Credit Professional 2018 Spring_2018_magazine | Page 22

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increase in responsibility
also brings a higher salary.
Banks will usually require
a bachelor’s degree in
management, business or a
related field for this position.
Accountant. Banks also
have accountants on staff.
They oversee the banks
financial records. Pay is
usually comparable to the
manager’s. Accountants will
need at least a bachelor’s
degree in accounting,
finance or a related field.
Get the Necessary
Qualifications
Get a high school diploma or
GED. Most banking jobs require
at least a high school diploma
or GED, and they often require
more formal education. If you
are interested in becoming a
bank teller, you can usually
apply with only a high school
diploma. You will also need to
pass a background check
before getting started.
Get a college degree. Banks
employ many people to do a
variety of jobs. Most desk jobs
require a bachelor’s degree in
a related field. Think about the
type of job you are looking to
do and match your university
major to that field. A financial
analyst, loan officer, or
financial manager usually
starts with a degree in finance,
statistics, or economics.
You do not need a specific
degree to work as an
investment banker. However,
certain majors set you apart
from other applicants.
The majority of investment
bankers have studied
finance, economics, or
business administration.
Keep your grades up. Going
to a prestigious university
can help quite a bit. However,
your grade point average (GPA)
matters most. Maintain a
minimum GPA of 3.3 if
you seek to become an
investment banker.
Investigate other types of
banking jobs. Positions in
human resources or
technological services may
require a different set of skills.
Majors in the humanities or
computer science may be more
appropriate for other areas
of banking.
Consider getting an advanced
degree. Higher level bankers,
like investment bankers,
financial advisors, or fund
managers, usually hold a
master’s in finance. Many
promotions happen from
within, but some higher level
managers are expected to
hold MBAs.
The most common degree for an
investment banker is a master’s
in finance. Degree names vary
but generally cover topics
related to finance, accounting,
banking and management.
Consider pursuing a degree in
Europe. European universities
have more established and
highly ranked programs.
Do an internship. Internships
are a great way to get your feet
wet and apply what you’ve
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Spring 2018
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The Credit Professional