What is FinTech and What Makes it a Promising Career

As a USG eMajor collection of courses focused on preparing students for high-demand careers, FinTech is a shortened term for Financial Technology. What makes FinTech particularly important for students in Georgia is that the Atlanta area is the national capital for the financial payment and transactions industry.

Of all of the millions of electronic payment transactions occurring each day in the United States, more than 70 percent are handled by companies in Georgia. Among the more than 200 companies in Georgia’s so-called “Transaction Alley” are CashApp, Kabbage, Equifax, BitPay, Greenlight, Paymentus, and Patientco.

Endless Possibilities

These rapidly-growing companies work behind the scenes in most of our lives to make electronic transactions and payments possible and secure. Someone working for these companies may typically have an interest in traditional business or technology-related fields, but companies also need creative types who understand the language to market products.

“We have a unique opportunity in Georgia to build lucrative career opportunities in FinTech for our students, whether they are traditional students or those looking for new opportunities,” explained Dr. Sarah Kuck, Associate Dean of USG eCampus. “Our programs in FinTech often initially appeal to students looking for careers with high-income salaries, but then they realize that they thrive on the excitement of an area that is constantly evolving.”

Academic Pathways

Courses in Financial Technology are offered through USG eCampus at 21 institutions in the University System of Georgia. Students may begin by taking one or two courses as electives to determine if the field is of interest to them. Among course options are FinTech fundamentals, commercial banking, data analysis, and security for FinTech.

Another pathway to explore the career field is to take an introductory FinTech course through FreeCampus. The course provides a broad overview of FinTech, including a module on career opportunities. There is no charge to take this self-paced, online course.

A 5-course certificate program is available at Middle Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University offers a 4-course minor focusing on digital payments. Additionally, a full associate’s degree in financial technology is offered at Georgia Highlands College, East Georgia College, Middle Georgia State University, and Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

Most courses are offered in fully online, 8-week sessions.

USG eCampus is a service unit of the University System of Georgia that assists SACSCOC-accredited USG institutions in administering quality, affordable, high-demand, post-secondary online degrees and credentials that address the workplace needs of Georgia and beyond.
-
By Austen Clay, anclay@ecampus.usg.edu
Media Contact: Katie Black, kblack@ecampus.usg.edu

Comments

11 Georgia Colleges You Can Apply to for FREE in November

If you've been thinking about starting college, now is the perfect time to get the ball rolling. Why? Well, #NoFeeNovember is in full swing with many University System of Georgia (USG) colleges and universities - with several offering fee waivers for undergraduate students looking to apply for the Spring 2021 semester. Your next step is to decide where you'd like to attend. You have an abundance of eLearning choices at your fingertips! The great thing about attending college online is that it offers the flexibility of working at your own pace on a schedule that works with your work and family commitments. Keep reading for a list of University System of Georgia eCore and eMajor partner institutions that are waiving admissions fees through November 2020 for Spring 2021 applications. *Hint: Make sure to follow your prospective school’s social media account to stay updated with their upcoming events- the information is literally at your finger...

The Power of Experience: Why Online Students Should Pursue Internships

Internships are an important part of your college experience, whether you are taking courses online or on campus. With industries such as technology, healthcare, film production, and fintech booming in Georgia, internships aren’t difficult to find. Even better, many provide for remote or hybrid opportunities. For those not already working in their fields, internships allow students to build their networks, gain experience, and can often lead to full-time jobs. 1. Gaining Hands-On Experience Once you’ve reached your junior or senior year, you should have some idea about your career direction. You’ve probably gotten some solid classroom learning under your belt and have a basic understanding of your field. Whether you're a business major interning at a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta or a healthcare administration student working for a local government agency, internships allow you to develop real-world skills. 2. Expanding Your Network There’s nowhere better to expand your pro...

3 Things to Consider Before Taking an Online Class While Overseas

Online Learning allows students the flexibility of continuing their educational journey from anywhere in the world. Online classes are an excellent option for students who are studying abroad for the semester, military members and families who are stationed overseas, or even those who want to take classes while traveling for pleasure. While online classes can usually be accessed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, there are some things to consider before registering for class if you intend to complete the course while located outside of the U.S. Availability of a Reliable Internet Connection To access most online classes, students must have a reliable internet connection. This may be a challenge in some areas of the world due to various issues such as local network instability, outages, firewalls, or restrictive local internet policies. Before registering for an online class, research the internet accessibility situation in the area in whi...

Planet eCampus

Search This Blog