7 answers
Vicky
Student
3
Questions
Asked
985 views
Should I pursue a career in finance or graphic design?
I like finance and graphic design equally. Finance can be a little be challenging and need a lot of math classes in order to get that degree. For graphic design, i thought it might be easier since it’s creative performance and stuff. Finance positions does pay a lot more than graphic designer. But I’m not sure if I will like finance in the future, because it can also be a very boring job of just processing numbers and stuff.
Additionally, do you know what college that is suitable for graphic design and what college for finance major in areas in or near New York City (Includes Long Island)? Maybe even a college within those areas that have both majors.
Login to comment
7 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Greetings Vicky!
Embarking on a Finance Career
The finance sector is all about the effective management and organization of monetary matters, encompassing areas like investments, banking, and accounting. It's a demanding field that necessitates a solid grounding in mathematics and economics. To earn a finance degree, you'll likely be studying subjects such as financial management, financial accounting, investments, econometrics, and financial markets.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2020, the median yearly income for financial analysts stood at $83,660. Financial managers, on the other hand, had a median yearly income of $134,180. Nevertheless, it's crucial to remember that a finance career can be rigorous and stressful, often involving long work hours and stringent deadlines.
Embarking on a Graphic Design Career
Graphic design is a creative field that entails the production of visual content for a variety of mediums, including print, digital, and multimedia. It demands creativity, technical prowess, and a grasp of aesthetics and design principles. A graphic design degree usually includes courses in typography, color theory, visual composition, digital imaging, and web design.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median yearly salary for graphic designers was $53,380 in May 2020. Although the salary might not be as high as in finance, graphic design can provide greater work-life balance and avenues for creative expression.
Suggested Colleges for Finance and Graphic Design Majors
In and around New York City (including Long Island), several colleges offer both finance and graphic design majors:
New York University (NYU) - NYU provides both finance and graphic design programs via its Stern School of Business and Tisch School of the Arts. The university is situated in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.
Fordham University - Fordham University offers finance and graphic design programs through its Gabelli School of Business and Art & Design Department. The university operates campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan.
Stony Brook University - Stony Brook University offers finance and graphic design programs through its College of Business and Department of Art. The university is located in Suffolk County on Long Island.
Hofstra University - Hofstra University provides finance and graphic design programs through its Frank G. Zarb School of Business and Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. The university is situated in Nassau County on Long Island.
Columbia University - Columbia University offers finance and graphic design programs through its Columbia Business School and School of the Arts. The university is located in upper Manhattan.
Credible References Used:
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Financial Analysts | Graphic Designers | Financial Managers
New York University - Stern School of Business | Tisch School of Arts | Undergraduate Programs | Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design | Undergraduate Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Dear Vicky, I trust this information will assist you in making a well-informed decision about your career trajectory! Be sure to select a major that aligns with your passions and strengths, while also keeping in mind potential job prospects and salary scales.**
Blessings,
JC.
Embarking on a Finance Career
The finance sector is all about the effective management and organization of monetary matters, encompassing areas like investments, banking, and accounting. It's a demanding field that necessitates a solid grounding in mathematics and economics. To earn a finance degree, you'll likely be studying subjects such as financial management, financial accounting, investments, econometrics, and financial markets.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2020, the median yearly income for financial analysts stood at $83,660. Financial managers, on the other hand, had a median yearly income of $134,180. Nevertheless, it's crucial to remember that a finance career can be rigorous and stressful, often involving long work hours and stringent deadlines.
Embarking on a Graphic Design Career
Graphic design is a creative field that entails the production of visual content for a variety of mediums, including print, digital, and multimedia. It demands creativity, technical prowess, and a grasp of aesthetics and design principles. A graphic design degree usually includes courses in typography, color theory, visual composition, digital imaging, and web design.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median yearly salary for graphic designers was $53,380 in May 2020. Although the salary might not be as high as in finance, graphic design can provide greater work-life balance and avenues for creative expression.
Suggested Colleges for Finance and Graphic Design Majors
In and around New York City (including Long Island), several colleges offer both finance and graphic design majors:
New York University (NYU) - NYU provides both finance and graphic design programs via its Stern School of Business and Tisch School of the Arts. The university is situated in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.
Fordham University - Fordham University offers finance and graphic design programs through its Gabelli School of Business and Art & Design Department. The university operates campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan.
Stony Brook University - Stony Brook University offers finance and graphic design programs through its College of Business and Department of Art. The university is located in Suffolk County on Long Island.
Hofstra University - Hofstra University provides finance and graphic design programs through its Frank G. Zarb School of Business and Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. The university is situated in Nassau County on Long Island.
Columbia University - Columbia University offers finance and graphic design programs through its Columbia Business School and School of the Arts. The university is located in upper Manhattan.
