mit master of finance essay sample

mit master of finance essay sample

The Importance of a Master of Finance Degree

1. Introduction

We should bear in mind that education on finance alone does not make one a better trader. It definitely provides the edge in understanding the mechanics of the market. This is an elite profession, and this privilege is reflected by the relatively high salaries. This field is somewhat different from those who have advanced degrees in other professions such as law or medicine, who by nature are not excluded from certain tasks and responsibilities. In finance, on the other hand, a non-degree recipient might not even be considered for such a task. For this same reason, advanced training on finance is essential for those who need to make a lucrative career in finance.

For some individuals interested in specialized professions, a master of finance degree is the only way to attain the level of knowledge and expertise necessary in today’s competitive marketplace. These advanced opportunities can only be obtained by formal education at the post-college level. For those hoping to pursue jobs in the more lucrative financial industry, the education should be obtained in a professional or specialized setting. A large number of well-paying jobs call for scandalous education to even be considered as a candidate. For example, a futures trader, who trades on public commodities markets, cannot find employment without proper education.

2. Benefits of a Master of Finance Degree

Financial examiners review commercial and personal financial services should be up-to-date and follow rules creating competitive markets and ensure proper financial control of a company or industry.

Financial analysts project future economic events necessary for an investment’s decision-making process. Their role is difficult, as security analysts manage significant company-specific responsibilities. Investment professionals also offer advice to individuals and groups around budgeting and investment. A robust method for ensuring trustworthy people is often reliant on proactively achieved investment objectives and strategic asset planning.

Financial managers lead by example, mastering quantitative analysis and making effective decisions which lead to a firm’s success. They ensure that financial strategies in companies are robust and fundamental operations efficiently support the business goals. Master of Finance graduates usually have extensive expertise and perhaps a CPA, CFA, or a specialized MBA.

Master of Finance graduates can expect above-average job growth in the finance industry. Here are a few of the different career paths that students who obtain a Master of Finance degree commonly follow. The work environment and extent of specialization required for these professions are varied, offering students the flexibility to be able to identify a career path that suits their unique interests and skill set.

3. Career Opportunities with a Master of Finance Degree

The Master of Finance degree is conferred upon students who have successfully completed a substantial nine-month program of full-time on-campus study covering both finance and related business disciplines. Drawing on the extraordinary talents and international experiences of their world-class faculty, they create an unparalleled learning environment. A Master of Finance degree provides rigorous training in finance, enabling students to have careers in finance departments, typically in banks or private corporations.

With recent events such as the FDIC closing, protecting and preventing shareholder losses, particularly on the private equity side, continue to be of paramount concern. Reconstruction of the once robust U.S. securitization market has been slow, heightening market liquidity concerns. The good news is that finance folks play a big role in bringing about greater regulation, stability, and responsible measures that help open the lending channels. The foremost challenge for the immediate future will be keeping credit flowing until capital markets normalize. This will not only be spurred by fiscal and monetary policies but also by sound business planning and acid stress testing by the financial community. Critical to the effort will be expertise derived from the risk management area as it involves fundamental knowledge of engineering and statistical principles.

Many companies are seeking professionals with strong conceptual and quantitative skills. The Master in Finance programs could be an interesting option for someone who enjoys quantitative practical work and would like to pursue a Master’s level degree. Recent graduates with a Master of Finance degree are finding all the major aspects of finance very attractive, he says. It’s hard to imagine a business that doesn’t benefit from having some finance folks around.

4. Admission Requirements for a Master of Finance Program

Applicants will be assessed formally or informally. Selection processes vary from country to country according to which assessment procedures are established by law. Some specialized courses accept students with several years of relevant professional experience or directly from the business right after their respective degree. They should obtain a strong upper-second class first degree in a financially relevant discipline with a numerical emphasis. English speaking equivalent may include engineering and physics. Students from other tracks should attend recourses before enrolling on the master of finance program. The duration of the transition course might vary from three weeks to three months. Strong candidates with other similar qualifications may be considered as well.

Admissions in colleges are not only written exams with by-the-book type of questions, along with aptitude tests. Admission requirements for a master of finance vary from course to course and from college to college based on the course curriculum of the school. Wherever school a student wants to pursue a master of finance degree, they will always have to comply with the set requirements to be in. Enrolling in a master of finance program should have a first degree in a financially relevant discipline, such as economics, management, business studies or administration from a recognized university with grade not below a good second-class honor division 2 or equivalent. Business-minded undergraduates from other fields and fresh graduates who have some accrediting work-related experiences can still take this as a requirement for admission to a master of finance program.

It can be very confusing to decide what type of course to pursue, like what academic degree to earn in college, or what post-graduate degree to complete, like a master’s degree in finance. People who take their secondary or higher school level or “what-to-do-with-life” stage seriously are the ones who mostly think about what they want in their academic future. Some people may know what they really want their whole lives and confidently choose where to go or who to seek help to decide about what really is the best choice in all ways. There are courses and specializations that could be the right choice, especially to those who are business-minded and seek more marketing techniques combined with financial planning mastery.

5. Conclusion

In a 2008 interview, the head of investment banking at Bear Stearns was asked the value of an MFin degree. His reply was typical of the many opinions we receive that the degree is valuable across multiple functions within the financial services industry, saying, “The MFin degree is more than just four or five courses in finance. It provides an excellent mix of theory and practice, proven problem-solving abilities, and teaches students to be very skilled at Excel and their coding abilities will be much better than your average quant. We have seen those with MFin degrees rise to the occasion and quickly transition onto our equities risk management desk where they consistently excel. Some of our best hires have, in fact, come from the MIT MFin program.” So, if you’re considering a career in the world of finance, consider pursuing a Master of Finance degree. It can offer you valuable skills and powerful advantages that can provide you a competitive edge in the industry.

Earners of the Master of Finance degree gain the financial acumen essential in today’s corporate world. With the toolkit presented in the MFin curriculum, you can distinguish yourself in searching for employment within the finance industry. Marketplace finance executives are increasingly looking for new hires with the knowledge to address evolving global opportunities and risks within this dynamic environment. “It’s essential to have knowledge of quantitative analysis, of data analysis, of understanding financial markets, and financial news. This is absolutely, absolutely essential.”

The Master of Finance degree is an increasingly valuable adjunct to just about any type of college degree, from political science to mathematics to engineering. The MFin goes far beyond charts, graphs, and number crunching, allowing students to dig into intellectual and quantitative analysis that’s essential to enterprise strategy. The Master of Finance provides students not only with domain expertise, but focused skills for a career in finance.