Finance Satisfaction - CareerExplorer (2024)

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To 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

DegreeAvg Grad SalarySatisfaction
Management Information Systems$87,364
Computer Engineering$96,761
Engineering Technology$78,563
Finance$93,191
Digital Communication And Media/Multimedia$58,852
Finance and Related Studies$96,583
Sports Management$45,768
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies$57,368

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:

3.5

out of 5 stars

316

ratings

5

stars

20

%

4

stars

34

%

3

stars

24

%

2

stars

12

%

We asked graduates how intellectually fulfilling they found the degree. Their response was:

3.4

out of 5 stars

313

ratings

5

stars

20

%

4

stars

31

%

3

stars

25

%

2

stars

12

%

1

stars

9

%

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:

3.6

out of 5 stars

305

ratings

5

stars

22

%

4

stars

34

%

3

stars

25

%

2

stars

12

%

1

stars

6

%

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:

3.1

out of 5 stars

261

ratings

5

stars

19

%

4

stars

18

%

3

stars

30

%

2

stars

20

%

1

stars

13

%

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.

Career Paths

Learn about your career prospects after graduation.

Read about Career Paths

Finance Satisfaction - CareerExplorer (1)

Finance Satisfaction - CareerExplorer (2024)

FAQs

What is the satisfaction rate for finance majors? ›

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.

When were you most satisfied in your job interview answer? ›

Identify a specific moment or period when you felt particularly satisfied in your job. This could be a project completion, successful collaboration, or achieving a significant milestone. By pinpointing a specific instance, you provide a concrete example that makes your response more compelling and memorable.

What is job satisfaction in your own words? ›

Job satisfaction, an unquantifiable metric, is defined as a positive emotional response you experience when doing your job or when you are present at work. Leading organizations are now trying to measure this feeling, with job satisfaction surveys becoming a staple at most workplaces.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction at work? ›

Here are some common qualities of satisfying jobs:
  • Advancement. ...
  • Satisfaction. ...
  • Compensation. ...
  • Engagement. ...
  • Flexibility. ...
  • Proficiency. ...
  • Security. ...
  • Teamwork.
Jun 24, 2022

What is the most important factor in job satisfaction? ›

Among the 10 workplace satisfaction factors we explored, a strong organizational culture is the number one factor employees search for.

What gives the best job satisfaction? ›

Most associate job satisfaction and happiness with qualities like a low-stress environment, a decent salary, supportive co-workers, good work-life balance, and the opportunity to perform meaningful work. So what are the happiest jobs?

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.

How do you answer why finance questions? ›

How to answer the interview question "Why do you want to work in finance?"
  1. Focus on your passions and professional goals. ...
  2. Evaluate your financial skills and proficiencies. ...
  3. Research the employer and the job position you're pursuing. ...
  4. Use previous experiences in your explanation. ...
  5. Answer the question honestly.
Feb 12, 2024

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? ›

Landing a finance job with just a bachelor's degree is highly competitive but it isn't impossible.

Do finance majors have good work life balance? ›

The role, which demands acute attention to market trends, client needs, and financial planning, often extends beyond the typical nine-to-five schedule. This can lead to unpredictable work hours and the need for constant availability, which complicates the pursuit of work-life balance for these professionals.

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