How Do I Begin a Finance Career?

To begin a finance career, it first might be advisable to enter into an undergraduate program in business, accounting, or economics. While it may not be necessary in all cases to have an academic degree to practice as a finance professional, many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have had some formal academic training. Depending on the kind of finance career you would like to pursue, you also may benefit from enrolling in a postgraduate business or economics program. Internships and entry level positions can be especially beneficial for individuals who would like eventually to hold upper level and executive positions.

Finance refers to the management of large sums of money. Bankers, brokers, financial accountants and analysts, and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) all can be said to have careers in finance. Individuals who pursue a finance career tend to have a good business sense and an aptitude for mathematics.

A good way to begin a finance career is to enroll in an undergraduate degree program and concentrate in business or accounting. By taking finance courses, you can learn about the principles, methods, and terminology used by financial professionals. In a college program, you also may have the opportunity to learn about the different facets of the financial industry and decide which profession is most appealing to you.

While in college, it might be a good idea to take an internship related to finance. Student internships often are unpaid, but they allow students to get real world experience by working with established finance professionals. An individual who has engaged in internships might also seem more qualified to future employers.

Aside from providing students with valuable skills and knowledge, a college program also can offer students a way into a financial career. Some business schools bring job recruiters on campus to meet students. Professors and colleagues might also act as job references.

Depending on the kind of finance career you wish to pursue, you may need to enroll in a postgraduate program. An individual who would like to become a financial manager or CFO, for example, can benefit greatly from this advanced education. An aspiring financial broker, on the other hand, might instead feel that job experience is more important.

In most cases, a person who is pursuing a career in finance should have a resume. This is a document on which you list all related educational and work experience. You should update your resume with each new professional credential that you earn.