This is the third and final installment of the Georgetown University MSF programs interview with Georgetown Professor and Program Director Allan Eberhart. This final segment of the interview focuses on career outcomes and strategies for Masters in Finance students.
MSFHQ: What career advantage does someone have with an MSF degree from Georgetown?
Georgetown MSF: Working at the intersection of business, finance, and the global economy, our graduates are best positioned to apply a deep understanding of finance to the most pressing business issues and problems organizations are looking to solve. Our graduates emerge from the program with a depth of knowledge not found in other business degree programs, allowing them to contribute as leaders in an increasingly complex global economy. Our alumni tell us that even on their first day in a new job, they are using the knowledge that they gained in the program. Our focus on understanding the practice of finance ensures that our graduates are able to contribute immediately in new or expanded roles within any organization.
MSFHQ: What kind of career and professional development support does Georgetown offer their students?
Georgetown MSF: The Georgetown MSF Program is one of the only programs of its kind that has a dedicated career management office serving only MSF students and alumni. The center assists students in setting a personalized career strategy that addresses their career and personal goals and uses Georgetown University and McDonough School of Business resources to leverage the degree. The center provides 1:1 virtual and in-person appointments focusing on a wide range of career-related topics, including the job search, interview preparation, salary negotiation, networking, resume and cover letter writing, and overall career planning. The center also interacts with employers from across the globe and makes available to students job postings from partner companies. We also educate students about the job search and recruitment process for part-time graduate business students as it is very different from what full-time students’ experience. In addition, the center hosts the MSF Executives in Residence Program that connects current students to accomplished executives who provide mentoring, career guidance, and opportunities to gain new experiences. Executives in Residence also are responsible for leading our summer Consulting Clinic and our soon-to-be-launched Investments Clinic.
MSFHQ: Why would an employer hire a Georgetown MSF graduate as opposed to one that got their MSF from another school?
Georgetown MSF: Employers have told us that our students and alumni bring a depth of knowledge in finance and the ability to apply it to real-world situations that is rarely found with candidates from other programs. Our summer consulting clinic has allowed our students to showcase their skills and knowledge in a way that has impressed recruiters and hiring managers alike. In addition, our employer partners tell us that the unique diversity of our student population (which includes early-career, mid-career, and senior professionals) provides our students an edge when interviewing for positions in dynamic teams. Besides our rigorous curriculum, focus on application of finance in the real-world, and unparalleled career support, the Georgetown name resonates with employers and is synonymous with excellence, innovation, and global impact.
MSFHQ: What kind of ROI can someone expect with an MSF from Georgetown?
Georgetown MSF: We are proud of the career advancement that our students and alumni have attained. Our graduates are obtaining new positions in top-tier companies and securing promotions with their current employers. Based on our post-graduation surveys, we have found that nearly 90% of our students end up in a higher-level role at some point between admission and six months after graduation. For those who change jobs, our graduates achieve, on average, a close to 40% increase in salary from where they began when they were admitted. The ROI doesn’t end at graduation as the value of the degree continues to allow our alumni to excel in their chosen professions. We work to maintain a strong connection with our alumni and have seen graduates who are years out from graduation continue to advance into positions of leadership in all areas of business and finance. There is no one “right” pathway for graduates of our program, and we are happy to see that our students are using their skills and experience in a wide-range of industries across the world.
To learn more about Georgetown’s MSF program, click here.