Credible References Used:
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Financial Analysts | Graphic Designers | Financial Managers
New York University - Stern School of Business | Tisch School of Arts | Undergraduate Programs | Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design | Undergraduate Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Dear Vicky, I trust this information will assist you in making a well-informed decision about your career trajectory! Be sure to select a major that aligns with your passions and strengths, while also keeping in mind potential job prospects and salary scales.**
Blessings,
JC.
Your advice is so well detailed! I really appreciate your time and afford to answer my question! Thank you so much! I will sure keep that in mind in the future!
Vicky
Anika S
Software Engineer Intern
100
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Vicky,
Choosing Between Finance and Graphic Design
To help you decide between finance and graphic design, consider the following aspects of each field:
Finance:
Career Prospects:
Stability and Growth: Finance offers a stable career with strong growth prospects. Positions such as financial analyst, financial advisor, and investment banker are in demand.
Salary: Generally, finance positions offer higher salaries compared to many creative fields.
Skills and Interests:
Analytical Skills: Requires strong analytical skills and proficiency in math. You’ll work with numbers, data analysis, and financial models.
Routine: The work can be routine and involve processing numbers, reports, and data analysis, which some may find monotonous.
Educational Requirements:
Math-Intensive: Requires taking several math and economics courses. A degree in finance or a related field is usually necessary.
Graphic Design:
Career Prospects:
Creative Opportunities: Graphic design offers numerous opportunities in various industries, including advertising, marketing, web design, and multimedia.
Salary: While generally lower than finance, skilled graphic designers can earn competitive salaries, especially with experience and a strong portfolio.
Skills and Interests:
Creativity: Requires a high level of creativity and artistic skills. You’ll work on visual content creation, branding, and digital media.
Variety: The work can be highly varied, involving different projects and clients, which can be exciting and fulfilling.
Educational Requirements:
Artistic Training: Requires education in design principles, software proficiency (like Adobe Creative Suite), and a strong portfolio. Degrees in graphic design or related fields are beneficial.
Choosing Between Finance and Graphic Design
To help you decide between finance and graphic design, consider the following aspects of each field:
Finance:
Career Prospects:
Stability and Growth: Finance offers a stable career with strong growth prospects. Positions such as financial analyst, financial advisor, and investment banker are in demand.
Salary: Generally, finance positions offer higher salaries compared to many creative fields.
Skills and Interests:
Analytical Skills: Requires strong analytical skills and proficiency in math. You’ll work with numbers, data analysis, and financial models.
Routine: The work can be routine and involve processing numbers, reports, and data analysis, which some may find monotonous.
Educational Requirements:
Math-Intensive: Requires taking several math and economics courses. A degree in finance or a related field is usually necessary.
Graphic Design:
Career Prospects:
Creative Opportunities: Graphic design offers numerous opportunities in various industries, including advertising, marketing, web design, and multimedia.
Salary: While generally lower than finance, skilled graphic designers can earn competitive salaries, especially with experience and a strong portfolio.
Skills and Interests:
Creativity: Requires a high level of creativity and artistic skills. You’ll work on visual content creation, branding, and digital media.
Variety: The work can be highly varied, involving different projects and clients, which can be exciting and fulfilling.
Educational Requirements:
Artistic Training: Requires education in design principles, software proficiency (like Adobe Creative Suite), and a strong portfolio. Degrees in graphic design or related fields are beneficial.
Thank you so much for your advice! I will surely keep that in mind!
Vicky
Stephen Trent
Equity Research
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hello Vicky. I think that pursuing your passion is very important. Although both career tracks have their ups and downs, I would also consider what path has the better long-term trajectory for you. I do not know creative design so well, but maybe give some thought about which career path faces a bigger risk from AI, etc. Best wishes.
George Katsinis Jr. - AFC®
Personal Financial Counselor
45
Answers
Salem, Oregon
Updated
George’s Answer
"... I’m not sure if I will like finance in the future because it can also be a very boring job of just processing numbers and stuff."
"Finance" is a very broad field. There are many, many different career paths within the finance field.
Just one to consider.... I work as a Personal Financial Counselor. I LOVE my work! I DO NOT "process numbers and stuff". I'm rarely bored. There's something new and different for me almost every day. I work with Service Members, Veterans, families of military... and I have a civilian side private practice. I meet and talk with people - assessing their position, and advising them to become better with money: paying down debts, growing emergency funds, improving credit score, understanding insurance, buying a car or home, investment and retirement planning, developing "Spending Plans" ( I teach people "DO NOT "BUDGET"), teaching parents how to teach their kids about money, paying for education, etc... etc... Meet individually with clients, but also lead small group, and large group classes. I prefer meeting face-to-face with people, but this work can easily be done remotely from anywhere in the world.
