4 answers
Adilay
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
26
Questions
Asked
167 views
How do I know if a career in finance is right for me?
How might I know I can do well in that area? What are some key skills needed in the field and are certain personalities better suited for it than others?
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1588
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Of course, the best way to decide if a career in finance is right for you is to consider the pros and cons to see if it’s a good fit.
PRO
💰 SALARY — Let’s start with the most exciting thing about finance jobs: the money, it’s no secret that finance jobs pay quite well — you can easily make six figures, so... if making a lot of money is your goal, a finance job is a surefire way to reach it.
⬆️ CAREER ADVANCEMENT — If you’re looking to grow in your career and reach higher positions in your career, then finance remains a good option. From investment bankers to portfolio managers, the sector will always have demand for finance professionals, and as new businesses crop up, this demand only grows higher, along with opportunities to build your skills and experience until you’re ready to climb higher up the corporate ladder. And the best part? This also means that you’ll be able to enjoy more job security. The more integrated you get with the field — and particularly, a company — the higher your chances of retaining your position.
CON
😖 STRESSFUL — Of course, no career is perfect, and there are some drawbacks to working in finance. First of all, financial jobs can be quite stressful. If you're working as a financial analyst or manager, you're responsible for making critical decisions that could have a major impact on your company's bottom line. That kind of pressure can be tough to handle day in and day out.
🧭 WORK/LIFE BALANCE — Another downside is that finance can be quite time-consuming. You may have little time left over for your personal life when you're working long hours crunching numbers and preparing reports. It's crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance if you choose that kind of career path.
🧩 CHALLENGING — It's worth noting that the world of finance is always changing. You must always keep up with the latest changes in tax codes and regulations so you can advise your clients accordingly. You also have to stay prepared for sudden economic downturns; they happen from time to time, and they can have serious implications for businesses and individuals alike.
PRO
💰 SALARY — Let’s start with the most exciting thing about finance jobs: the money, it’s no secret that finance jobs pay quite well — you can easily make six figures, so... if making a lot of money is your goal, a finance job is a surefire way to reach it.
⬆️ CAREER ADVANCEMENT — If you’re looking to grow in your career and reach higher positions in your career, then finance remains a good option. From investment bankers to portfolio managers, the sector will always have demand for finance professionals, and as new businesses crop up, this demand only grows higher, along with opportunities to build your skills and experience until you’re ready to climb higher up the corporate ladder. And the best part? This also means that you’ll be able to enjoy more job security. The more integrated you get with the field — and particularly, a company — the higher your chances of retaining your position.
CON
😖 STRESSFUL — Of course, no career is perfect, and there are some drawbacks to working in finance. First of all, financial jobs can be quite stressful. If you're working as a financial analyst or manager, you're responsible for making critical decisions that could have a major impact on your company's bottom line. That kind of pressure can be tough to handle day in and day out.
🧭 WORK/LIFE BALANCE — Another downside is that finance can be quite time-consuming. You may have little time left over for your personal life when you're working long hours crunching numbers and preparing reports. It's crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance if you choose that kind of career path.
🧩 CHALLENGING — It's worth noting that the world of finance is always changing. You must always keep up with the latest changes in tax codes and regulations so you can advise your clients accordingly. You also have to stay prepared for sudden economic downturns; they happen from time to time, and they can have serious implications for businesses and individuals alike.
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
171
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
To determine if finance is right for you, assess your interest in numbers, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. Strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills are essential. A career in finance often requires financial modeling, forecasting, and risk analysis. If you enjoy working with data and have a logical mindset, you'll likely succeed. People who thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments and are comfortable with decision-making tend to do well in finance. A proactive, disciplined personality also helps.
Those are great things for me to consider, thank you!
Adilay
Hitesh Haran
Product Management
12
Answers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Updated
Hitesh’s Answer
Hi Adilay
A career in finance requires good aptitude for numbers and ability to interpret metrics in terms of their impact on real life scenarios. I would encourage you to do
1. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for yourself which will help you in finding out if finance is the one for you. Ref - https://www.mindtools.com/amtbj63/swot-analysis
2. Learn about finance subjects through regular school/college academic courses or online courses
3. Take internship assignments (typically last from 1-6 months and can be paid/non-paid) and explore if finance is the one whcih really aligns with your interest and passion.
A career in finance requires good aptitude for numbers and ability to interpret metrics in terms of their impact on real life scenarios. I would encourage you to do
1. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for yourself which will help you in finding out if finance is the one for you. Ref - https://www.mindtools.com/amtbj63/swot-analysis
2. Learn about finance subjects through regular school/college academic courses or online courses
3. Take internship assignments (typically last from 1-6 months and can be paid/non-paid) and explore if finance is the one whcih really aligns with your interest and passion.