If you have a head for numbers, you’ll find a career in finance exciting and challenging. Finance is an art-one that can make or break a profitable or even a non profitable enterprise. Surveys indicate that finance is one of the fastest growing industries, with credit agencies, banks and financial services witnessing the most growth.

What does a Career in Finance Entail?

In layman’s language, finance is the science of administering and managing money. Almost every firm and government agency has a financial department which is responsible for overseeing the preparation of financial reports, implementing cash management strategies and directing investment activities.

Some of the most popular financial careers are:

Commercial Banking

Corporate Finance

Financial Planning

Insurance

Investment Banking

Money Management

Real Estate

Consumer Credit

Securities

How to Start a Career in Finance

1. Assess Your Skills

Before deciding that you’re destined for Wall Street, it’s a great idea to realistically evaluate your strengths. Knowledge of mathematics and computers, the ability to analyze and solve problems, and, strong communication and interpersonal skills are invaluable assets. Moreover, an eye for detail, a head for research and a taste for understanding federal and international tax laws, the money market and economics in general will help you go a long way.

2. Get Educated

Financial services could prove to be an esoteric field. A sound degree is almost mandatory to make it to the top.

Types of Degrees

If you’d like to test the waters before launching into a finance career, an associate's degree is an excellent place to start. Not only will it equip you with formal knowledge, it will also prove to be the background for pursuing more advanced degrees in the future.

If you’re serious about entering the job market, a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, mathematics, statistics or economics will help you gain an entry-level position. A Master's or an MBA program increases your chance of entering into crucial decision making positions.

You could also pursue a number of related degrees like marketing, business taxation, financial engineering, actuarial science and financial planning.

3. Get an Internship, Volunteer or Work Part Time

All of these are great ways to hone your skills and figure out if your interest in finance is more than a passing fancy. Finance offers you a plethora of career options and an internship will help you figure out what your area of interest is.

4. Network

There will always be online forums, associations, trade journals and clubs where you can meet like-minded people and stay in the loop about the latest advancements in your area of interest. A strong network not only helps you land that first job, it will also help you move up the corporate ladder. Remember that human relations and interpersonal skills are an essential part of a successful finance career.