What can you do with a Master's degree in Finance?

It is becoming alarming that most students study a course in an institution without even knowing what kind of job they will fit into once they graduate. Considering this as a center point, we have brought a piece that shows you the kinds of jobs you can actually do with a master's degree in Finance.

Grab a coffee mug as you sit tight and digest the article. But before we delve into the main issue, it might interest you to know what a master degree is all about.

In its simplest form, a master's degree is a degree that is higher than a bachelor's degree and awarded by universities or colleges as a result of a student completing a course of study to show mastery of that specific field of study.

Also, Finance revolves around the management of money and includes activities like investing, borrowing, lending, budgeting, saving, and forecasting. But in real life sense, Finance and Investments go hand in hand. You need adequate knowledge of Finance to run your investments adequately.

A financial investment is an asset that you put money into with the expectation that it will appreciate into a larger sum of money.  And hence the question "what can you do with a Master's degree in Finance?"

Jobs Available for a Master's Degree Holder in Finance?

Now lets consider the jobs you can take up when you have a master's degree in Finance. Most times, the kinds of jobs available are usually in investments or in financial management or analysis. Below is a list of the types of job you can expect to secure.

Working in Commercial Banking

Taking a career in commercial banking will enable you to work in accountancy, financial management, commodities, sales of financial services and financial and credit analysis fields.

Most commercial banks offer a range of financial services ranging from checking and savings accounts to IRAs and loans. As a master degree holder, you have options available in sectors like bank tellers, loan officers, operations, marketing, and branch managers.

Additionally, skilled workers can be promoted from a local branch job to a position in corporate headquarters. A promotion like this would expose you to a number of other areas, such as international finance. 

Working as an Insurance Specialist

You can work in risk management as underwriters, asset managers, actuaries or sales representatives.

Working in Investment Banking

People in this class assist governments and corporations issue securities. They also help with corporate investment portfolios that help companies build passive income that sustains operations. If you choose to work in a traditional investment banking firm, you can interact with issuers of securities, mergers and acquisitions professionals, or the trading desk, which trades stocks, bonds and other securities in the secondary market. 

Working in Financial Analysis

Your job here will be to keep an eye on the markets, studying trends and political situations including changing government regulations, to assist individuals choose investments. You can also work with banks and pension funds, mutual funds, insurance companies and other businesses.

Brokers / Hedge Funds Opportunities

These are finance professionals who buy and sell bonds and commodities (corn, oil and gold). Hedge fund jobs are also considered by many to be very glamorous.

Working in Corporate Finance

Financial graduates working in corporate finance find the money to run the business, grow the business, make acquisitions, plan for it's financial future and manage any cash on hand. As a master holder in finance, you have opportunities in corporate finance sector involve working for a company in the capacity of finding and managing the capital necessary to run the enterprise. This is done while maximizing corporate value and reducing financial risk.

Private Equity / VC Careers

Working as a private equity professional, you will assist businesses find capital for both expansion and current operations. Also, you can provide financing for a number of corporate business transactions, such as managed buyouts and restructurings.

Financial Planning Positions

Generally, financial planners aid individuals create plans that will ensure their present and future financial stability. This set of people actually review a client's financial goals and develop an adequate plan for saving and investing that fits the client's individual needs.

Working as a Financial Manager

If you choose to work as a financial manager, you will be responsible for the overall financial health of a business. Also, monitoring and reporting on a company’s finances is a core role too. Hence, having a master degree in finance prepares you to become a financial manager for various kinds of financial reports, including statements, forecasts and business activity reports, each for different purposes.

Financial managers determine how their companies will reach long-term goals. Apart from producing financial reports, they use this information to find methods of bringing down costs and increasing profits.

Finally, a master degree holder in finance can also manage the employees who are involved in financial reporting and budgeting roles.