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A Master’s in Finance opens opportunities in banking, insurance, and government. Organizations need people who can analyze financial data and maximize profit. You can also advise individuals as a personal financial adviser. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that financial analysts, advisors, and managers will have a faster than average rate of growth. A Master’s in Finance will give you an edge over job candidates with only a Bachelor’s degree. Plus, you will be able to start at a higher level of pay. The median pay for financial analysts was $81,760 in 2016. Personal financial advisors and financial managers earned $90,530 and $121,750, respectively. First, you need to finish your degree. Here are 10 great online resources that will help.
Investopedia
Investopedia is a hub of financial information, but the financial dictionary will quickly become your favorite source when you can’t remember what an acronym stands for, need a definition or formula, or want an example with more detail than the one in your textbook. Investopedia even has a catalog of Excel formulas that you can copy and paste. When you are ready to practice your new financial knowledge, Investopedia has a free stock market simulation game that gives you play money to buy stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Finally, Investopedia offers free study guides for the exams you will need for certification.
Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
If you aren’t already in the habit of reading WSJ every day, then start now. It will give you the current information you need to contribute to conversations about current events. A regular subscription can be pricey, but WSJ offers generous student discounts. A student subscription will also give you access to the WSJ archives. Even if you don’t have time to read every article, at least the headlines the Asian, European, and Indian editions. The order of headlines will differ by region, giving you guidance on what is affecting markets in that specific part of the world.
Financial Times
The Financial Times (FT) has a long history (129 years) of reporting international business and finance news. The FT has 600 reporters stationed in 40 countries who report around the clock. If you need obscure, historic or current information about a specific country or region, FT will have it. You can find numbers for anything from net auto sales in Mexico to retail sales in the Czech Republic. An Asian media firm bought FT in 2015, so expect even higher quality coverage of China and India in the future.
CFO Magazine
It’s not too early to start preparing for the CFO office. A Master’s in Finance gives you the formal education you need, but you also need resources like CFO Magazine to navigate the career ladder all the way to the top. CFO Magazine shows how finance professionals are applying knowledge to solve real-life problems. Pay attention to CFOs on the Move in the Human Capital and Careers section to follow the careers of leaders in the finance field. Watch job listings and company news to learn insider details about the financial industry. You can use the coverage in CFO Magazine to start a list of places to apply when you finish your degree.
Harvard Business Review Harvard Business Review (HBR) is a monthly publication associated with Harvard Business School. The articles are more scholarly than you will find in daily newspapers. Most of the authors are business professors at top schools. HBR also has a vast collection of case studies that are used in the Harvard curriculum that you may find useful for paper and project ideas. HBR offers student discounts, but you will need an institution code from your school.
China Daily
The Chinese government controls what information is printed., so view the stories in China Daily with a bit of skepticism. Even when the news is slanted, it is still beneficial to know the official reasoning behind government policies. Often the spin is just as useful than the facts in international finance. Use a research site like BMI Research to find a more balanced analysis that will help you put the news in perspective.
Crash Course in Excel
Employers expect someone with a degree in Finance to be an Excel wizard. Almost every finance class will include a project that uses Excel. Instead of learning as you go, put aside a weekend to take an Excel course. There are several courses available, but Wall Street Prep offers a solid course that will show you how to use financial data add-ins and all the tools Excel offers that are useful for financial analysis. Once you are comfortable with Excel, you can also use Investopedia to look up formulas as you need them.
Purdue OWL
You will need to write many papers to earn your Master’s in Finance. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)will help you with the research process. Purdue OWL offers a grammar review, citation examples, and other writing tips. If you aren’t familiar with the style guide required by your school (usually APA or MLA), then use Purdue OWL’s APA workshop or MLA videos for guidance.
The knowledge you acquire earning a finance degree is important, but the relationships you build with professors and other students may be even more important as your career progresses. Spend time getting to know the people around you and connecting on LinkedIn and other social media sites. Follow the names of leaders in the finance industry that you find in CFO Magazine. Most importantly, keep your profile information current so that recruiters can find you.
GlassDoor
When the recruiters find you, use Glass Door to research the companies they represent. Glass Door collects employee reviews of companies, interview questions, and tips on getting hired. It is the best way to see the inside of a company from an employee’s viewpoint. You can upload your resume for prospective employers or search the job listings.
Use these online resources to help you earn your degree. A Master’s in Finance is a stepping stone to a challenging career in the financial services industry.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Finance Degrees
