Master of Finance graduates are in high demand internationally. 94% of firms in Central and South Asia and 83% in Western Europe want to hire these graduates in 2022.
This suggests that businesses employed more Master of Finance graduates than graduates of other specialized master’s programs, such as Master of Business Analytics and Master of Accounting.
Furthermore, Master of Finance program alumni excel not only in finance-related occupations. Two-thirds of global technology companies stated they would hire Master of Finance graduates in 2022, a larger percentage than finance and accounting firms.
But why are Master of Finance graduates so employable? What transferable skills do students gain from this specialized degree that make them so highly valued?
We reviewed the Master of Science in Finance program at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. W. P. Carey students graduate with a strong foundation for their future jobs, thanks to a program that combines technical knowledge and soft skill growth.
1. Students acquire necessary technological skills.
According to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey 2023, technology, software, and programming abilities are expected to rise in importance during the next five years.
Fortunately, students at the W. P. Carey School of Business immerse themselves in technology during their nine-month Master of Finance program.
Students learn the Python programming language through a series of classes. At the same time, AI and Machine Learning Applications in Finance is a discussion-based course that teaches students about the future of finance.
Blockchain was one of the specific technologies mentioned by business recruiters as being beneficial to graduates. This is another area where W. P. Carey alumni can claim additional knowledge, as the add-on analytical techniques track (which extends the nine-month curriculum to 16 months) includes a dedicated lesson on blockchain.
This technological skill also enables students to seek for high graduate earnings. In 2023, W. P. Carey alumni earned an average Master of Finance salary of $76,545, which was greater than the Master of Accounting or Master of Taxation and Data Analytics programs.
2. Master of Finance. Graduates learn to use decision-making in finance.
There are numerous occupations in finance that require more than just technical abilities. The ability to make decisions is critical for top-level organizational leadership, such as a chief financial officer.
However, even as a financial advisor or financial manager, you will be required to make critical judgments on behalf of companies and clients, necessitating the capacity to weigh options and make informed decisions.
So, as part of the basic courses for the master’s degree in finance at W. P. Carey, students develop crucial soft skills such as critical thinking, risk management, and decision-making.
Furthermore, the final capstone project allows students to apply their knowledge to a specific aspect of financial management, such as investing and corporate finance. Students who pick the analytical techniques track can receive hands-on experience in project management and financial decision-making through an integrated internship.
3. Students learn at the interface between finance and data.
To succeed in future finance occupations, finance graduates will need a more broad education. As the finance industry’s digital revolution accelerates, graduates require a “wholistic business education” to fulfill evolving demands and obligations.
Data analysis is increasingly important for financial managers. With more businesses relying on big data to make decisions, finance professionals must understand how to evaluate data and share insights with others in the organization.
As a result, W. P. Carey’s Master of Finance program provides enough opportunities for students to practice data analysis. For example, the analytical techniques track includes a session on data mining, which introduces students to predictive analytics and data decision-making.
Separately, Master of Finance students are looking into how to leverage data visualization to increase operational efficiency and harness the potential of data across departments.
Finally, it is not surprising that businesses place a high value on Master of Finance graduates. With a combination of advanced technical knowledge and transferable abilities in data analysis and project management, these graduates excel in fields other than finance.
Previous Master of Finance graduates at W. P. Carey have found different employment at Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Vanguard. 93% of students find work within six months of graduation.
The W. P. Carey Master of Finance program is STEM-certified, which may allow students to get a student visa extension upon graduation. This will be perfect for researching the many roles in finance and technology in the United States.
