The Value of a Finance Degree in Today's Job Market

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In this podcast, I sit down with Dr. Brian Adams a Ph.D., a Professor of Finance at the University of Portland. We discuss a variation of topics focusing on finance and the finance degree, as well as the application of the finance degree to one's career, and other areas of life.

A finance degree prepares future professionals to guide individuals, corporations, government agencies, and other firms or organizations through financial struggles and uncertainty but also with short-term and long-term planning responsibilities.

Finance majors complete a balance of theoretical and practical courses in a myriad of areas including business development,
economics, organizational management, marketing, risk management, accounting, investments, supply chain, statistics, and IT.

The value of an MBA can vary depending on the individual and their career goals. For some people, an MBA can provide valuable skills and knowledge that can help them advance in their career and possibly increase their earning potential. For others, an MBA may not be as useful or necessary. It is important to carefully consider the costs and potential benefits of an MBA before making a decision to pursue one. Everyone's situation is different so there is no universal answer

It is ultimately up to each college to decide whether or not to remove testing requirements for admission. There are arguments for and against removing testing requirements, and the decision will depend on the specific circumstances and goals of the college.

There are many opportunities for women in finance. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on diversity and inclusion in the finance industry, and many organizations are making efforts to hire and promote more women in finance. There has also been a push at the university level to increase diversity amongst majors where there is a lack of gender neutrality. Finance is one of those majors that has long been a male-dominated space. I as Brian what he thinks about this and how the university and industry as a whole is working and adapting to resolve this.

Self-censorship in the classroom refers to the practice of students suppressing their own thoughts, opinions, or expressions in order to avoid offending or upsetting their classmates or teacher. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a fear of social rejection or a desire to conform to group norms. Self-censorship can be detrimental to the learning process because it hinders open and honest discussions, and it can prevent students from fully engaging with the material. Teachers and educators can help to prevent self-censorship in the classroom by creating a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas.

Higher education has changed significantly in recent years due to a variety of factors, including advances in technology, changes in the job market, and shifts in the economy. Many of these changes were a result of the recent and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The podcast concludes with Brian sharing his advice for anyone considering a finance degree. How might one should approach it. What it is useful for. Why some sort of financial education is important for anyone.

0:00 Intro
2:05 Why Consider a Finance Degree?
12:37 Is the MBA Still Worth It? Is the MBA a waste of money?
22:29 Should colleges remove testing requirements?
28:33 Females Opportunities in Finance
35:35 Self-Censorship in the Classroom
43:33 How Has Higher Ed Changed
46:46 Advice for Young People

[Hugo__IV]

“It’s how you go to college, not where you go to college” - by far my line this! So many get it twisted and seek the brand but once they achieve that they don’t maximize the opportunity.

[cardplayer]

Majored in Finance and Economics. Graduated back in 2020 and went into investment banking and now currently work in private equity. The money is amazing.

[kimmackelvie]

Really interesting insights about why a student would or would not pursue a higher ed degree. Bet this guy’s classroom is worth every penny.

[PaolaHuezo]

I got my degree in finance and worked in fintech operations in institutional banking and it was a great experience. The bank paid $5k a year for tuition and I thought about pursuing my MBA, but my boss had asked me why would I want to do that. He told me the president of institutional banking made $12 MM a year and only had a bachelors in finance and all you needed was the right network, your foot in the door, and work hard. I already had the right network, my foot in the door, and I work hard. I realized MBA is really more for the folks who had a hard time with those two steps in the financial world. Maybe one day, I’ll pursue it if the future company I work for pays for all of it, but I refuse to go in any debt for it. Interesting take.

[dollarbar]

I like what he said about being able to communicate. As a person with a weakness on communication, I was not a good fit for finance.

