Financial analysis
Cash management
Credit management
Budget analysis
Investment management
Investor relations
Financial reporting
Payroll
Benefits
Real estate
Risk management
Private businesses of all sizes and types
State and local government entities
Federal agencies:
Internal Revenue Service
Treasury Department
Schools and universities
Non-profit organizations
Foundations
Hospitals
Earn an MBA degree
Complete a finance-related internship
Seek finance-related leadership roles in campus organizations
Develop your digital technology competency including industry-specific software
Create opportunities to sharpen your analytical skills (e.g. research with finance faculty)
Develop proficiency in a sought-after language for international opportunities
Corporate credit analysis
Commercial and industrial lending
Trust and private wealth management
Capital services and mergers & acquisitions
Mortgage loans
Loan origination and packaging
Branch management
Operations
Cash management
Credit scoring and risk management
Financial analysis
Private banking
Commercial banks
Credit unions
Savings and loan associations
Savings banks
Mortgage banks
Captive finance companies
Regulatory agencies:
Federal Reserve
Federal Deposit Corporation
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Office Thrift Supervision
Gain a solid background in business including marketing and accounting
Complete an internship or co-op with a bank
Demonstrate advanced proficiency in professionalism and work ethic competencies
Claims analysis
Underwriting
Risk management
Sales
Actuarial science
Loss control
Life insurance firms
Property and casualty insurance firms
Commercial banks
Savings banks
Complete an internship with an insurance agency.
Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many good, entry-level positions exist in these areas.
Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker.
Develop strong verbal and written communication skills
Take advanced statistics classes to prepare for a career in actuary science
Prepare to take the first in a series of actuarial examinations.
Sales
Customer service
Operations
Portfolio management
Financial advising
Insurance advising
Brokerage firms
Trust companies
Financial partnerships
Multi-line insurance firms
Sole practitioner
Complete a sales internship
Demonstrate a highly motivated and entrepreneurial personality
Research Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation
Develop professional relationships through networking
Residential brokerage
Commercial sales
Appraisals
Property management
Real estate portfolio management
Real estate brokers
Commercial banks
Appraisal firms
Apartment and condominium complexes
Developers
Large corporations: real estate departments
Real estate investment trusts
Mutual funds
Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer or internship positions
Research real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors
Demonstrate sales and entrepreneurial competency
Research appraisal apprenticeships
Corporate financial analysis
Mergers and acquisitions
Equity and debt
Underwriting
Institutional bond and equity sales
Retail bond and equity sales
Business valuation
Business sale transactions
Currency trading
Derivatives (e.g., options)
Trading
Venture capital fund management
New venture analysis
Hedge fund management
Investment banking firms
Financial services firms
Insurance firms
Commercial banks
Earn an MBA degree to move beyond the entry-level analyst positions
Be prepared to work many hours of overtime per week and work your way up
Develop strong analytical and communication skills
Cultivate personal ambition
Join a campus-based investment club
Obtain a Series 7 License for both institutional and retail broker sales positions
Work toward the CFA designation
Research
Trading
Marketing
Portfolio management
Hedge fund management
Portfolio management firms
Commercial banks
Investment banks
Federal Reserve banks
Insurance firms
Earn an advanced degree in economics, finance, or business
Not an entry-level industry, many years of financial experience required
Corporate or Government:
Financial management
Financial reporting
Cost accounting
Tax planning
Research
Companies of various sizes, in all industries
Federal agencies and departments:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Office of Management and Budget
Securities Exchange Commission
State and local agencies
Federal Reserve banks
Insurance firms
Opportunities exist in government and corporate s
Supplement finance curriculum with additional accounting courses
Maintain a strong GPA
Complete an internship in a government agency
Understand the government job application process
Develop quantitative skills through additional courses in math, statistics, and accounting.
Many positions in finance require the ability to analyze and interpret data.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Cultivate an eye for detail.
Gain experience through internships, summer, and part-time positions.
Read The Wall Street Journal and other financial news magazines to become versed in current events and industry vocabulary.
Seek leadership roles in finance-specific student professional associations.
Research professional designations and licenses (e.g., Chartered Financial Analyst or Certified Financial Planner).
Learn a language that is sought after in today’s business environment.