1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Investing for Beginners

10 Steps to Building a Complete Financial Portfolio

By , About.com Guide

8 of 10

Invest in Yourself

If you’re thinking about starting a business, improving your professional skills, or making yourself stand out with your employer, you may want to consider investing in yourself by taking educational courses. Many colleges and universities offer professional certification programs such as NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies; certificates available include Financial Analysis, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Portfolio Management, French, German, Italian, International Affairs, Web Development, Marketing, Property Management, Real Estate Finance and Investment, Cinematography, and Product Design.

As the investing for beginners guide, I'm often asked advice for someone starting out on their own. The answer is almost invariably: enroll in basic accounting and finance courses. Although the cost may be several thousand dollars, the knowledge you gain can make a significant difference in your income if applied wisely; paying for itself many, many times over.

Explore Investing for Beginners
About.com Special Features

10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Credit

Easy steps to take control of your credit card debt. More >

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

  1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Investing for Beginners
  4. Planning for the Future
  5. Complete Financial Portfolio - Invest in Yourself

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.