What Can I Do With A Major In Finance?
Finance graduates are well-prepared for careers in corporate finance, investment management services, real estate management, and public administration, as well as graduate programs of study in economics and finance. The finance major is designed to provide you with a global understanding of financial markets, an ability to make informed financial management decisions, and an understanding of the risk and return characteristics of investment instruments.
Possible Career Options
(Some may require further education/specialization)Actuary
Analyst
Bank Trust Officer
Bond Analyst
Branch Manager
Cash Accountant
Chief Financial Officer
Commercial Banker
Comptroller
Consultant
Corporate Credit Analyst
Corporate Finance Associate
Credit Scoring and Risk Manager
Currency Analyst/Trader
Derivatives Trader
Equity Analyst
Financial Planner
Import/Export Facilitator
International Project Manager
Investment Banker
IPO Manager
Merger and Acquisition Specialist
Mortgage Loan Officer
Mutual Funds Manager
Operations Manager
Originations and Packaging Analyst
Portfolio Manager
Project Manager
Real Estate Broker
Research Analyst
Treasurer
Trust Manager
Underwriter
Venture Capitalist
Types of Employers
Appraisal Firms
Commercial Banks
Consulting Firms
Credit Unions
Equity/Fixed Income Research Firms
Federal Agencies
Foundations
Hedge Funds
Hospitals
Investment Banks
Life Insurance Firms
Loan Associations
Local Government Agencies
Money Management Firms
Mortgage Banks
Mutual Funds
Non-profit Organizations
Private Banks
Private Businesses
Property and Casualty Insurance Firms
Property Management Companies
Sales and Trading Companies
Savings Banks
State Government Agencies
Venture Capital Firms
Transferrable Skills
Analyzes complex financial situations
Possesses knowledge of general statistics, regression analysis, financial analysis, procedures and budgets
Applies one’s knowledge to new and changing situations
Understands the implication of one’s actions
Creatively uses new technology
Understands dynamic situations
Communicates complicated subjects effectively
Writes and speaks effectively yet concisely
Defends one’s ideas under pressure
Executes ability to synthesize data
Experiential Education
Taking intermediate accounting courses to compliment financial knowledge
Serving as treasurer for a club or organization
Interning at a financial services firm
Talking to professionals in the industry to learn about risk management
Spending the summer shadowing an entrepreneur
Completing management trainee program for financial company
Professional Associations
American Bankers Association,
aba.com
American Finance Association,
afajof.org
Association for Investment Management and Research,
cfaininstitute.org
Commercial Finance Association,
community.cfa.org
Financial Management Association,
fma.org
Financial Women International,
fwa.org
Society for Advancement of Management,
samnational.org
Enhancing Your Employability
Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills
Participate in internships and field experience placements
Become active in alumni and/or mentor networks
Plan on a graduate degree for advancement
Study for industry specific certifications