THe fInance and Insurance secTor In Texas
produced $60.9 bIllIon
of THe sTaTe’s gross domesTIc producT In 2005.
in business administration from Texas finance, and one required accounting course.
A&M University–Kingsville at Palo Alto If students don’t understand accounting,
College, a member of Bexar County’s Alamo they will not understand finance.”
Community College District. The students
would attend Palo Alto for two years and Expand The Options
then transfer to the Texas A&M University– Graduate school after a bachelor’s degree
Kingsville System Center–San Antonio can expand a student’s options, particularly
facility located on Palo Alto’s campus to take in highly skilled and highly paid fields
upper-level courses. such as investment banking. An advanced
degree will help students develop the skills
start With the basics employers want most, such as the ability
Jean Walker, director of the West Texas to think analytically, strategically, and to
Center for Economic Education at West communicate knowledge effectively. To
Texas A&M University in Canyon, enter a business-related graduate program,
recommends that students begin four- students most often need to take the
year business or finance degree programs Graduate Management Admission Test
by focusing on academic courses such as (GMAT), a test about 2,000 business schools
English and history. The freshman year, and across the nation use to evaluate candidates.
the often-difficult transition to college life, West Texas A&M University offers both
is challenging enough without dealing with a master of business administration (MBA)
finance courses. “Most freshmen don’t want degree and a master of science in finance get the Credit
to jeopardize their college record by posting and economics (MSFE) degree. The MBA
you deserve
low grades in accounting and economics,” is more appropriate for management and
Walker says. marketing positions, while the MSFE might T
Besides, academic courses are important be better suited for someone who wants a
ech prep in Texas is a great way to earn
college credits toward a technical career
to future success. Cahill recommends classes career on Wall Street, Walker says. while you’re still in high school. Tech prep
in science, for a “broader perspective,” as Texas has a wealth of excellent four-year programs center on “articulation agreements,”
well as a course in journalism. “Writing and and graduate business programs across contracts between the student, his or her high
oral communications skills are extremely the state. Business Week magazine ranks school, and community colleges the student
important in the workplace,” he says. four-year programs at five universities—the would like to attend. The agreement includes
University of Texas at Austin, Southern recommendations for courses to be completed
Advanced studies Methodist University, Texas Christian before graduation and outlines a two-year
A focus on business and finance should then University, Texas A&M University, and the degree or certificate program.
begin in the second year of college, Walker University of Texas at Dallas—in the top 50 selected courses in a Tech prep plan cover
advises. At West Texas A&M University, nationwide. UT Austin’s MBA program is the same material as the equivalent college
which offers four-year and graduate degrees No. 20 in the country. course, allowing the student to receive what
in business, sophomores “need to take two is called advanced technical credit toward the
basic accounting courses, microeconomics, Paying The Way college degree. It’s like a bank account. The
macroeconomics, and two courses in Remember that many Texas companies are credit is banked for you at the college, and you
business math,” Walker says. willing to help employees pay for continuing withdraw it when you enroll.
“In their junior year, students interested education in Finance. for more information on Tech prep, visit
in a bachelor of business administration “Most banks pay for additional education www.techpreptexas.org. ask your counselor
degree should take business finance as as part of their benefits packages. Even if it about advanced placement, dual credit, or
well as beginning courses in marketing, takes five to seven years to complete a four- articulated courses and other opportunities to
management, statistics, and business law,” year degree while working, students won’t earn college credit.
she continues. “For a senior, we require 10 be loaded down with student loan debt
additional courses—seven finance courses, when they graduate from school,”
two electives in accounting, economics, or says Smith.
Page 17
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24