topTo date, we’ve asked 261 current and past finance students about their happiness with their degree. Turns out, they rate it average.
There are thousands of majors available, and it can be overwhelming trying to choose one.
To help you reach the decision that is right for you, we asked students who have pursued a finance degree to respond to questions concerning five dimensions of the educational track they chose:
- Course material: Were they interested in the material they learned?
- Intellectual fulfillment: Did they find the coursework intellectually stimulating?
- Job prospects: Did they leave the program with job opportunities?
- Personality: Was the degree a good fit for their personality?
- Overall fit: Were they happy with the program overall?
We examined their responses and combined the rankings to give us an average satisfaction score across all students. This doesn't necessarily reflect how satisfied you would be with a finance degree, but it’s a starting point to help you evaluate your options.
How satisfied are finance students compared to other degrees?
Overall, finance students rate their satisfaction with their degree a 3.1 out of 5. This is low compared to other degrees which average a rating of 3.28 across all degrees. For context, finance students rate their happiness similarly to students in Engineering Technology, Digital Communication And Media/Multimedia and Finance and Related Studies.
Here are other degrees that have a similar satisfaction rating to finance
Let's break that down further.
Are finance students satisfied with what they’re learning?
We asked students about their satisfaction with their course material and overall intellectual fulfillment. Here’s what they said:
We asked graduates how interesting they found the course material to be. Their response was:
We asked graduates how intellectually fulfilling they found the degree. Their response was:
These ratings are meant to give you an indication about what other people enrolled in finance experienced. While their input is useful, keep in mind that different people have had vastly different experiences, all of which were impacted by their personal motivations, professors, and specific curriculum. Always keep your own goals at the center of your decision-making process when it comes to something as significant as your education.
Did finance graduates leave school with good job prospects?
Of course, working towards a degree is also about pursuing your desired career. Here’s what finance grads had to say about their job prospects:
We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their job prospects. Their response was:
We can see there’s a cluster of positive responses, which might indicate a strong or growing job market.
Were finance students happy with their degree overall?
This rating takes into account all factors: how demanding the program is, whether graduates felt it was worthwhile, and how fulfilling they found their educational experience.
We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their degree as a whole. Their response was:
As you consider this information and input from others, remember above all that your choice should be based on your interests, goals, passions, and abilities. Consider the future and give yourself time. If you’re feeling unsure, click here to take our career assessment and see what path could be right for you.
FAQs
Overall, finance students rate their satisfaction with their degree a 3.1 out of 5.
How satisfied are you with your job sample answer? ›
I am happy with my career path and promotion plan. I feel like my work is always recognized. I feel like I get rewarded for good work. Considering everything, I am satisfied with my job.
Is finance a satisfying career? ›
Most people have traditionally viewed finance careers as high-cost but high-reward. It's extremely difficult to break in, but once you're in, the compensation and exit opportunities make the initial effort worth it.
How stressful is a career in finance? ›
Finance is not always a stressful career, but for the highest-earning jobs it can be. Long hours and an “always on call” mentality can be extremely stressful for finance professionals, especially those dealing with global markets.
Is finance a stressful degree? ›
Pros and Cons of Finance Jobs
They can include high stress, big responsibility, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, a lack of job security—the finance industry is generally quite cyclical.
Can you give some examples of job experience that you felt were satisfying? ›
"I was really happy when I felt like a productive member of the team. One time, we were going to miss a deadline on an important project, but I was able to come up with a different strategy that helped everyone finish their part of the project on time. It ended up being a big success and getting us several new clients.
What gives you the greatest satisfaction at work? ›
What Makes a Job Satisfying?
- Engaging Work That Uses Your Skills. One quality many satisfying and rewarding jobs have in common is engagement. ...
- Opportunities for Career Development. ...
- A Collaborative Environment. ...
- Clear and Open Communication. ...
- Flexibility and Work–Life Balance. ...
- Feeling Valued. ...
- Fair Compensation.
Give specific examples of reasons why you want to work in customer service. If possible, share a personal story about why customer service is important to you.Example: 'I love helping people. Ensuring that customers leave the store feeling satisfied is important to me.
When were you most satisfied in your job example answers? ›
Focus on the positive aspects of a situation
For example, if in your previous position you were managing a difficult customer, a moment of satisfaction in your job can be when you successfully helped improve the customer's experience with the company.
What are the examples of personal satisfaction? ›
These factors include relationships with loved ones, fulfillment from work, satisfaction with your physical health, happiness with your romantic life, and contentment with your sense of spirituality or religion.
There is no single answer to this question as job satisfaction can mean different things to different people. Generally speaking, however, job satisfaction refers to the degree of pleasure or happiness that an individual feels in their job.
What attracts you to a career in finance? ›
I'm drawn to finance because it provides a comprehensive understanding of an organization's financial health, risk management, and investment decisions. By pursuing a career in finance, I can strengthen my ability to analyze financial data, provide strategic insights, and guide organizations towards sustainable growth.
Why do I enjoy finance? ›
Diversity of tasks keeps it rewarding
Many finance professionals love the scope and dynamic aspects of their jobs. They like being able to tap their technological know-how, methodical approaches to problem solving and deep understanding of how businesses work.
Why would you like a career in finance? ›
Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.
Are finance professionals happy? ›
On average, financial managers rate the meaningfulness of their work a 2.6/5. While most financial managers aren't very fulfilled by their work, some people may still manage to find meaning in it.
Are finance majors in high demand? ›
Finance degrees are in much demand worldwide, with many different career path options and great monetary benefits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts finance-related jobs to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, with an expected increase of about 715,100 new jobs and about 980,200 openings from growth and replacement needs.
Is it hard for finance majors to get a job? ›
You don't need an MBA to work in finance, but the field is highly competitive, especially at the entry-level. Internships offer experience, exposure, and a tryout for a full-time gig.
Is finance one of the hardest majors? ›
#7 Finance
Finance majors need skills in math, analyzing data, formulating strategies, and communicating well. Individuals with skills in all these areas are hard to come by!
