Finance turns information into decisions about risk, return, and timing. Careers range from corporate finance and FP&A (planning, forecasting) to equity research, asset management, fintech product, and data-driven risk. The work rewards rigor, integrity, and clear communication under uncertainty. Foundations include accounting, unit economics, Excel/Python modeling, and concise memos that state assumptions and scenarios. Realistic entry routes: analyst programs, rotational roles, or transitions from operations with a track record of making numbers useful to decision-makers.
\n\nAI will speed data gathering, anomaly detection, and scenario generation, but credibility still comes from judgment and context. Expect higher standards for data provenance and model explainability, plus growth in hybrid roles that combine finance, analytics, and product. Reality: hours can spike around closes or deals- markets are humbling- risk management and checklists matter. Sustainable careers come from process-controls, documentation, and post-mortems-not predictions. If you value clear thinking and measured decisions that compound over time, finance offers stable progression and portable skills across industries and cycles, with growing opportunities at the intersection of data and capital allocation.