Corporate and Public Finance

• Financial Analysis
• Cash Management
• Credit Management
• Budget Analysis
• Investment Management
• Investor Relations
• Financial Reporting
• Payroll
• Benefits
• Real Estate
• Risk Management

Employers

• Private businesses of all sizes and types
• State and local government entities
• Federal agencies including: Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Department
• Schools and universities
• Non-profit organizations
• Foundations
• Hospitals

Strategies

• Complete a related internship.
• Develop strong computer skills, including spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.
• Sharp analytical skills are crucial in this industry.
• Earn an MBA to reach the highest levels of corporate finance.

Banking

• Corporate Credit Analysis
• Commercial Lending
• Trust Management
• Capital Services and Mergers & Acquisitions
• Mortgage Loans
• Originations and Packaging
• Branch Management
• Operations
• Cash Management
• Credit Scoring and Risk Management
• Private Banking

Employers

• Commercial banks
• Credit unions
• Savings and loan associations
• Savings banks
• Mortgage banks
• Captive finance companies
• Regulatory agencies including: Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, OTS

Strategies

• Develop a solid background in business including 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.

Insurance

• Claims Analysis
• Underwriting
• Risk Management
• Sales
• Actuarial Science
• Loss Control

Employers

• Life insurance firms
• Property and casualty insurance firms
• Commercial banks
• Savings banks

Strategies

• 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 communication skills, as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
• Take additional statistics classes to prepare for a career in actuary science.
• Prepare to take the first in a series of actuarial examinations.

Money Management

• Research
• Trading
• Marketing
• Portfolio Management

Employers

• Portfolio management firms
• Commercial banks
• Investment banks
• Federal Reserve banks
• Insurance firms

Strategies

Most positions require an advanced degree in economics, finance or business and many years of financial experience.

Personal Financial Planning

• Sales
• Customer Service
• Operations
• Portfolio Management

Employers

• Brokerage firms
• Trust companies
• Financial partnerships
• Multi-line insurance firms
• Sole practitioners

Strategies

• Gain experience in sales. Must be highly motivated and entrepreneurial.
• Research how one obtains the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
• Develop a solid personal network.

Real Estate

• Residential Brokerage
• Commercial Sales
• Appraisals
• Property Management
• Real Estate Portfolio Management

Employers

• Real estate brokers
• Commercial banks
• Appraisal firms
• Apartment and condominium complexes
• Developers
• Real estate investment trusts
• Mutual funds

Strategies

• Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer or internship positions.
• Research how to become a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors. Develop an entrepreneurial spirit. Research apprenticeships in appraisal.

Investment Banking

• 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

Employers

• Investment banking firms (Changes in laws have created a fluid situation in this industry; Mergers and acquisitions continue to take place.)
• Financial services firms
• Insurance firms (The Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999 allowed financial services firms to acquire or build investment banking subsidiaries and vice versa.)

Strategies

• An M.B.A. is required to move beyond the entry-level analyst position in investment banking. Investment banking is highly competitive. Be prepared to work many hours of overtime per week, start at the bottom, and pay your dues.
• Develop strong analytical and communication skills. Cultivate personal ambitiousness.
• Obtain a Series 7 License for both institutional and retail broker sales positions. Work toward the CFA designation.

Other Professions

• Account Executive
• Actuary
• Appraiser
• Bank Officer
• Bank Manager
• Budget Analyst
• Budget Manager
• Business Credit\Loan Manager
• Capital Budgeting Officer
• Commodities Trader
• Credit Analyst
• Credit Counselor
• Credit Manager
• Estimator
• Finance Writers
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Economist
• Financial Planner
• Insurance Agent
• Investment Analyst
• Investment Researcher
• Loan Officer
• Finance Manager
• Marketing Research Analyst
• Mortgage Banker
• Operations Officer
• Pension Fund Manager
• Professor
• Operations Officer
• Portfolio Manager
• Property Manager
• Rate Analyst
• Savings Officer
• Securities Broker
• Trust Analyst
• Underwriter