[nokwandatwala]

First of all, I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation! I graduated in BSc Human Physiology in 2017 and in 2019 found myself navigating and exploring parts of the financial sector (haha universe). Through gaining knowledge and experience in the process, after 5 years I feel I am ready to lay the proper foundation towards furthering my career in this field by getting a finance degree and fully immersing myself to the endless possibilities highlighted in the discussion.

I have been researching jobs within the space and doors that a higher education can open, but I must say after this video I feel even more confident about the decision I'm about to make and I am looking forward to setting myself up for this next chapter of my career growth journey. Thank you gentlemen!

[i.]

I am a finance major and if you want to major in finance just know that the field is extremely competitive. from the get go if you want to be successful and this is even a maybe you need a good internship at a well known company and if they offer you a job after your internship take it. to be in finance you need to be well connected and willing to network I advise people who really want to go into finance to study accounting because companies go after people who study accounting and a lot of accounting majors tend to work in finance. also in the finance field its becoming more technological so I would advise people to study tech related fields.

[andresjavier]

What a wholesome personality for a Finance professor lol. Great video and very insightful! Also love the Lex Fridman type of vibe to this podcast (great choice of inspiration)

[bosa]

Working as a business banker on Park Avenue in New York put everything into perspective. My book of business was full of your favorite investment bankers, analysts, hedge fund and private equity employees. They all told me the same thing. I hope to leave one day. Yes, the career path is very lucrative but the undeniable terrible work life balance isn’t worth it. Most of the guys in these fields are check box like people. Yes I got the house with a mortgage that’ll leave me in debt for the next 30 years. Yes I got the nice car, but at the end of the day they hate the job. My biggest clients that trusted me with their finances were sales guys and entrepreneurs. It’s what pushed me to start my two business. Pushed me to quit climbing the corporate ladder all at the age of 21. (Been in banking since I was 18 through an internship).

[martymaranan]

Finance play important role in every people’s lives!

[ericagifford]

This is great! I started watching some economics lectures from MIT, and fell in love because it’s the perfect blend of science and art that I have been looking for for so long! I love that psychology, sociology, planning and math coexist in perfect harmony! I will be continuing from an associates in business management to a bachelor’s of finance this year, and I am walking the tightrope between thrill and terror.

[RufinaRahimli]

Thank you so much for the great conversation. I've just changed my major from Economics to Finance. We see less women in finance sector, but I have a great passion for this field and I believe that this major will give me great perspectives and will be enjoyable.

[ProfeCristian]

This interview is amazing. Only one recommendation: you spend so much time in sharing one idea or question, a lot of words are needed to talk about one precise comment

[pondzischeme]

Best selling point was the first. Though barriers to knowledge are disappearing everyday, a finance degree does highlight someone's ability to analyze qualitatively and quantitatively.

I majored in Finance, graduated a decade ago. Working in Construction Management. Random ride. But I do well, and my finance background fast tracked me into other construction avenues; like contract negotiations and proposals.

At first, working around a lot of Engineers made me second my degree choice lol. But there's always an opportunities, in any industry or field, for someone with financial literacy. Keep your options open, and do not be afraid of work somewhere that may not think apply directly to finance.

If you have great reading comprehension skills, and can communicate effectively, you're going to find your way with a finance degree.

[princegumbo]

It's quite interesting how this conversation clearly outlines the key points which make Finance a human science

[KamikOzzy_]

Getting my masters in finance this year! Glad I ran into this video, subbed.

[ianjackson]

Excellent interview, very interesting points regarding MBA online vs classroom lectures of which I’d agree 100%

[takshgoel]

As someone who is going to purse finance in college starting August 23, it was very helpful. Thanks and best of luck!

[AccomplishedChadLite]

Accounting is better for finding jobs and you can easily pivot into a finance job later. Working for a cpa tax firm can give you an excellent background for financial advising.

[NingNingisMyWife-]

I'm hugely enthusiastic about finance and majoring in it, but I think finance itself is not enough for the recent job market, at least it should combined with CS & Math to break into more wider range of roles