9 Signs You Have What It Takes to Major in Finance (2024)

FAQs

9 Signs You Have What It Takes to Major in Finance? ›

Understanding money is central to the finance major, so you should be detail-oriented and comfortable working with numbers. At the same time, work in finance also involves a lot of interaction with other people, so communication skills are also important.

Understanding money is central to the finance major, so you should be detail-oriented and comfortable working with numbers. At the same time, work in finance also involves a lot of interaction with other people, so communication skills are also important.

Individuals with analytical minds and strong attention to detail make good candidates for in-demand careers in finance. This field offers many roles beyond trading on the stock exchange floor, though many positions still include financial forecasting and investments for businesses and clients.

You practice using mathematical concepts, statistics, and analytical tools to solve problems and make decisions. With a finance degree, you can prepare for a career as a financial planner, financial analyst, commercial banker, investment manager, and more.

Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.

“Finance and Business Analytics obviously require some math, but the math typically in the MBA program is much more applied math,” Balan says. “If you have a general understanding of college algebra, that usually is sufficient. You don't need more theoretical math.”

Overall, finance students rate their satisfaction with their degree a 3.1 out of 5.

Why are you interested in a career in finance? I'm interested in a career in finance because it offers a dynamic environment that combines analytical thinking with strategic problem-solving. Finance roles impact businesses fundamentally and globally, providing a platform for continuous learning and growth.

Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators. That said, there are some basic math skills that would certainly make you a better candidate in the finance industry.

The skills gained through finance coursework can be universally applied in not only financial services but also business (even life) in general. Finance majors build knowledge related to nearly every operational area of an organization, including accounting, sales and lead generation, human resources, and marketing.

Is finance a good major for introverts? ›

Financial Manager Positions

These financial management positions include controllers, treasurers, credit managers, cash managers, risk managers and insurance managers. Since each of these positions requires strong analytical skills along with the ability to work independently, introverts tend to make ideal candidates.

This usually isn't set in stone, but you may have trouble getting an interview with under a 3.5 GPA is you simply apply through normal channels and hope. For target schools and semi-targets, there is a bit more leeway given to GPA. For a non-target you will probably want to aim for a 3.7+ GPA.

Still, a career in finance isn't for everyone. If talking about money bores you, for example, you might want to choose a different path. Similarly, if math was never your subject, it's not a dealbreaker, but it is a skill you'll need to practice regularly in this field.

Students who enjoy numbers, money management, and data analysis may be well-served by pursuing a degree in finance. An accredited finance degree program can help them qualify for one of these positions. Overall, a finance degree is worth it for many aspiring professionals.

One key sign that your major isn't right for you is that you no longer enjoy what you're studying. Obviously, college is a lot of hard work. Not every class, lecture, and semester will be a party. But you should be interested in and intrigued by at least some of the content you study.