Finance Careers
A career in finance can be separated into three areas – corporate finance, investment management, and financial services.
Corporate Finance
A career in corporate finance involves analyzing, selecting, and funding investments for financial and non-financial corporations. Positions in corporate finance include financial analysts, reporting analysts, budget analysts, planners, and commercial bank analyst. A career in corporate finance requires extensive knowledge of accounting as well as the business and industry environment.
A career in corporate finance may be right for you if you like problem solving, teamwork, relative stability, work-life balance, and accounting.
Recommended six credits of Finance Courses
- Finance 405 provides more in-depth, real world applications of corporate financial decision making.
- Finance 407 analyzes the unique opportunities and risks of multinational corporation financial management.
Recommended elective
Finance 410 provides students with the skills to use derivatives instruments to change the risk and return profile of a firm or portfolio.
Tips for Getting Jobs in Corporate Finance
- Obtain a Corporate Finance Internship and/or Study Abroad for a semester
- Accounting is the recommended two-piece course sequence
- Obtain a leadership position in a student organization
- Participate in Business Case Competitions or Simulation such as Penn State’s Next CEO or the annual J&J Case Competition.
- Attend company presentations on campus
- Research the company and industry before an interview
Investment Management
A career in investment management involves money management as well as investment banking. Money management is the analysis and trading of securities such as stocks, bonds, and derivative instruments. Investment bankers help clients issue securities and provide advice on deals such as mergers and acquisitions.
Positions in investment management are often organized into the front office, middle office, and back office. The front office includes salespersons, investment bankers, traders, and portfolio managers. The middle office includes risk managers, reporting analysts, and compliance analysts. The back office includes technical and administrative support staff for the front and middle office.
A career in investment management may be right for you if you like investing, economics, a competitive and fast paced environment, and potentially high rewards. Recruiters in this area are very selective and hiring does vary with market conditions.
Recommended six credits of Finance Courses
- Finance 410 provides students with the skills to use derivatives instruments to change the risk and return profile of a firm or portfolio.
- Finance 414 builds financial modeling skills.
- Finance 407 analyzes the opportunities and risks of international investments
Recommended Electives
- Finance 405 is highly recommended for those interested in investment banking
- Finance 470 provides students with a comprehensive overview of real estate and mortgage securities analysis
Tips for Getting Jobs in Investment Management
- Obtain a "Wall Street" Internship
- Enroll in the Wall Street Boot Camp
- Get involved with the PSIA and the Nittany Lion Fund
- Accounting and Economics are the recommended two-piece sequences
- Become familiar with the Trading Room technologies by becoming a Trading Room Intern and participating in trading and investment competitions such as Penn State’s Global Trading Competition.
- Follow economic and financial market developments by reading the Wall Street Journal.
- Attend company presentations on campus
- Research the company and industry before an interview
Financial Services
A career in financial services involves direct interaction with the public in their need to save, invest, and borrow. Areas include consumer banking, financial advising, mortgage lending, credit cards, and brokerage services. Starting positions include retail bank representatives, stockbrokers, and financial advisors.
A career in retail financial services may be right for you if you like sales, interacting with customers, and investments.
Recommended six credits of Finance Courses
- Finance 407 analyzes the unique opportunities and risks of multinational corporate financial management.
- Finance 460 provides students with a comprehensive overview of real estate and mortgage markets.
Tips for Getting Jobs in Financial Services
- Obtain a Financial Services Internship or Study Abroad for a semester
- Choose a relevant two-piece sequence (Economics, Real Estate, Insurance, Accounting)
- Obtain a leadership position in a student organization
- Attend company presentations on campus and job fairs
- Research the company and industry before an interview
Undecided
Follow theses recommendations if you do not know which finance career path is right for you. These recommended actions will prepare students to pursue employment in corporate finance, financial services, or investment management.
Recommended six credits of Finance Courses
- Finance 405 provides more in-depth, real world applications of corporate financial decision making.
- Finance 407 analyzes the unique opportunities and risks of multinational corporation financial management.
Recommended elective
- Finance 410 provides students with the skills to use derivatives instruments to change the risk and return profile of a firm or portfolio.
Tips for Getting Jobs in Corporate Finance
- Obtain a Internship and/or Study Abroad for a semester
- Choose Accounting as your two-piece course sequence unless you have a very strong interest in another area
- Obtain a leadership position in a student organization
- Participate in Business Case Competitions, Simulation such as Penn State’s Next CEO or the annual J&J Case Competition, and trading competitions such as Penn State’s Global Trading Competition
- Attend company presentations on campus and job fairs
- Research the company and industry before an interview