Master of Science in Finance

Current Student Spotlight

What is your background and what advice would you give to students with non-traditional business backgrounds who are considering Auburn’s MS Finance Program?

Coming from an engineering background, I initially wondered if the MSF program would be a better fit for students with an undergraduate degree in a finance-related field. I quickly realized that the program is built for students at any level of experience. The program does a great job of teaching the foundations of finance during the first semester, allowing students to take full advantage of the courses offered. Since this is a three-semester program, there are two full semesters for students to tailor their courses to fit their educational and career goals.

My advice would be not to wait until you feel perfectly prepared or know exactly what job you want to pursue. Of course, building familiarity with basic concepts and computer programs is helpful, but the coursework is designed to further develop those skills.

 

How has your experience in Auburn’s MSF compared to what you expected going in, and how has it influenced the way you think about finance?

My experience has been different from what I expected going in. During my undergraduate studies at Auburn University, I always wanted to learn finance from a technical perspective but never had the time to pursue coursework in it. Going into the program, I expected the coursework to be more qualitative and analytical to complement my skill set. Auburn’s MSF has broadened that perspective significantly. I have learned how extensive finance is, and I now see finance as a framework for strategic decision-making and for evaluating risk and opportunity across organizations. Learning how numbers translate into guided decisions and the real-world application of conducting analysis has been the greatest takeaway in shaping how I now perceive finance.

How has your engineering background complemented your experience in Auburn’s MSF program?

My engineering background has complemented my experience from a foundational standpoint because of the strong analytical skills I bring to the table. One of the greatest strengths people from any engineering background bring is the ability to solve problems in a structured way. I have built years of technical experience, skills, and intuition in an engineering function, and now I am learning how to leverage and translate those skills into quality business decisions.

What has been the most meaningful part of Auburn’s MSF experience for you so far?

The most meaningful part of the experience so far has been the cohort. Because the specialized master’s programs at Auburn University are small, we are placed in the same cohort as MBA students as one large group. This has been an amazing experience because it allows you to form lasting relationships with people from many different backgrounds, age ranges, and experience levels. Much of the cohort shares the same required coursework as MSF students, which has allowed me to learn core business principles alongside a great group of students and instructors.

You also get to learn more about one another both in and outside of the classroom. The classroom environment is very collaborative, which has challenged me to think differently and ask more questions, making my experience more meaningful.

Is there a class, project, or moment in the program that really confirmed Auburn’s MSF was the right choice for you?

I knew I wanted to further my education in finance, but I was still unsure about what I wanted to pursue and focus on before classes began and had not finalized my schedule. Two nights before classes started, I switched my schedule to join the one finance elective that can be taken as a corequisite with the required fundamentals class: Multinational Financial Management. Going into it, I did not know if it would be what I was looking for, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. Most of the students in the class were second-year graduate students, either MBA, MSF, or pursuing a combination of both degrees, and I was able to gain insight into how they formulate questions and develop perspectives on global business and finance strategy.

That course, combined with the opportunities provided to develop my capabilities, was the moment I knew this program was right for me. My professors and advisors also played a big role in confirming that feeling because they take the time to help design the right path based on my constantly evolving interests.

What skills or perspectives do you feel you’ve developed the most since starting Auburn’s MSF?

I have developed a global mindset through this program, largely because of the coursework I have chosen. Auburn’s MSF allows students to earn Graduate Certificates in addition to their Master’s degree. These certificates give students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in specific subject areas of interest. Many of my peers have chosen certificates in areas such as Business Analytics and AI, among others. I believe this is one of the strongest aspects of Auburn’s MSF program. I am able to develop the skills I am most interested in while also learning how my peers are developing in their chosen areas, which helps me build a broader perspective on everything this program has to offer.

As you look ahead, what part of Auburn’s MSF experience are you most excited about?           

Very soon, I am looking forward to the immersive consulting experience in our International Business Operations class. We will be traveling to the United Arab Emirates to conduct a real-world consulting project with a company based there. We get to travel with MBA and other specialized master’s students, which further emphasizes how collaborative the experience is.

Alongside this project, I am working on our capstone project in Applied Financial Management, where we analyze an assigned company, its current strategic objectives, financial statements, capital structure, and forecasting. Being able to do this on a hybrid team made up of online and in-person students has helped me develop skills that are directly applicable to real-world job functions and roles.