JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is a critical need right now for more workers in the financial tech industry in Jacksonville, and that’s why a local university is launching two new programs to help companies find talent.
The University of North Florida will offer a bachelor’s and master’s program in “Fintech” starting in the fall semester.
The programs will combine the computer science, engineering and technology aspects of the industry with the business side.
Local companies say that is something they want to see from people in the job pool.
If you have ever applied for a mortgage using your phone, used a mobile payment service to send or receive money, or got a text from a credit company warning about possible fraud, those are examples of fintech.
UNF student Haitham Elk considers it a booming industry.
“You can tell that this is the future of banking, investment and payment,” Elk said.
Elk is going to be in the inaugural master’s degree program for fintech at UNF.
He already has 20 years of experience in finance from his career working in banking while living in Egypt.
“Felt like this is the time to start and be one of the pioneers in this industry and learn more about it,” Elk said. “Maybe I can be in a leading position in the future.”
UNF will join a short list of schools that offer programs that combine the technology and business sides of the industry.
The deans at the helm of the merger believe Jacksonville is becoming a fintech hub.
“They can land a wide range of jobs from a data scientist to a financial analyst to compliance specialist, or pay system specialist,” said Albert Loh, who is the interim dean of the College of Business. “There are a wide range of jobs. Fintech is really a cutting edge degree area.”
William Klostermeyer, the dean of the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction at UNF, said students typically study either finance or technology.
“When they get into the workforce, it’s like they are missing half of the equation. By developing these programs, they are trying to produce graduates who understand both sides of that really complicated equation,” Klostermeyer said. “We really want to be responsive to that industry and create a workforce and a talent pipeline for [companies].”
The deans believe degrees in programs like these can lead to higher starting salaries of five or even six figures.
Elk describes workers in fintech as having the ability to make data-driven decisions and come out with innovative solutions.
“Acquire knowledge to know how to use analysis of big data and be able to solve complex problems,” he said.
Loh and Klostermeyer say the hope is to eventually have at least 100 students in each program.