One of the most attractive job options for emerging financial professionals is to work for a hedge fund. There is substantially less regulation on hedge funds compared to other investment vehicles like mutual funds, and this makes them more difficult to understand. Exotic trading tactics are often used by hedge funds to increase their investment returns. Working in a hedge fund, with its air of secrecy, seems more appealing than other, more routine positions in the finance industry. Hedge funds are popular and well-paid, which helps. It's no surprise that finding a job at a hedge fund is difficult, and getting the correct bachelor's degree might be a crucial first step. Here are the top bachelor's degrees to get you started in the hedge fund industry.

The Career Field of Hedge Fund Managers

It is the job of hedge fund managers to come up with investment strategies for customers and to monitor the results of such strategies until the clients' financial goals are reached. Hedge fund managers are in the business of attracting money to invest in a variety of securities, including stocks, bonds, and real estate. They use their expertise to help customers achieve their financial objectives by matching them to a variety of investment options.

Managers of hedge funds must evaluate the performance as well as the potential of investment products in light of major market and regulatory aspects in order to make the best possible investment choices for their customers' accounts. Talented hedge fund managers are not unusual to earn seven-figure incomes. But they work long, unpredictable hours that depend on when clients need them and when global financial markets open and close.

Top 8 Academic Majors & Degree Programs

Finance

A majority of hedge fund managers have bachelor's degrees in finance and work in the financial industry. As finance majors, people who want to run hedge funds learn about financial analysis, valuing assets, and managing portfolio risk.

Economics

The analysis of supply and demand, sometimes known as production and consumption, is at the heart of economics. In valuing assets and managing risks, it follows these concepts. It is essential to have knowledge of the economic system in order to assess potential possibilities and hazards in a given situation. You'll study the influence of economic policy and trade on consumer behavior and purchasing choices in this course.

Business Administration

It is a comprehensive field of study that focuses on established corporate concepts, standards, and best practices. Finance, accounting, as well as economics are some of the primary subject areas covered in a business administration degree and are of particular interest to aspiring hedge fund managers.

Mathematics

Pure mathematics or applied mathematics is the primary topic of a mathematics degree. In contrast to pure math degrees, applied math degrees offer the way to opportunities with hedge fund management companies. If you want to become a hedge fund manager, you'll need to know how to solve complicated mathematical problems and anticipate the future based on data.

Systems Engineering

Students who get a degree in systems engineering learn how to plan, develop, implement, and maintain a wide range of systems. Learn how to identify the fundamental causes of issues and design solutions that minimize risk throughout your studies in systems engineering. Hedge fund managers employ the same logic concepts as systems engineers to devise investing strategies.

Government

Hedge fund managers are confronted with a slew of additional pressing challenges, including technical analysis. Some of them are influenced by the political climates in which they work. As government majors, people who want to run hedge funds learn about political science and how the government works.

Psychology

High-net-worth people regularly entrust their money to hedge fund managers. It is to their greatest advantage to comprehend their upscale clientele' decision-making processes. Since psychology studies human behavior and cognition, they'll have the edge over their colleagues.

Master in Financial Engineering

The fields of finance, computer science, as well as engineering all come together in the field of financial engineering. A financial engineering master's degree teaches future hedge fund managers how to create models that aid in risk management, asset appraisal, and overall portfolio management. If you're an aspiring hedge fund manager who wants to learn more about applied finance, this is an excellent alternative.

Conclusion

While picking the best degree program is a wonderful beginning step, where you attend school also could be crucial. Attending a good institution might help you connect with wealthy folks. It's important to keep in mind that hedge funds only work with wealthy clients. You may even decide to start your own hedge fund in the future if you've built enough trust with investors via your analyses. Until then, major in finance or math at a top institution.