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What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Business Management and Administration cluster Business Finance and Accounting pathway.

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A mutual fund manager usually holds a degree in business or economics. But according to Janet Miller, a partner in an investment firm, that specialization is not always required.

"A liberal arts education, wherein one develops analytical skills, can stand you in good stead in finance," she says. "You will need specialized training or study at some point. But the important thing is the analytical ability."

An MBA can improve your earning potential and "many investment companies desire it," says portfolio manager Mike Ward.

Most of the experts recommend the chartered financial analyst (CFA) program run by the CFA Institute. According to the institute, the program "is a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of financial analysts."

The CFA is a self-study program with exams conducted at three levels. A candidate may take only one exam per year. It's an intensive, time-consuming program (approximately 250 preparation hours per year) which tests your ability to apply investment principles at a professional level.