There is a huge demand for more professionals in my field.
Check us out: https://www.afcpe.org/
"Finance" is a very broad field. There are many, many different career paths within the finance field.
Just one to consider.... I work as a Personal Financial Counselor. I LOVE my work! I DO NOT "process numbers and stuff". I'm rarely bored. There's something new and different for me almost every day. I work with Service Members, Veterans, families of military... and I have a civilian side private practice. I meet and talk with people - assessing their position, and advising them to become better with money: paying down debts, growing emergency funds, improving credit score, understanding insurance, buying a car or home, investment and retirement planning, developing "Spending Plans" ( I teach people "DO NOT "BUDGET"), teaching parents how to teach their kids about money, paying for education, etc... etc... Meet individually with clients, but also lead small group, and large group classes. I prefer meeting face-to-face with people, but this work can easily be done remotely from anywhere in the world.
There is a huge demand for more professionals in my field.
George recommends the following next steps:
Tashnim Husain
3D Modeler & Graphic Designer
46
Answers
Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh
Updated
Tashnim’s Answer
That depends on your interests and priorities! Here's a breakdown of both fields to help you decide:
Finance:
Pros:
Potentially high earning potential: Top finance jobs can command very high salaries.
Job security: The finance industry is always needed, offering stability.
Intellectual challenge: Finance involves problem-solving, analysis, and strategic thinking.
Cons:
Stressful: Finance can be fast-paced and high-pressure, especially in certain sectors.
Long hours: Expect longer workweeks, particularly in some roles.
Less creative: Finance focuses on numbers and analysis, with less room for artistic expression.
Graphic Design:
Pros:
Creative outlet: You'll use your artistic skills to create visually appealing designs.
Variety: Many specializations in graphic design exist, like web design, marketing materials, or user interfaces.
Work-life balance: Graphic design jobs often offer more flexible hours than finance.
Cons:
Lower earning potential: While well-established designers can make good money, overall salaries tend to be lower than finance.
Competition: The field can be competitive, especially for entry-level positions.
Client revisions: Dealing with client feedback and revisions can be frustrating.
Here are some additional questions to consider:
Do you enjoy math and calculations, or are you more visually oriented?
Do you thrive in fast-paced, stressful environments, or prefer a more creative and collaborative setting?
What kind of lifestyle do you want?
Ultimately, the best career path is the one that aligns with your interests and helps you achieve your goals. Here are some resources that might help you decide:
Free online courses: Platforms like Coursera or edX offer introductory courses in both finance and graphic design to get a taste of each field.
Informational interviews: Talk to people working in both fields to learn about their day-to-day tasks and challenges.
Career aptitude tests: These tests can help identify your skills and interests to point you towards suitable career paths.
No matter what you choose, remember that both finance and graphic design have good career prospects.
Finance:
Pros:
Potentially high earning potential: Top finance jobs can command very high salaries.
Job security: The finance industry is always needed, offering stability.
Intellectual challenge: Finance involves problem-solving, analysis, and strategic thinking.
Cons:
Stressful: Finance can be fast-paced and high-pressure, especially in certain sectors.
Long hours: Expect longer workweeks, particularly in some roles.
Less creative: Finance focuses on numbers and analysis, with less room for artistic expression.
Graphic Design:
Pros:
Creative outlet: You'll use your artistic skills to create visually appealing designs.
Variety: Many specializations in graphic design exist, like web design, marketing materials, or user interfaces.
Work-life balance: Graphic design jobs often offer more flexible hours than finance.
Cons:
Lower earning potential: While well-established designers can make good money, overall salaries tend to be lower than finance.
Competition: The field can be competitive, especially for entry-level positions.
Client revisions: Dealing with client feedback and revisions can be frustrating.
Here are some additional questions to consider:
Do you enjoy math and calculations, or are you more visually oriented?
Do you thrive in fast-paced, stressful environments, or prefer a more creative and collaborative setting?
What kind of lifestyle do you want?
Ultimately, the best career path is the one that aligns with your interests and helps you achieve your goals. Here are some resources that might help you decide:
Free online courses: Platforms like Coursera or edX offer introductory courses in both finance and graphic design to get a taste of each field.
Informational interviews: Talk to people working in both fields to learn about their day-to-day tasks and challenges.
Career aptitude tests: These tests can help identify your skills and interests to point you towards suitable career paths.
No matter what you choose, remember that both finance and graphic design have good career prospects.
Ladan Alipour
Designer - Teacher
7
Answers
Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Updated
Ladan’s Answer
Hello Vicky!
That's quite a big decision you are facing! Choosing a career path is a tough choice, especially when you have multiple interests. It sounds like you are considering factors like the level of challenge, the types of classes required, the potential pay, and how much they might enjoy the work. It's great that you are thinking about all of these things.
