Re: Finance Masters and the Possible PhD at 26 - Advice?

On 28 Apr 2007 13:58:41 -0700, albert.mills@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi,

I know this is an economics group, but I would like to post a finance
question...as a can't find any finance groups

I have a Masters in Engineering, now, at 26, after working a couple of
years I will likely be going to the University of Britsh Colmbia to do
a MSc in Finance (I got interested in it, when i took a derivatives
course in grad school). Does anyone know what the job prospects are
like for a MSc in finance, especially in Canada? (they seem quite good
to me for the research I've done).

Also, the prof I have spoken to at the university is strongly
encouraging me to do a PhD afterward...I might like to do so, the only
thing really holding me back is my age, and the fact that a PhD takes
5 years (seems sort of ridiculus) . Anyone have any advice on doing a
PhD? If you get a PhD from a top university how hard is it to get a
good academic position (not at a community college or equivalent)? Are
there any other positions a PhD might get? I assume the situation for
Canada and the USA would be similar.

snip

If you get a PhD in finance from a good school and do well at it, you
will have no trouble getting a good academic job. Finance *starting*
assistant professor salaries at good schools in the US are around
US$120,000.

Unlike many other disciplines, the MS is not generally a step along
the way to getting a PhD in economics or finance. Although, to keep
life complicated, the MS is more likely to be part of the path in
Canada than in the U.S., despite the academic markets being pretty
unified. A PhD does generally take 5 years. An MS + PhD is likely to
take 6 or 7. PhD students in finance generally receive financial
support from their school, while MS students generally don't.

-*** Startz
.