Similar to placing bets or budgeting for a vacation, the responsibilities of finance professionals include assessing risk and forecasting monetary returns. Careers in finance require a thorough understanding of the systems in place to move capital and how these systems govern the spending and budgeting of money. Sometimes, financial advisors work to build powerful corporations; sometimes they work to build championship baseball teams.

The son of a Greek immigrant in Montreal, Alex Anthopoulos was introduced to the world of finance when he began working toward a degree in economics at McMaster University, according to the New York Times.

After taking over his late father's heating and ventilation business at the age of 21, the life-long sports fan decided that he was better suited for baseball and investment than engineering heating systems.

In 2000, he turned down a job offer from Fidelity Investments so he could intern for free with the Montreal Expos, opening fan mail.

Today, Anthopoulos is the general manger of the Toronto Blue Jays, and is the target of interest by owners and baseball fans around the U.S. and Canada. This winter, the 32-year-old must assess the risks and rewards of trading star pitcher Roy Halladay in order to guide his team toward a future championship.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of financial analysts to grow by 37% by 2016.