As for colleges in or near New York City that offer majors in both finance and graphic design, there are several options. Some colleges that offer both majors include Stony Brook University, New York Institute of Technology, SUNY Oswego, Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, Fashion Institute of Technology, and St. John’s University.
Remember, visit campuses if possible, and talk to students and faculty to get a better sense of which school and major might be the best fit for you.
That's quite a big decision you are facing! Choosing a career path is a tough choice, especially when you have multiple interests. It sounds like you are considering factors like the level of challenge, the types of classes required, the potential pay, and how much they might enjoy the work. It's great that you are thinking about all of these things.
As for colleges in or near New York City that offer majors in both finance and graphic design, there are several options. Some colleges that offer both majors include Stony Brook University, New York Institute of Technology, SUNY Oswego, Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, Fashion Institute of Technology, and St. John’s University.
Remember, visit campuses if possible, and talk to students and faculty to get a better sense of which school and major might be the best fit for you.
Thank you for your advice! I will think about the colleges you had listed!
Vicky
Stacey R. - MA, MBA
Higher Education
2
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Greetings Vicky,
Choosing a career path is a significant decision, and it’s essential to consider both your interests and the practical aspects of each field. Let’s break down the factors to help you make an informed choice. Finance, if you enjoy working with numbers, analyzing data, and understanding market trends, finance could be a rewarding field. It often requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Finance can also be diverse, with opportunities in investment banking, financial planning, corporate finance, and more. Graphic Designs, this field is ideal if you have a passion for creativity, visual arts, and technology. Graphic design involves creating visual content for various media, requiring skills in design software and an eye for aesthetics. It’s a field where your work can have a tangible, visible impact.
Thinking about what you will need to be successful in pursuing a degree in finance typically requires a strong foundation in mathematics, economics, and business. Courses may include advanced math, statistics, accounting, and financial management. When it comes to graphic design, it could require a portfolio-based admission (or not), focusing on creativity and design skills. Courses may include typography, digital media, color theory, and design principles.
Let’s look at salary and employment. Finance generally offers higher starting salaries and potentially lucrative career growth. However, it can be competitive and may involve long hours, especially in fields like investment banking. Graphic Design may have lower starting salaries compared to finance, but there are opportunities for growth, especially with experience and a strong portfolio. Freelance and remote work opportunities are also more common in this field. Colleges to consider and research for Graphic Design: School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design; Finance: NY University, Fordham University, Gabeilli School of Business, and Hofstra University.
Colleges that have both majors: NY University, The New School, and St. John’s University.
Other things to consider to support you in your decision-making would be to complete some self-assessments that will help you reflect on your strengths, interests, and career goals. It will help you identify what excites you more daily. Identify some professionals in both fields and reach out for insight. Try to gain some practical experience through internships or part-time jobs in both fields to see which you enjoy more. Ultimately, the best choice aligns with your interests, strengths, and long-term career aspirations.
Choosing a career path is a significant decision, and it’s essential to consider both your interests and the practical aspects of each field. Let’s break down the factors to help you make an informed choice. Finance, if you enjoy working with numbers, analyzing data, and understanding market trends, finance could be a rewarding field. It often requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Finance can also be diverse, with opportunities in investment banking, financial planning, corporate finance, and more. Graphic Designs, this field is ideal if you have a passion for creativity, visual arts, and technology. Graphic design involves creating visual content for various media, requiring skills in design software and an eye for aesthetics. It’s a field where your work can have a tangible, visible impact.
Thinking about what you will need to be successful in pursuing a degree in finance typically requires a strong foundation in mathematics, economics, and business. Courses may include advanced math, statistics, accounting, and financial management. When it comes to graphic design, it could require a portfolio-based admission (or not), focusing on creativity and design skills. Courses may include typography, digital media, color theory, and design principles.
Let’s look at salary and employment. Finance generally offers higher starting salaries and potentially lucrative career growth. However, it can be competitive and may involve long hours, especially in fields like investment banking. Graphic Design may have lower starting salaries compared to finance, but there are opportunities for growth, especially with experience and a strong portfolio. Freelance and remote work opportunities are also more common in this field. Colleges to consider and research for Graphic Design: School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design; Finance: NY University, Fordham University, Gabeilli School of Business, and Hofstra University.
Colleges that have both majors: NY University, The New School, and St. John’s University.
Other things to consider to support you in your decision-making would be to complete some self-assessments that will help you reflect on your strengths, interests, and career goals. It will help you identify what excites you more daily. Identify some professionals in both fields and reach out for insight. Try to gain some practical experience through internships or part-time jobs in both fields to see which you enjoy more. Ultimately, the best choice aligns with your interests, strengths, and long-term career aspirations.