7 answers
Joseph
Student
Saint Francis, Minnesota
4
Questions
Asked
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What should I do now to help me get a career in finance?
Is there anything I can do now as a Sophomore in High School to get a career in finance? I am 15 years old and right now I am researching collages and learning to manage stress.
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7 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Joseph, there are many different types of programs available to high school students interested in learning finance over the summer. One of the primary differences is the virtual vs. in-person learning options. Remote classes are a convenient way for students to access quality education without commuting, especially if they live in a more remote area. The available courses also vary in length and daily time commitment. Some programs are more intensive, while others require only a few hours per day, meaning that students with jobs or other summer commitments can still participate. A final key difference between these programs is where they take place. Private companies offer some, but many are available in partnership with prestigious universities. These programs usually offer students the opportunity to live on campus in the dorms for the class duration. These programs might be especially appealing to students who are planning to apply for college and want to learn more about university life.
💰 NEXTGEN BOOTCAMP offers an Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program for high school students who are passionate about learning essential business skills. The course starts with simple Excel techniques like data entry and shortcuts before moving into more advanced topics like Pivot Tables and automation. Students will also learn to conduct thoughtful investment research by analyzing stock prices. This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in Excel or other financial software. The only requirement is that students possess basic computer skills before enrolling. NextGen offers their finance summer program both in-person and online. The campus is located in New York City near several public transportation options for students who plan to commute. Students who participate virtually will use Zoom to communicate with their classmates and instructor. Enrolling in a summer program to learn about finance is beneficial for several reasons. First, you’ll build relationships with your classmates and instructors that have the potential to last a lifetime. These connections can lead to exciting networking opportunities, mainly since some of these programs include excursions to Wall Street and other finance hubs. Many courses also teach fundamental skills with Microsoft Excel, a highly marketable and transferable skill. Many employers require proficiency in Excel even if you don’t end up working in finance. These courses present you with a unique opportunity to learn how to manage their money at a young age. Being armed with this knowledge could help you avoid some common financial pitfalls like being unable to afford a home or not saving enough to retire. Regardless of your ultimate career path, gaining personal money management skills is a wise investment.
💰 NEXTGEN BOOTCAMP offers an Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program for high school students who are passionate about learning essential business skills. The course starts with simple Excel techniques like data entry and shortcuts before moving into more advanced topics like Pivot Tables and automation. Students will also learn to conduct thoughtful investment research by analyzing stock prices. This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in Excel or other financial software. The only requirement is that students possess basic computer skills before enrolling. NextGen offers their finance summer program both in-person and online. The campus is located in New York City near several public transportation options for students who plan to commute. Students who participate virtually will use Zoom to communicate with their classmates and instructor. Enrolling in a summer program to learn about finance is beneficial for several reasons. First, you’ll build relationships with your classmates and instructors that have the potential to last a lifetime. These connections can lead to exciting networking opportunities, mainly since some of these programs include excursions to Wall Street and other finance hubs. Many courses also teach fundamental skills with Microsoft Excel, a highly marketable and transferable skill. Many employers require proficiency in Excel even if you don’t end up working in finance. These courses present you with a unique opportunity to learn how to manage their money at a young age. Being armed with this knowledge could help you avoid some common financial pitfalls like being unable to afford a home or not saving enough to retire. Regardless of your ultimate career path, gaining personal money management skills is a wise investment.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6180
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Joseph!
Steps to Prepare for a Career in Finance as a High School Sophomore
1. Understand the Basics of Finance To begin your journey into finance, it’s essential to understand the fundamental concepts. This includes learning about financial markets, investment strategies, personal finance management, and economic principles. You can find resources online, such as Khan Academy or Investopedia, which offer free courses and articles on these topics.
2. Take Relevant Courses As a sophomore in high school, focus on taking courses that will build your knowledge base in finance. Classes in mathematics (especially statistics and calculus), economics, and business studies are particularly beneficial. If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses like AP Economics or AP Statistics, consider enrolling in those.
3. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities Participating in clubs related to finance can enhance your understanding and provide networking opportunities. Consider joining a finance club, an investment club, or even student government where you can manage budgets and funds. Additionally, participating in competitions such as DECA or the National Economics Challenge can provide practical experience.
4. Seek Internships or Job Shadowing Opportunities While it may be challenging to find formal internships at 15 years old, look for job shadowing opportunities with local businesses or professionals in the finance sector. This experience will give you insight into daily operations and help you build connections within the industry.
5. Network with Professionals Start building your professional network early by attending career fairs or local business events where you can meet finance professionals. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with individuals working in finance fields that interest you.
6. Develop Soft Skills Finance is not just about numbers; communication skills are crucial as well. Work on developing soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication through group projects or volunteer work.
7. Stay Informed About Financial News Regularly read financial news from reputable sources like The Wall Street Journal or Bloomberg to stay updated on market trends and economic changes. Understanding current events will help you contextualize what you learn academically.
8. Plan for College Research colleges that have strong finance programs and consider their admission requirements early on so that you can tailor your high school experience accordingly. Look for schools that offer internships or co-op programs as part of their curriculum.
9. Consider Certifications Although still early in your career path, consider looking into certifications that could enhance your resume later on—such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program—once you’re eligible after college.
By following these steps diligently during your high school years, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a successful career in finance upon graduation.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
Khan Academy: A widely recognized educational platform offering free online courses covering various subjects including economics and personal finance.
Investopedia: A comprehensive resource for financial education providing articles and tutorials on investment strategies and financial concepts.
