Students seeking a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Finance see a new horizon that extends everywhere and thus are confused in finding the appropriate research project that their degree and focus demands. Since the research project essentially covers every aspect the student covered during their years of study and proclaims to prospective employers the abilities of the graduate, the choice comes down to a career selection. The selection of a research topic identifies for prospective employers the initial parameters of the student’s focus in business.
Related Resource: Top 40 Best Online MBAs in Finance
Why a Research Project?
There are several terms used when discussing a master’s level research project. Some schools refer to the project as the capstone, while others refer to the project as a thesis. A capstone project is taken on during the last year of schooling. The capstone involves a research project and analysis that includes every section of MBA education. A single member of the faculty usually monitors progress of the capstone. A thesis is a side project that takes a full two years to complete. With a thesis, the student engages in a research project concentrating on a single component of their education. A successful thesis is often published and affects the business environment in some way.
Where to Start
The first item to consider when selecting a research project in an MBA in Finance is the chosen field of endeavor. A quick look at the Goldman Sachs site shows the complex nature of the finance business. The finance field runs the gamut of business. Each possibility is a specialty in which a research project demonstrates proficiency. Finance managers handle money, allocating funds to projects within a corporation. Finance analysts handle risk assessment and profitability engineering. Executive officers balance the actions of a corporation for maximum profitability. Then there are those who wish to be specialists in one area of business such as corporate finance or investment managers.
What are Some Topics that May be Attractive to Employers?
Picking a topic for a finance research paper depends on more than a student’s specialization. The student should show the willingness to delve deep into an unknown or fluid subject. In today’s global market there is a great need for an understanding of global finance. Working on subjects such as the affordability of oil exploration vs. current oil prices may develop into a multifaceted paper involving geographic studies, fracking potentials, pipeline possibilities, arctic exploration, off-shore drilling, and a whole host of other side issues that make such a project worthwhile to the student and business. Another topic could venture into the risk assessment involving financing operations in a former terrorist activity zone. Others could include stock assessments for green industry futures as well as the potential losses to gasoline providers in the event of a gradual turn toward the establishment of a green economy.
The MBA in Finance degree leads to a huge future. The possibilities are endless. The selection of a research subject demonstrates a student’s willingness to take on subjects important to the business world without fear of consequence. Moving into the business world is unnerving. Approaching it as a challenge with enough machismo to select a subject for an MBA Finance research project to bend the ear of anyone who reads it is the first indication of a successful career.
