What can I do with my Finance Degree?
Personal Financial Planning
Develop a solid personal network: attend networking workshops and events sponsored by Career Services.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Personal Financial Planner
Brokerage firms
Operations
Trust companies
Customer Service
Financial partnerships
Portfolio Management
Multi-line insurance firms
Insurance Agent
Sole practitioners
Retirement Specialist
Corporate Finance
Complete a related internship. Develop strong computer skills, including spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. Sharp analytical skills are crucial in this industry. You may want to consider graduate school; earning an MBA can help you reach the highest level of corporate finance.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Financial Analysis
Private businesses of all sizes
Cash Management
State and local government agencies
Credit Management
Federal agencies
Budget Analysis
Multi-line insurance firms
Treasury
Non-profit organizations
Risk Management
Hospitals and Foundations
Insurance
Complete an internship with an insurance agency. Talk to professional in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many entry-level positions exist in these areas. Develop strong communication skills, as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely. Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker. Take additional statistics courses to prepare for a career in actuary science.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Agent/Broker
Life insurance firms
Loss Control
Property and casualty insurance firms
Actuarial Science
Commercial banks
Underwriting
Saving banks
Sales
Risk Management
Investment Banking
An MBA is required to move beyond the entry-level analyst position in investment banking. Be prepared to work many hours of overtime per week, start at the bottom, and pay your dues. Development strong analytical and communication skills, and cultivate personal ambitions. Investment banking is a highly competitive field. Obtain a Series 7 License for both institutional and retail broker sales positions. Work toward the CFA designation.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Trading
Investment banking firms
Currency Trading and Derivatives
Financial services firms
Mergers and Acquisitions
Insurance firms
Business Valuation
Equity and Debt
New Venture Analysis
Banking
Develop a solid background in business marketing and accounting. Get experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in a financial service firm. Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele. Take intermediate accounting courses, especially for jobs in credit analysis or lending, to complement your finance knowledge.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Cash Management
Commercial Banks and Credit Unions
Commercial Lending
Savings and Loans Association
Branch Management
Savings banks
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage banks
Credit Scoring and Risk
Captive finance companies
Corporate Credit Analysis
Federal Reserve, FDIC
Real Estate
Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer or internship position. Research how to become a real estate broker though the National Association of Realtors. Develop skills in entrepreneurship and networking.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Residential Brokerage
Property management company
Commercial Sales
Real estate brokers
Appraisals
Commercial banks
Property Management
Appraisal firms
Real Estate Portfolio Management
Developers
Mutual funds
Consulting
Consulting is essentially the business of providing advice to your clients, so excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary. An MBA or specialized masters degree is often required to move beyond an entry-level analyst tole. As you progress in your career, you usually develop knowledge in a specific industry and become a specialist. Presentation skills and spreadsheets skills are very important. Be prepared for long and extensive travel.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Business Valuation
Large professional service firms
M&A Advisory
Boutique firms that specialize in certain areas
Strategy and program Evaluation
Restructuring and Turnaround
Healthcare Consulting
Government Contracts
Accounting
Opportunities in accounting sometimes exist in government and corporate settings for finance students. Maintain a strong GPA and take more than the required number of accounting classes to supplement the finance curriculum. Complete an internship in a government agency and become familiar with the government application process to work in the public sector.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Financial Management
Companies of various sizes in all industries
Financial Reporting
Federal agencies and departments
Cost Accounting
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Tax Planning
IRS Department of Treasury
Research
Securities and Exchange Commission
Money Management
Most positions required an advanced degree in economics, finance, or business and many years of financial experience. Have a broad understanding of business and be comfortable with the risks of investing. Good entry points are working for a public pension fund, bank trust department, or a mutual fund.
Career Areas
Potential Employers
Research
Portfolio management firms
Trading
Commercial banks
Marketing
Investment banks
Portfolio Management
Federal Reserve banks
Mutual Fund Analysis
Insurance firms
Contact Information
Randi Fishbeck • Secretary to the Dean
rfishbeck@umhb.edu • (254) 295-4644
900 College Street, Box 8018 • Belton, TX 76513
Page last updated February 12, 2020