The Wall Street Journal: A leading source of financial news that provides insights into market trends and economic developments essential for anyone pursuing a career in finance.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
Steps to Prepare for a Career in Finance as a High School Sophomore
1. Understand the Basics of Finance To begin your journey into finance, it’s essential to understand the fundamental concepts. This includes learning about financial markets, investment strategies, personal finance management, and economic principles. You can find resources online, such as Khan Academy or Investopedia, which offer free courses and articles on these topics.
2. Take Relevant Courses As a sophomore in high school, focus on taking courses that will build your knowledge base in finance. Classes in mathematics (especially statistics and calculus), economics, and business studies are particularly beneficial. If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses like AP Economics or AP Statistics, consider enrolling in those.
3. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities Participating in clubs related to finance can enhance your understanding and provide networking opportunities. Consider joining a finance club, an investment club, or even student government where you can manage budgets and funds. Additionally, participating in competitions such as DECA or the National Economics Challenge can provide practical experience.
4. Seek Internships or Job Shadowing Opportunities While it may be challenging to find formal internships at 15 years old, look for job shadowing opportunities with local businesses or professionals in the finance sector. This experience will give you insight into daily operations and help you build connections within the industry.
5. Network with Professionals Start building your professional network early by attending career fairs or local business events where you can meet finance professionals. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with individuals working in finance fields that interest you.
6. Develop Soft Skills Finance is not just about numbers; communication skills are crucial as well. Work on developing soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication through group projects or volunteer work.
7. Stay Informed About Financial News Regularly read financial news from reputable sources like The Wall Street Journal or Bloomberg to stay updated on market trends and economic changes. Understanding current events will help you contextualize what you learn academically.
8. Plan for College Research colleges that have strong finance programs and consider their admission requirements early on so that you can tailor your high school experience accordingly. Look for schools that offer internships or co-op programs as part of their curriculum.
9. Consider Certifications Although still early in your career path, consider looking into certifications that could enhance your resume later on—such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program—once you’re eligible after college.
By following these steps diligently during your high school years, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a successful career in finance upon graduation.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
Khan Academy: A widely recognized educational platform offering free online courses covering various subjects including economics and personal finance.
Investopedia: A comprehensive resource for financial education providing articles and tutorials on investment strategies and financial concepts.
The Wall Street Journal: A leading source of financial news that provides insights into market trends and economic developments essential for anyone pursuing a career in finance.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
Stephen Trent
Equity Research
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hello Joseph. In high school, I would load up on math and economics classes. The better you understand these subjects, the better positioned you'll be to pursue a finance track. Best of luck.
Eric Packer
Structural engineer
91
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Joseph, personally, I do not recommend that you take any specific and significant steps at this stage in your life to prepare you for a career in finance. There will be plenty of opportunities to do so as you start college but, for now, I simply recommend that you enjoy exploring the world of finance in an enjoyable manner. While you continue to stay focused on doing well in your high school classes and extracurriculars, you can enjoy learning about finance in some of the ways that others have recommended, such as perusing the Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch. You will probably have the opportunity to take an economics class in high school and I would say that you do not want to miss that opportunity. Enjoy learning about economics outside of class, learning about monetary policy and trying to observe how our economy responds to certain policies and market drivers that influence scarcity and price. The more you observe now the easier it will be in your studies to apply those observations to microeconomics within the finance world. All the best.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1816
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in finance.
Below are my suggestions :
1. There are many careers in finance you can consider, e.g. finance manager, financial analyst, accounting, fund accounting, fund manager, etc. You can find out more finance related careers online. There is plenty of information.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working on these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. There are many careers in finance you can consider, e.g. finance manager, financial analyst, accounting, fund accounting, fund manager, etc. You can find out more finance related careers online. There is plenty of information.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working on these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
342
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Joseph:
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Finance. Physics and chemistry will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, statistics, geometry and calculus will be needed. Other classes to take will be computer science, economics, business, finance and applied technology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail and observation skills; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration amongst team members, partner departments and clients occur on a daily basis. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills since analysis reports are generated and findings are presented to colleagues and other professionals who deal with Finance. Another recommendation is to seek the advice from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. They can help guide your educational pathway for Finance.
According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the top colleges and universities for Finance Majors:
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- University of Texas (Austin)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Boston College
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Indiana University (Bloomington)
- Cornell University
- University of Virginia
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and to gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Finance!
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Finance. Physics and chemistry will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, statistics, geometry and calculus will be needed. Other classes to take will be computer science, economics, business, finance and applied technology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail and observation skills; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration amongst team members, partner departments and clients occur on a daily basis. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills since analysis reports are generated and findings are presented to colleagues and other professionals who deal with Finance. Another recommendation is to seek the advice from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. They can help guide your educational pathway for Finance.
According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the top colleges and universities for Finance Majors:
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- University of Texas (Austin)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Boston College
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Indiana University (Bloomington)
- Cornell University
- University of Virginia
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and to gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Finance!
Vlad Elizarov
Business Analyst
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Vlad’s Answer
Hi Joseph, Others have mentioned great resources and good ways to build up knowledge of the industry and understanding of the different roles that are available. I would also include checking out Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at your high school, or if a chapter doesn't exist, you can reach out to set one up! Staying on top of the news is also important, in addition to WSJ mentioned above, I also recommend TEconomics (Free) and MarketWatch. Another big piece of advice that I will give is to take the FINRA Series Industry Essentials exam when you're 18. This is a great way to build a strong foundation for Markets while also showing companies that you are serious about a career in finance and are willing to get the certifications if need be. Good luck!