The 1980s were a much simpler time.
We had the Rubik’s Cube, E.T., Michael Jackson’s Thriller AND the Cabbage Patch Kids – not to mention those insufferable shoulder pads worn by the decade’s most fashion (un)conscious.
It was also the decade Gordon Gekko was introduced to the world.
The man who claimed “greed is good”, “money never sleeps” and “lunch is for wimps” was a financial big hitter who dined on cash rather than a salad from a local gastro pub. In fact, the unscrupulous star of Oliver Stone’s Wall Street would likely go off the deep end were you to ask him about the relatively tame yuppie stream flowing through today’s financial markets.
But that’s no bad thing.
In order to succeed in the modern financial markets, it’s important you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, rather than an expensive suit, a slicked back hairstyle and an aversion to lunch.
Therefore, to make a quantum leap in the finance industry and begin to climb the career ladder, many aspiring Gekko’s recognise the importance of getting a good education under their braces.
The Value of Obtaining a Good Education
Considering the veritable smorgasbord of options available in the financial industry, it makes a lot of sense for you to first grab an education at a reputable university. Not only will this give you the qualification you need to gain employment, it’ll give you an idea of where you fit into the mix.
Your best bet is to opt for an accounting and finance degree, allowing you to spread your wings into investment banking, insurance and even high street banks. You may even find yourself working for a global corporation or starting your own business – it’s entirely up to you.
Interestingly, accounting and finance is one of the biggest growth sectors for graduate vacancies in 2014, with the earnings of an average graduate a respectable £26,452. When you compare this to the national average of £21,000, it’s clear that this degree pathway pays dividends.
In order to succeed in the modern financial markets, it’s important you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, rather than an expensive suit, a slicked back hairstyle and an aversion to lunch.
Finding Your Niche
While we all want to be driving around in fancy supercars, dating supermodels and lighting £100 notes on fire, it’s inevitable you’ll need to start at the very bottom in the immediate aftermath of leaving university.
Whether you’re hell-bent on becoming a stock broker or you’re committed to chartered accountancy, it’ll take more than a winning smile to wow potential employers. In reality, it takes oodles of hard work and a bulletproof personality to reach the zenith of the finance world.
Indeed, there’s much more to making a quantum leap in the finance industry, but by ensuring the fundamentals are in place, you can take the first steps to making bigger splashes than Gordon Gekko cannonballing into a swimming pool full of cash.
