The very first cohort of Griffith University’s Master of Finance and Master of Finance and Investments have graduated, armed with the knowledge they need to find success in the workplace.
They’re the only students to have completed these newMasters degrees so far, and program director Dr. Alexandr Akimov is particularly pleased with how the course has added to the already rich financial offerings at the University.
“The faculty and academics have been really excited to develop new, stronger, more skilled, knowledge-oriented courses,” Professor Akimov says.
He explains the degree came about from the realisation that Griffith needed to develop a globally competitive degree to provide graduates with the comprehensive skills and knowledge in the areas employers look for. “We have a strong association with CFA [Chartered Financial Analyst] Institute to make sure that students study material that is industry relevant, and they get good interaction with people who have the skills and the knowledge required in the industry,” he says.
Graduate Andrew Hack has long had a passion for finance, and found the Master of Finance and Investments was ideal to advance his career trajectory.
“Seeking a solid educational foundation was a must for me, especially given how competitive the industry is,” Hack explains.
“The degrees I found didn’t seem to cover or introduce new topics in much more depth than what I had previously explored during my commerce degree. So when I found out Griffith were offering a range of master’s degrees that were accredited by the CFA institute, and covered much of the material from the level two and three CFA exams, I was immediately intrigued,” he says.
He says the diverse range of study mediums the University offered was also appealing.
“The course did a great job of combining theoretical work through lectures, before applying the theories learnt and using the Bloomberg terminals. This gave the course much more depth, as well as a feel for what it would be like working within the respective areas of the industry. It also did a great job in bridging the gap between theory and practice,” Hack says.
Andrew completed his CFA level two exam in June, shortly after finishing the Masters degree and has since obtained employment at BDO Brisbane.
“I would recommend the course to anyone looking for a career in finance or investing, particularly if they plan to undertake the CFA designation at some point in their career,” he says.
International student Christian Standen Saavedra is another of the course’s successful graduates. He believes the Master of Finance equipped him with industry-ready skills. “The course really gives you a clear idea of what employers in the industry are looking for in graduates,” Standen Saavedra says.
“The course has made me feel more confident in my industry,” he explains. “It has allowed me to be a better professional, to contribute to my industry.
Li Xie is another international student who graduated from the course and is already reaping the rewards from his post-graduate study. He says he found the Masters very beneficial in obtaining work in China. “Many things I learnt during my masters have taken a significant role in my working career,” he says.
“I found the course really helped me not only with what to learn but also how to learn. It gave me the ability to solve problems.”
Dr. Akimov encourages anyone interested in a career in finance to give the Master of Finance a go. “If you want a really strong degree with a good set of knowledge and skills with academics who are research-active, who have practical knowledge in the areas they teach, this is the degree for you,” he says.