Certifications along with MBA (Finance & Marketing)

In the current professional world, a simple graduation degree and even a post-graduation degree are sometimes not enough. While, most MBA students do get recruited by top firms, having additional skills adds even more value to one’s career. Be it admissions, summer placements, or final placements, one has to stand out of the crowd at all these levels to be successful. This is where taking up certifications along with MBA (Finance & Marketing) really helps. Not only do these certifications help upgrade your skills and enhance your knowledge but also assure a much higher salary, and not to mention a higher position as well.

So here is a list of curated certifications for finance and marketing aspirants that could help you boost your MBA profile to newer heights

Certification courses for Finance aspirants

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate is the golden key to the world of finance. This can land you a job in hedge funds, equity research, and asset management sectors. A globally recognized program, CFA provides specialized skills such as portfolio strategy, investment analysis, and asset allocation. Being an MBA student focusing only on clearing initial levels can do wonders when it comes to placements.

• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certificate enables you to develop a level of expertise in both financial and management accounting. A globally recognized certification, CMA focuses on cost accounting, financial analysis, and strategic planning. So, if you aim to work in the corporate world CMA is best suited for accounting and finance majors.

• Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification is for people interested in a career in risk management. It is the most coveted qualification in the field of risk management. This is a must for people involved in controlling, analyzing, or assessing potential market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk

• Chartered Market Technician (CMT) is a certification for stock market enthusiasts. It enables you to develop a deep knowledge of technical analysis. Post this certification, you can directly work with portfolio managers, hedge fund managers, investment advisors, investment strategists, etc

• If capital markets are something with intrigues you, then NSE Certified Capital Market Professional (NCCMP) is the course for you. This course aims to equip the aspirants with the necessary stock market theoretical and practical knowledge. Moreover, It provides students with an academic base so that they can apply the same in equity markets

• Financial Modelling and Valuation certification is one of the most basic certifications for finance students. If you aspire to pursue a career in investment banking, equity research, or investment analysis, then go for this certification.

Certification courses for Marketing & Sales aspirants

• Digital Marketing Certification is an essential part of any marketing enthusiast as more and more organizations are going digital nowadays. It will enable you to identify the most effective marketing channels for an organization’s products or services. Also, it will enable you to facilitate well-planned digital marketing strategies to meet the targets set by the overall Marketing Strategy. This certification is provided by many organizations, Google and SMStudy being the most recognized ones.

• Google AdWords certification is for those people who want to learn and display proficiency in online advertising. This certification covers the basics of online advertising. Along with that, special focus is on areas such as Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Mobile Advertising, Video Advertising, and Shopping Advertising. Also, this certification is free of cost.
• Hubspot Certifications are a great way for any marketing & sales enthusiast to learn, develop and showcase particular skills related to this domain. Hubspot certifications are recognized across the globe. These cover several tools & techniques in the sales and marketing domain such as Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Sales enablement, Social Media Marketing, Contextual Marketing, CRM, Inbound Sales, etc.

So, if you are an MBA student aiming for a career in the domains of Finance or Marketing & Sales, then go for any of these certifications based on your career interest and enhance your skill along with your portfolio – Purvesh

Stay tuned for the second part of this series which will cover other certifications in the field of Operations, HR, and General Management

Purvesh is a bibliophile currently pursuing MBA at IIT Madras