Finance/Economics

A Day In the Life of a CFO

Manage the finances of a mulit-company healthcare organization.  This includes budgeting, financial reporting, investments, payroll, payments, billing & collections, supply chain, contracting and business development.  Develop key strategies around growth of services or geography. 

Educational Pathway

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Financial Services followed by a Master's degree in Business Administration (6 total years of college) 

Characteristics/Skills

Problem solving, math, communication

Pros and Cons 

Pros: New challenges routinely, get to make a difference at the company/in the community, lead people. 

Cons: high stress, public scrutiny and endless projects!

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Challenge: Making the right decisions as to when to take on a new job, or stay and compete for a promotion.  Good consult with my spouse and friends to make an informed decision. 

Resolution: Consulting with family and friends to make an informed decision.

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Hard work is needed to succeed in this role and you need to be willing to learn.  It is great if you have a mentor (boss or otherwise) who you can bounce ideas off of.  Finally, take chances in your career - move up even if you don't have all of the skills. 

A Day In the Life of an Investment Operations Manager

Manage investment operations for three portfolios of the organization 

Educational Pathway

Held a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a masters degree in public administration, and attended various executive education courses in investment asset management and in executive leadership. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

Excellent organization skills, analytical skills, drive for excellence, and constant pursuit of learning new things in and around my profession 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: financial stability, constant learning opportunities, suits my personality 

Cons: can become boring at times, it sometimes feel that it is a man’s world, harder to reach the pinnacle 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Required patience to be recognized. By continuing to pursue greater academic success 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

There are no exact answers all the time; learn to adapt to changing conditions; explore all possible opportunities. There is not one single path to success and sometimes it is as simple as choosing the one in front of you. 

Extra Notes/Interesting Facts

Seek the path that makes you feel the most personal satisfaction in mind and spirit. Practice gratitude everyday and seek to be of service to others. 

A Day In the Life of a CPA/Controller

A wide variety of financial responsibilities - monthly accounting reports, weekly payroll, benefits management, banking, investments, etc. 

Educational Pathway

I have a bacherlor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in health administration - both related directly to my career. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

I knew as soon as I took my first accounting class. You need to like numbers and math, be detailed-oriented, able to multitask, and an ability to solve problems. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: every organization needs accountants, ability to work in any industry, and generally pays well. 

Cons: often tied to restrictive deadlines, work can be repetitive, especially early in your career. 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Work/life balance. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

There is a very specific path to becoming a CPA - follow the path. Take the CPA as soon  as you can after finishing college courses - that’s when the material is the most fresh. 

A Day In the Life of a Hospital Biller

I am a hospice biller and unit lead. I field all questions and issues that arise for my team of 10. The questions and issues vary from diagnosis related questions to application and IT issues. I also coordinate and implement project topics and tasks . (Government Payers) 

Educational Pathway

I did not use my degree or previous education. I went to school for Interior design and ended up in healthcare. I happened to come across a job in Cash applications for a hospital and moved up quickly to lead and who knows what next. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

Skills in coding, billing and some clinical. People skills are a must as you are dealing with people’s health and well being often at a very scary time for some. You must also learn to balance being supportive of others ideas but assertive with your ideas. Above anything honestly and integrity in healthcare is essential. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: Your day and tasks changes but your goal stays the same. You literally learn something new everyday. You change a patient’s experience with how you work and handle each claim. Getting paid prevents hardship for patients 

Cons: It’s hard to talk with spouses of patients who have passed away. But also amazing to make a small difference in their day. That’s really the only down side ! The patients that don’t make it and the family they leave behind. 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Earning the respect of co-workers going from peer to lead was challenging but I overcame it by showing up, willing to learn and to be teachable and admitting when I don’t have the answer. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

It is fun and challenging. Take some type of coding and anatomy classes it will help you down the road. 

A Day In the Life of a Wealth Manager

Provide wealth management advice to clients, oversee firm's compliance, HR, and technology. 

Educational Pathway

College major did not apply. Have spent roughly 3,000 hours obtaing related credentials. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

Good with numbers, good with people, good with ambiguity. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: help people, interesting/stimulating, can provide well for family 

Cons: hard to get away from work, competitive, hard to find the right spot in the industry for a career. 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Biggest challenge was not understanding various parts of the industry well enough when I started, so started in a sales position, then learning after the fact about more ideal parts of the industry and working my way there. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Read the CFP Board's Guide to Careers in Financial Planning, do some shadowing and/or get an internship. 

A Day In the Life of a  Public Finance Investment Banker

Work with hospitals and health systems to access the capital markets to fund capital projects. 

Educational Pathway

Undergraduate economics and mathematics bachelor’s degrees. Not specifically, I did study finance in college. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

I believed I had strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and attention to detail skills are needed for this profession. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: Fast-paced and dynamic work environment, opportunity to provide meaningful advice, work with a variety of clients in the healthcare space  

Cons: Longer working hours, susceptible to larger macroeconomic events, mature industry 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

My biggest challenge was getting my foot in the door at my current company. I got the opportunity by networking with college alums. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Understand the time commitment that will be expected with the career. At times, long hours but the opportunity to provide meaningful input very early in your career. 

A Day In the Life of a  VP Public Finance Investment Banker

Financial Statement Analysis, Health Policy Analysis, create and present deliverables (PowerPoints based off analysis) 

Educational Pathway

Undergrad (4 years) social psychology - not directly related, but set analytical background. Graduate Degree (2 years) health administration and policy - directly relatable to career 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: Same Level Coworkers I Work With, Career that Matches my Drive, Compensation 

Cons: Hours and Spontaneity of Workload, Inability to Walk Away from Work, Industry is Not Entirely Merit Based 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

My own mental health and keeping my motivation. Time and therapy were the drivers to overcome. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Try things out (internships, coops, etc) and wait to go to graduate school until you know what you want to do (let that curious mindset take root again instead of being burnt out after undergrad) 

A Day In the Life of a  Financial Advisor

I help people invest their assets.

Educational Pathway

I went to College but started my own business in my second year. The career path was completely different from my studies. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

After starting my own business I was always interested in finance and when the opportunity arose to become an advisor I decided to sell my business and get involved. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: There's a tremendous upside from an earnings standpoint . You run your own business. Its very satisfying to help clients accomplish their financial goals.  

Cons: It can be stressful at times. You need excellent communication skills. Money can be a difficult subject to discuss at times. Its gets very personal. 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Building a business as an advisor is very difficult to accomplish. Hard work and perseverance are key to success. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Pursue something that you have a passion for. You can always get a job, however if you really enjoy what you are doing it won't seem like work at all. Also focus and hard work are keys to success and a lot of faith to accomplish your goals.