India’s ever-changing economy is allowing more and more women to encapsulate opportunities on the subcontinent and alter preconceived occupational customs. The financial services domain, traditionally regarded as a man’s domain, is undergoing astonishing changes with increasing female participation at the uppermost tiers of the sector and their active engagement alongside men.
The Financial Services Landscape in India
The service sector pertaining to finance in India includes several aspects like banking, insurance, fintech and managing investments. This industry is also growing at an unprecedented rate due to new advancements in technology and needs equally qualified and skilled specialists to maintain balance in this intricate ecosystem.
Nonetheless, even with the strides that have been made, women still encounter some uniquely defining hurdles in the industry. Currently, women only constitute approximately 46% of the employment in the financial services industry as a whole. More shockingly, female representation in senior investment banking positions stands at merely 17%, further emphasizing the significant lag in women’s representation at the leadership level.
SoIM’s PGDM in Financial Services: Fostering Women in Finance
SoIM in Hyderabad accepted this challenge and incorporated it in their PGDM in Financial Services curriculum in order to assist women professionals in overcoming this competitive field.
This program is tailored for those who are passionate about finance and have an interest in strategic thinking along with advanced analytical skills. It offers a wide array of industry interaction to gain practical experience, along with case studies and training, which enhances education above the theoretical level.
Comprehensive Curriculum for Tomorrow’s Finance Leaders
SoIM’s PGDM in Financial Services includes a comprehensive set of subjects offered in the following fields:
- Corporate Finance: deals with the financial policies of the corporation, its capital structure, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance.
- Financial Markets and Institutions: deals with the equity markets, debt markets, derivatives, and market regulations.
- Risk Management: looks at the measurement of financial market credit as well as operational risk and the risks which need to be mitigated towards those risks.
- Fintech and Financial Innovation: is concerned with the new tech like blockchain, AI, digital payments and anything else that may transform the industry.
- Responsible or Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing: focuses on the impact of a corporation’s business operations and how social responsible investing shaped their investment decisions.
In addition to these specialized course offerings, the students can also take up Treasury and Forex Management, Investment Banking, and Financial Analytics with R/Python during elective modules, which are known to be advanced technical courses.
Career Opportunities for Women in Financial Services
For the female graduates of SoIM’s PGDM in Financial Services a whole new world of opportunities opens up:
- Financial Advisors and Private Bankers: Helping clients manage investments and plan for their financial future.
- Research Analysts and Data Scientists: Assisting financial organizations by providing insights and analyses to make important decisions. soim.edu.in
- Professionals in Investment Banking: Engaging in mergers and acquisitions, along with capital raising activities.
- Experts in Risk Management: Assisting businesses with identifying, evaluating, and controlling financial risks.
- Innovators in Fintech: Facilitating technological advancement in financial services.
Beyond Technical Skills: Developing Well-Rounded Finance Professionals
SoIM differentiates itself with a blend of soft skill and technical expertise development in the curriculum:
- Leadership and Communication: Students along with many other industry professionals acquire the ability to communicate and lead effectively during team and solo presentations which are a major highlight of the students’ personal and professional development. soim.edu.in
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Applying theory to simulations helps students improve their rational decision-making in complicated data scenarios like case studies and other practicals. soim.edu.in
- Networking Opportunities: Social connections resulting from guest teacher sessions, workshops, and professional internships can significantly improve one’s work outlooks and market positioning. soim.edu.in
Making a Positive Impact Through Finance
The advancement of the economy coupled with the development of other industries is as a result of efficient and purposeful financial services. Women pursuing SoIM’s PGDM in Financial Services get the opportunity to make greater contributions to society through ethical financing and other service and financial literacy initiatives. soim.edu.in
The finance sector positively shifts as more women join and occupy top positions. SoIM ensures graduates are propelled into the competitive market with relevant knowledge, skill, and tenacity to build successful and fulfilling impactful careers making the world a better place.
While the path may be daunting, with tailored education and mentorship, as well as a conducive ecosystem, women are better poised to succeed in the rapidly evolving financial services sector.
