Why I Want to Study Finance at University

Ever since I was a kid watching my dad check stock prices on his phone during our family dinners (which used to drive my mom crazy!), I've been fascinated by the world of finance. But honestly, it wasn't until my last year of high school that I really got why finance is so much more than just numbers on a screen or people in suits walking around with fancy briefcases.

My First Taste of Financial Decision-Making

Let me tell you a story that really opened my eyes to the power of finance. Last summer, I started my first serious part-time job at a local café. Suddenly, I had my own money to manage, and let me tell you - it was both exciting and terrifying! Should I spend it all on those awesome sneakers I'd been eyeing? Save it? Maybe invest it? These questions led me down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos about personal finance, and before I knew it, I was hooked.

I remember sitting in my room one evening, making my first budget spreadsheet (okay, it was pretty basic, but still!). That's when it hit me - finance isn't just about making money; it's about making smart choices that can change your life and maybe even help others along the way.

The World Through a Financial Lens

The more I learn about finance, the more I realize it's like having a special pair of glasses that helps you see the world differently. Take my favorite coffee shop, for instance. I used to just see a place to hang out with friends, but now I find myself thinking about their business model, profit margins (those muffins can't cost that much to make, right?), and how they compete with the big chain across the street.

During our school's economics project last semester, I got to analyze a local business's financial statements. Sure, I probably made some rookie mistakes, but figuring out how to read those numbers and understand the story they told about the business was like solving a really interesting puzzle. My teacher said I had a knack for it, but honestly, I think I just found something that genuinely excites me.

Beyond the Numbers

Here's what really gets me excited about studying finance - it's not just about crunching numbers (though I actually enjoy that part too). It's about understanding how money moves around our world and shapes pretty much everything we do. Think about it: climate change? We need finance to fund green technologies. Social inequality? Financial inclusion and education could help tackle that. Even the games I play on my phone are shaped by financial decisions!

I love how finance combines so many different skills. You need to be good with numbers, sure, but you also need to understand psychology (why do people make the financial decisions they do?), technology (hello, cryptocurrency!), and even creative problem-solving. It's like being a detective, psychologist, and mathematician all rolled into one.

My Goals and Dreams

I'm not going to pretend I have it all figured out. When I tell people I want to study finance, they often assume I'm just after a big salary (though let's be honest, that wouldn't be terrible!). But what really drives me is the possibility of using financial knowledge to make a real difference.

Maybe I'll help small businesses in my community grow and create jobs. Or perhaps I'll work in microfinance, helping people access the financial tools they need to build better lives. I've even thought about combining finance with environmental protection - green investing is becoming huge, and I'd love to be part of that movement.

Learning from Real Experiences

Last month, I attended a webinar with a finance professional who works in sustainable investing. She talked about how she helps companies balance profit with environmental responsibility. The way she described her work - it was like she was solving puzzles that could help save the planet. That's the kind of challenge I want to tackle!

I've also been running a small investment club at school (okay, it's just me and five friends using a stock market simulator, but we take it pretty seriously!). We've learned so much from our mistakes, like when we all got super excited about a tech company because of social media hype, only to watch our virtual money disappear. These experiences have taught me that finance isn't just about making quick profits - it's about understanding risks, doing thorough research, and thinking long-term.

Why University is the Next Step

I know there are lots of ways to learn about finance these days - YouTube, online courses, books. But university offers something different. It's not just about the knowledge; it's about being in an environment where I can learn from professors who've actually worked in the field, collaborate with other students who share my interests, and get exposed to ideas and perspectives I might never find on my own.

Plus, let's be real - the finance world is changing super fast. Cryptocurrency, AI in banking, sustainable investing - these weren't even things people talked about much a few years ago. I want to learn the foundations while also staying on top of these new developments, and I think university is the perfect place for that.

Looking Ahead

When I imagine myself in five years, I see someone who's not just working in finance, but using financial knowledge to solve real problems. Maybe I'll be helping start-ups get funding, or working on making financial services more accessible to everyone, or finding ways to fund renewable energy projects.

I know studying finance won't be easy. There will be challenging math problems, complex theories to understand, and probably some late nights with spreadsheets. But when I think about the possibilities - about how understanding finance could help me make a real impact in the world - I get excited about every part of the journey ahead.

The truth is, finance is everywhere. It's in the decisions we make every day, in the way our society functions, and in the solutions to many of our biggest challenges. I want to understand it deeply, use it wisely, and hopefully, make the world a little bit better through what I learn. That's why I want to study finance at university - not just to understand the world of money, but to help shape it for the better.