High School
Business, economics, accounting, marketing, public relations, English, and speech classes will provide you with good preparation for college and an eventual career in investor relations. Other recommended courses include history, social studies, computer science, and foreign language.
Postsecondary Education
You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degrees in marketing, communications, public relations, finance, accounting, or business to work as an investor relations specialist. Many IR professionals have master’s degrees in one of these majors. Fordham University offers the only master’s degree program in investor relations in the United States. Venture capital partners can be very picky about whom they hire, so you should definitely attend an Ivy League or another top-tier college.
Other Education or Training
Many investor relations specialists keep their skills up to date by participating in continuing education classes, workshops, and webinars, which are offered by professional associations such as the American Marketing Association, Canadian Investor Relations Institute, National Investor Relations Institute, and the Public Relations Society of America.
Several organizations and colleges and universities offer short-term training programs for those who want to learn more about venture capital, including:
- Venture Capital Institute: https://www.vcinstitute.org
- University of Michigan Center for Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance: http://zli.umich.edu/about-zell-lurie/center-vcpe
Certification
Students can earn certificates in public relations and marketing at many U.S. and Canadian colleges.