurance, to commercial banking and hedge funding.
Although working in finance can be challenging, it can also be very (financially) rewarding, with earning potential ranging massively depending on your experience, position and the industry you work in. Using data from PayScale, here are some of the typical salaries you can expect for some of the most popular jobs for master’s in finance graduates:
Investment banker - average US salary: $97,412
Stockbroker - average US salary: $50,184
Financial consultant - average US salary: $66,565
Insurance broker - average US salary: $60,682
Of course, these are just a few of the jobs available, but other roles will also pay impressively well. For instance, the average salary for a Master in Finance graduate from IE Business School in 2017 was €51,250 (~US$57,521).
It shows your drive and commitment
Having a master’s in finance degree on your CV can really make an impression. Although not every career will require you to have a master’s degree, it can in some cases, help give you a competitive edge over other potential candidates.
The chance to travel overseas
Finance is, after all, a global enterprise. Familiarizing yourself with the world’s top financial districts in New York and London is one sure-fire way of getting to grips with the realities of the global finance world.
Master in Finance students at IE Business School have the fortunate opportunity to visit both New York and London’s financial districts and meet with high-end companies and businesses. Plus, those who opt to study the Financiers without Borders module will travel to Ghana and apply what they’ve learnt in the classroom to a real-life project.
This article was originally published on April 24th, 2019.
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