What can I do with a major in Finance?
Finance majors seek solutions to the financial challenges and problems of modern business. Financial majors are taught the principles of financial decision making and must have an understanding of the complex economic, legal, and financial environment in which they operate. Finance majors pursue careers in financial management, consulting, banking, advising, and financial planning.
Related Occupations:
| Accountant |
Actuary |
Appraiser / Assessor |
| Bank Economist |
Bank Representative |
Bank Teller |
| Branch Manager |
Budget Accountant |
Budget Analyst |
| Business Analyst |
Commodities Trader |
Controller-Accountant |
| Cost Accountant |
CPA |
Credit Analyst |
| Credit Manager |
Economist |
Educator |
| Financial Aid Officer |
Financial Analyst |
Financial Manager |
| Financial Planner |
Industrial Buyer |
Insurance Agent |
| Internal Auditor |
International Trade Specialist |
Investment Banker |
| Investment Researcher |
Loan Officer |
Payroll Administrator |
| Real Estate Developer |
Securities Agent |
Statistician |
| Stockbroker |
Treasurer |
Trust Account Administrator |
| Trust Investment Officer |
Underwriter |
Possible employers of Finance majors:
| Banks |
Brokerages |
| Accounting Firms |
Corporations |
| Investment Companies |
Entrepreneurs |
| Insurance Companies |
Real Estate Developers |
| Military |
Colleges / Universities |
| State / Federal |
Credit Unions |
| Businesses and Industries |
Government |
| Law Firms |
Newspapers |
| International Agencies |
Skills important for Finance majors:
- Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret numerical data
- Ability to explain complex financial transactions and data to others
- Knowledge of financial and economical history, practices and trends
- Ability to operate, and use information derived from computers
- Ability to communicate and get along with people of differing personalities and backgrounds
- Proficiency in written and oral communications
Personal attributes important for Finance majors:
- Possess integrity
- Alert
- Ambitious
- Detail-oriented
- Tendency to be organized, confident and businesslike
- Analytical
- Discrete
- Trustworthy
- Ability to handle money well
- Interest in working with both people and data
Related activities for Finance majors:
- Work as a part-time or volunteer treasurer or tax preparer
- Participate on a financial advisory board
- Become involved with investment activities
- Attend finance related lectures, workshops or conventions
- Serve as a student aide in an accounting or business department
- Join a professional financial organization
- Do an internship
- Work part-time or volunteer in a bank, savings and loans agency or credit union
Print Resources:
- Career Guide: Finance, 1996. Harvard Business School Career Guide, 1996.
- Careers in Finance. The Financial Management Association International, 1995.
- Lambert, Stephen. Great Jobs for Business Majors. VGM Career Horizons, (latest addition).
- Murphey, Alice and Shari Holmer Lewis. Business School Admissions Advisor. Kaplan Educational Centers, 1998.
- Peterson's 1999 Job Opportunities for Business Majors. Peterson's, 1998
- Rosenberg, Martin. Opportunities in Accounting Careers. VGM Career Horizons, (latest addition).
- Sumichrest, Michael. Opportunities in Financial Careers. VGM Career Horizons, (latest addition).
Internet Resources:
Professional Associations
- American Bankers Association
- American Finance Association
- Certified Financial Planner
- Board of Standards
- Financial Women International
- Institute of Financial Education
- National Association of Financial Consultants
- Denver Society of Security Analysts
This information was adapted from:
Fort Lewis College, Career Service’s homepage: http://cso.fortlewis.edu
