Finance

Finance

The study of finance is primarily about learning how to make financial decisions for organizations.This course emphasizes the knowledge to understand and take part in the global economic system besides examining the techniques of financial management.The financial services are incorporate with variety of other businesses providing services including accounting, insurance, banking, brokerage,real estate,risk analysis,asset management, and investment.

We can never deny the importance of educated business and finance professionals in our industry.So,the first reason I choose finance as a major is because a person with finance background is needed by a broad variety of employers.As a finance major, I will not be pigeonholed to a certain type of company only,but instead I can choose among various types of business or nonprofits.

Next,finance graduates are in need in most organizations. Now more than ever, individuals,state and local governments,small businesses, and large corporations need educated business and finance professionals to plan for the future.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for several finance careers looks very promising.This is proved by a study where researchers found that the number of Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors are expected to grow faster than average at 23% and 32% respectively from 2010-2020.

Last but not least, finance,banking, or investment play important roles in making money.Based on Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census,most billionaire make money from finance,banking, or investment.This leaves industrial conglomerates and real estate behind. 

As a finance graduate, I can involve myself in many field of work.For example,I can become a financial analyst.A financial analyst researches macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions along with company fundamentals to make business,sector and industry recommendation. They also usually recommended a course of action,such as to buy or sell a company’s stock based upon its overall current and predicted strength. An analyst must be aware of current developments in the field in which he or she specializes as well as in preparing financial models to predict future economic conditions for any number of variables.

In addition,I can also become a personal financial advisor who provide advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes, and retirement to help individuals manage their finances.Most personal financial advisors work in the finance and insurance industry or are self-employed. They typically work full time and may meet with clients in the evenings or on weekends.Employment of personal financial advisors is projected to grow 30 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the population ages and life expectancies rise, demand for financial planning services should increase.

Animal Farm - Is it still relevant now?

       Allegory is defined as a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.The novel Animal Farm,written by George Orwell is an allegory of the failed Russian revolution of 1917.The story is about the rebellion of a group of animals against human from the farm they live so that they could live equally. However,the new rule becomes a cruel tyranny of its own led by pigs.I believe that this novel is still relevant now as it makes us realize the importance of education and gives us a warning that should not be ignored.

We can clearly see from chapter 3 onward,there is a divide between ‘the more intelligent animals’ which are the pigs,and the ‘stupidity and apathy’ of the other animals,like the horses and sheep.From this,Orwell has clearly stated the power of knowledge in every one,so that we will not be fooled easily.People in the rural area,for example,usually have lower education compared to the urban population.As education nowadays required a lot of money,only people with rich parents can pursue their studies in top universities and colleges,while the people in rural areas just get basic education and simply trust all the lies given by the leader.I believe that this happens in every country,and the apathy of these people makes it easier for these leaders to bribe them with just small amount of money (or attention) to gain supporters.In the book, Boxer worked really hard to build the windmill and was kept subordinate until his labor was no longer useful,and no longer a threat to the pigs’ power.This blind loyalty finally killed himself when the pigs sent him to be slaughtered when he was sick.

If we remember back in early 2011,Egypt was also suffering from a hard master,during the reign of Hosni Mubarak.The situations there were almost the same with the novel Animal Farm.Hosni Mubarak was associated with corruption, torture and press censorship, as well as the increased in number of imprisonments without trials.When the freedoms were limited and rights were restricted,the people in Egypt come out with the idea of rebellion and they successfully overthrown the government.Mohammad Morsi,was elected as the new leader.I could say that Morsi mirrors Snowball so much based on their similarities in the story.Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,who demonstrates Napoleon in Animal Farm successfully squeezed himself into the storyline  when he managed to unseat Morsi,just like Snowball who lost his power. Sisi has turned the people’s focus against the deposed,exactly the same with how Napoleon turned the farm’s attention toward Snowball.Morsi and Muslims were blamed  and accused for everything bad that happened. Sisi had executed numerous number of Muslim Brotherhood and anyone who supported Morsi,happenstance same with the story in Animal Farm,where Napoleon killed various animals that he claimed supported Snowball.At the end of Animal Farm, Napoleon reconciled with the humans and begins to take on their characteristics ; so El-Sisi was elected as the president after a rush election, and press censorship and imprisonments without trial have resurfaced almost as if Mubarak had never left.

Believe it or not, Orwell had warned us years ago about this political situations that happened since 1917.I know it is naive of me to feel the amazement that a book like Animal Farm could have any relevance today and to think that  Orwell’s warning has been ignored by so many.

Vocabulary ( Theme : Difficult )

Other ways to say : DIFFICULT

1. Hard 

Meaning : difficult, not easy

Example : I don't think I did well on the test. It was hard!

2. Strenuous

Meaning : requiring great energy and effort

Example : I hope you are in good shape because the climb up this mountain is strenuous.

3. Onerous

Meaning : difficult and unpleasant to do or deal with

Example : Whenever I have an onerous task to do,I procrastinate.

4. Formidable

Meaning : very difficult to deal with

Example : This project might seem formidable,but we believe you will succeed.

5. Tough

Meaning : very difficult to do or deal with

Example : He had a tough time during his first year of college.He almost quit.

6. Arduous

Meaning : very difficult

Example : After years of arduous stduy,she finally become a doctor.

Vocabulary Enrichment

1. Banter (noun)
Meaning : talk inwhich people make jokes about each other in a friendly way
Example : My brothers are very funny.I ejnoy listening to their banter.

2. Apathy (noun)
Meaning : the feeling of not being interested in or enthuasiastic about something
Example : There is a growing sense of apathy among some young adults toward important social problems,such as poverty.

3. Articulate (adjective)
Meaning : good at expressing ideas or feelings clearly in writing or speech.
Example : Zaf is an intelligent and articulate speaker. (Ameen)

4. Amenable (adjective)
Meaning : willing to be influenced by somebody or something
Example : My boss was amenable to my ideas to change our logo.They will start using new design next month.

5. Affable (adjective)
Meaning : pelasant,friendly,and easy to talk to
Example : Everyone on my soccer team is affable.When a new person joins the team,everyone welcoms him with open arms.

Vocabulary Encrichment

1. Fluctuate (verb)
Meaning : to change frequently in size,amount,etc. (especially from one extream to another)
Example : The price of electricity has fluctuated this year.

2. Flaunt (verb)
Meaning : to show something you are proud of to other people,in order to impress them
Example : The rich man flaunts his wealth in front of everyone.He often hosts expensive parties and shows people his new cars.

3. Fictitious (adjective)
Meaning : invented and not true ; false
Example : The account Jeff tells of his childhood is clearly fictitious. He obviously did not grow up in a house made of candy.

4. Fiasco ( noun)
Meaning : a complete failure or disaster
Example : The classroom activity was a complete fiasco.The students did not learn anything,they horsed around and made a mess.

5. Feign (verb)
Meaning : to pretend to have feeling;to pretend to be affectedby something
Example : The student feigned illness during examination.