What to Consider When Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Finance
October 3, 2012
•Finance
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The American economy appears to be showing signs of slow growth and a return of jobs that were lost during the Great Recession. According to Monster.com, employers are complaining of a lack of talented individuals with a finance education to fill needed roles. However, this is not translating directly into easy interviews and assured jobs. Employers are becoming picky in their search for qualified finance employees.
Hiring was better in 2011, but the trend of employers looking for specific details when hiring finance employees is expected to continue in 2012. Individuals need to keep these factors, and others, in mind when considering the pursuit of a Bachelor’s in Finance.
What can a Bachelor’s do for you?
Most professional positions in the business world, including finance positions, require individuals to complete a Bachelor’s in Finance as the minimum educational requirement for hiring. Individuals heading into college or returning to build upon an earlier education will need a Bachelor’s to pursue many of the entry-level positions in the field of finance.
Are you Introverted or Extroverted?
Aside from specific skill sets and mental abilities, an individual’s personality can play a role in whether or not they will be successful in a particular career field. According to Yahoo! Education, there are positions in the field of finance that are ideal for both introverts and extroverts.
Accountants, because they often work more with spreadsheets, computer programs, and data, are often ideal positions for introverts. There are finance positions available for those who are extroverted and outgoing. Personal Financial Advisors work with numbers, but also work very closely with clients and need to have an outgoing personality. For both positions a Bachelor’s in Finance is an ideal start to pursuing their career.
What Else Will You Need?
A Bachelor’s in Finance can help position graduates for an entry-level finance position when they graduate. However, hiring managers are looking for more than just a Bachelor’s degree when hiring for certain positions. Managers are looking for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree and experience in the field, knowledge of the software the company uses, and specific skill sets.
As a result, individuals need to consider their ability to meet these additional requirements after earning their Bachelor’s in Finance. According to Monster.com, hiring managers are looking for all these factors when hiring finance employees in 2012. Individuals without these skills or long lay-offs in employment are viewed as having rusty skills.
Certain Bachelor’s in Finance programs might help tick off a few of these boxes, but graduates should be prepared to put in some time working in the field before their degree helps them pursue a bigger role.
Earning a Bachelor’s in Finance is a big decision for college students and professionals returning to school for more education. The field of business, which finance is a part of, is viewed as one of the best areas of study for students. According to Yahoo! Education, the field of business was recently listed as one of the most versatile areas of study for students. Finance programs in business schools teach students to make financial predictions and forecasts as well as how to make sense of them.
Sources:
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/valuable_college_degrees_2.htm?wid=1004&svkid=HUYV&usid=a7b8c0d1-9498-47d3-8d64-5739efc26470
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/careers_for_introverts_2.htm?wid=1004&svkid=HUYV&usid=a7b8c0d1-9498-47d3-8d64-5739efc26470
http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/company-industry-research/finance-jobs-outlook-2012/article.aspx