5 Benefits of Earning a Degree in Finance

It takes time and money to earn a degree, but you are investing in your future. There are always advantages when you gain more knowledge in a specific field. Here are five benefits of continuing your education to earn a master's degree in finance.

Learn from Experts

Within a master's degree program for finance you will learn valuable skills and make contacts with others working towards a similar degree, as well as experts within the field.

Most likely, you will have internships or externships where you will gain knowledge from financial gurus who know the ins and outs. They can guide and mentor you on your journey towards earning your degree and potentially help you start a career within the financial sector.

Variety of Jobs

There are numerous jobs and places to work within the field of finance. You could choose to work at credit unions or private banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms, financial planning, investment services, and other financial institutions. 

If you are more of the entrepreneurial type, you can be your own boss and be a personal finance coach. There are many career choices within the financial arena.

Personal Knowledge

There is no denying that people in every walk of life must deal with personal finances. Working towards a degree in finance will give you classes and training that provides you with knowledge that others may have to learn through trial and error. 

Taking control of your personal finances to build wealth and financial security is something you should be able to apply from your courses.

High Salary

Another benefit of a master's degree in finance is the potential to earn a higher salary. With a finance degree, you could earn between $60,000 to more than 100,000 depending on the job you choose. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2015, the median annual salary for personal financial advisors was $89,160 annually, and financial managers made $117,990.

Job Growth

Pursuing a degree in finance will help you to work in a field that is expected to grow in the future. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 632,400 new jobs will be added to business and financial operations between 2014 and 2024. 

You should be able to find a job where you can use your skills and knowledge from your finance degree.

By putting in time, energy, and money, you will set yourself up for a lucrative career in finance where you will have many options. Not to mention, your resume will show potential employers the accomplishments and dedication you gave towards furthering your education by earning a master's degree in finance. Furthermore, you will learn skills that you can apply within your personal finances.

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Getting Through Your College Years: How the Best Technology Can Help You Succeed

College work shouldn’t be more stressful than it has to be. The right tech gear makes all of the difference. It is important to consider ease of use, portability, and the speed of the technology that will help you to succeed in college. 

Who knows technology like this may help you take up an interest in the technology field. You could even become a technical expert you could be working with businesses such as Ottawa IT Support to help you find the best possible success. Here are just a few devices will make the difference between success and failure in college.

Microsoft Surface Book

The Surface Laptop is a light, portable device that comes in a small package, but packs a powerful punch with 2GB memory and i5 or i7 Intel Core processors. It offers up to 1TB SSD storage for all of your audio, video, and school files. 

The Surface Book weighs a mere 3.34 pounds and it has up to 16 hours of battery life, helping it to last through all of your classes during the day and well into the night on a single charge.

Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard

A keyboard is a keyboard, right? Not quite. The Logitech K380 keyboard connects via Bluetooth to any device. If you are on the go and need to write a paper, connect this keyboard to your tablet, computer, or cell phone via Bluetooth. 

It’s very useful for students who use a variety of devices to draft their school work.

SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 Flash Drive

This tiny USB flash drive is easy to carry along and stays out of the way. It can be password protected, for your security, and is extremely fast, moving files at a rate of 150 MB/s. 

As a bonus, it comes with a 1-year subscription to RescuePRO software to help you recover data that may be lost by accident.

Glyph Blackbox Plus

When you want all of your files on hand, but don’t want to carry your laptop around, the Glyph Blackbox Plus is the perfect solution. 

It can hold up to 2TB of data and features a rugged design that will provide great protection for your files. Included are USB-C and USB 3.0 cables for quick file transfer.

Having the right technology on your side is the key to success. These devices are sure to make your life much easier. 

Whether you are carrying them to class, a friend’s dorm, or working in the library, they will ensure you succeed throughout your collegiate career.

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Financing Education: 5 Ways to Help Pay for College

Whether you’re an undergraduate or working on a master’s in computer networking, a college education is an important aspect of one's life. It dictates career opportunities and personal capacities. 

Over the years, however, the rising costs of college education have brought upon billions of dollars’ worth of debt and millions of students scrambling to get a job to repay the loans before it gets insurmountable due to interest. 

Luckily, a college education isn't just reserved for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Students on a shoestring budget can still finance their way to higher education and, subsequently, a better life.

Work

Working part time in college and still passing your classes is more than possible. Ideally, you could get a job on or within walking distance of campus, like driving your campus school bus or giving prospects a premier tour. 

Regardless of what you pick, getting part-time work is a simple way to finance your college education. It also teaches you how to manage time wisely since you'll often need to tailor your part-time work schedule with classes. 

Having work experience also gives you competitive edge in the workforce against other fresh college graduates.

Apply for Aid

To be considered for financial aid, you'll need to secure and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. 

Depending on where you plan on enrolling, additional requirements may be applied, such as CSS or Financial Aid Profile. Completing the FAFSA gives you eligibility for the highest amount of financial aid possible for your given circumstances and chosen college.

Get Good Grades

Getting good grades in high school is a prerequisite to grabbing some grants and scholarships for your college education. Common options for grants include the National SMART grant and Pell grant. 

Each grant program has its respective set of requisites, which you'll find on their websites. Top grades can land you a full-ride scholarship, some of which can pay for everything from books to food.

Get Local Help

There are many local institutions that provide scholarships for students who are enrolling in a local college/university. 

Civic and religious organizations alike have awarded significant sums of money to their students' education. You can find many legitimate websites providing a list of grants and scholarships within your local area.

Capitalize on 529 Plans

For high school students who have enough time before they start applying for college, a 529 plan can be an attractive tool for you. 

The plan basically enables students to choose from a set of funds in which to invest. The investments range from money market funds to residential and commercial properties.

Financing your way through college can be tough at times, whether you're the parent or the student. With these five techniques, however, you'll be able to cushion the financial blow and put yourself at a better position after college.

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