Finance & Investing
The Big PICTURE
Think Wall Street offers the only opportunity in finance and investing? Think again. With high profile corporate scandals and the global economy’s volatility, we’re seeing a major shift in the public's expectations of the finance industry, including how it calculates and contributes to societal and economic value. Successful new ventures and investments are proving that a career in finance can create real social and environmental impact as well as financial returns.
- Less than half of people in many developing countries have access to formal financial services.1
- The impact investing market is estimated to be as large as $500 billion by 2019.2
- Less than 15% of all investing today is focused on human, social, or environmental goals.
The Lowdown
What can you expect if you decide to go into finance and investing?
Crunch those numbers
No surprise here: finance and investing jobs require some serious time with numbers and the CFO. If the impact part really draws you but you barely got through high school math alive, you might need to try another path.
Like coffee?
Just because you’re using finance for good doesn’t mean you won’t be putting in finance hours. While some might be able to turn their passion into self-sustaining energy, others may need to resort to more traditional ways to fuel themselves for late nights, or become masters of collaboration and time-management apps.
Regulation’s a fact of life
Innovative approaches still need to comply with the law, so regulatory requirements are part and parcel of the field. The Dodd Frank Act may not be the most fascinating bedtime reading, but it’s worth keeping on your nightstand if you’re considering a career in finance.
