Is a Career in Finance Right for You? (2024)

Is a Career in Finance Right for You? (1)

HBR Staff; Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images

Summary.

If you’re considering a career in finance, a good way to get your foot in the door and build a strong foundation for your growth typically involves pursuing one of two paths: retail finance or institutional finance. How do you know which path is right for you? Consider the following:

  • Retail finance typically involves dealing with the general public. These professionals service customers that include individual investors and small businesses. The most notable designation for finance professionals working in this space is the CFP, certified financial planner.
  • Institutional finance generally refers to working with large institutions such as banks, hedge funds, and other business entities. The premier designation in this space is the CFA, chartered financial analyst.
  • Retail finance offers the flexibility of working in almost any locale. Institutional finance often implies that you’re an employee of a large institution, and you likely will have less opportunities to work remotely.
  • Retail finance, such as being an independent financial advisor, can mean working with new customers every day, but often doing so alone. Institutional finance usually means working on a team within a department that’s part of a larger department, meaning there is more of a hierarchy.
  • People in retail finance are more likely to obtain a bachelor’s and then pursue necessary insurance and investment licenses or designations specific to their career and clientele. People in institutional finance may have to obtain a master’s to move up the ladder.
  • The average salary for afinance major is $101,038. Pursuing a career as a financial advisor or another form of financial sales can go well beyond this number, whereas a career in corporate America or the government typically stays close to it.

“Can you speak another language?” The hiring manager read the puzzled look on my face.

Is a Career in Finance Right for You? (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if finance is right for you? ›

What Traits Should I Possess? When dealing with finances, it is extremely important to be detail-oriented, organized, analytical and a good communicator.

Is finance a good career path for you? ›

Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.

Is pursuing a career in finance worth it? ›

Financial careers often involve high barriers to entry, stiff competition among applicants, and a lot of stress. Still, these jobs offer numerous perks, including a challenging work environment, interaction with highly motivated and intelligent colleagues, opportunities for advancement, and excellent pay.

Is finance a good career for introverts? ›

A job as an accountant may be a good option for those who have strong analytical skills, are good with numbers and pay close attention to details, suggests the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Introverts tend to do well in accounting positions because many require little to no contact with others.

Is finance hard if you're bad at math? ›

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.

Is finance a stressful job? ›

Wealth managers and Private Bankers are stressful jobs in finance. Finishing near the top on some surveys and further down on others, wealth managers and financial advisors deal with one particular vehicle for stress: they eat only what they kill. Wealth managers get fired nearly as often as they get hired.

What are the cons of finance career? ›

Cons of a career in finance
  • Stress: Some finance professionals find that their roles or industries feature stressful work environments. ...
  • Long hours: Employees in the financial sector might also work overtime or unusual business hours, such as evenings and weekends.
Dec 9, 2022

What is the hardest finance job to get? ›

1. Investment Banker. Roles in investing banking are highly sought after. For investment bankers, it's often a higher competition to land a role in one of the largest firms.

Is it hard getting a job in finance? ›

You don't need an MBA to work in finance, but the field is highly competitive, especially at the entry-level. Internships offer experience, exposure, and a tryout for a full-time gig.

What's the highest paying job in finance? ›

Top 5 Highest Paying Jobs in Finance
  • Chief financial officer (CFO)
  • Investment banking.
  • Hedge fund manager.
  • Private equity associate.
  • Actuary.
Feb 6, 2024

Are finance majors oversaturated? ›

At number one we have finance. Given that this is one of the majors with the highest upside. while also being incredibly easy academic wise and extremely popular, you betcha this one is oversaturated and super competitive.

How difficult is a finance degree? ›

Is Finance a Hard Major? Finance is a somewhat difficult major. The difficulty with finance comes down to its concepts that students would not have experienced before in their lives, the financial lingo in the field, and the concentration of math in the subject.

What is the best major for an introvert? ›

10 Best Majors and Careers for Introverts
  • Accounting. Accounting majors study financial accounting, accounting information systems, and auditing. ...
  • Actuarial Science. Actuarial science majors study risk theory, economics, and probability. ...
  • Architecture. ...
  • Art. ...
  • Computer Science. ...
  • Engineering. ...
  • Graphic Design. ...
  • Information Technology.

What is the best job for an introvert person? ›

Whether you're someone who prefers to work in quiet environments or simply want the flexibility to work independently, consider pursuing one of these careers:
  • Digital (UX) designer. ...
  • Technical writer. ...
  • Occupational health and safety specialist. ...
  • Accountant and auditor. ...
  • Market research analyst. ...
  • Film and video editor. ...
  • Millwright.
Mar 20, 2024

What business major is best for introverts? ›

25 business degree jobs for introverts
  • Accountant. ...
  • Auditor. ...
  • Treasurer. ...
  • Data analyst. ...
  • Financial analyst. ...
  • Business analyst. ...
  • Financial controller. ...
  • Director of information technology.
Apr 18, 2024

How do I know if I will get finance? ›

The only way to find out if you'll be accepted for a loan is to apply. Yet that leaves a mark on your credit file that other lenders can see, potentially affecting your ability to get future credit. This tool finds out your chances of getting loans before you apply, helping you apply for the right loan first time.

How do you know if you are financially fit? ›

Financial stability can be defined differently for each person, but there are some common indicators of being financially secure. Signs of financial stability include following a budget, living below your means, saving money consistently, prioritizing debt repayment, and paying bills on time.

How do you know if you are in a good financial position? ›

A healthy financial position usually means having a low debt-to-income ratio that won't give you nightmares. You're not drowning in debt; you're in control and making progress towards being debt-free. An emergency fund is like your secret weapon.

How do you know if you are doing well financially? ›

7 signs you're financially healthy even if you don't feel like it — how many do you have?
  • Don't miss. ...
  • You don't try to signal your wealth. ...
  • You have an emergency fund of at least $2,000. ...
  • You're able to meet your spending and savings targets. ...
  • You live below your means. ...
  • You keep your debt manageable.
Feb 21, 2024

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