Finance continues to rank highly as one of the most popular university subjects. Studying finance not only helps to drastically advance your economic literacy, but it can also open the door to lots of well-paid, stable jobs with vast opportunities for career progression. In addition, depending on the school and course you choose, you may have the opportunity to explore certain specialisations within the field before starting your career, giving you a better idea of where you might want to take it further down the line.
A bachelor’s degree is a common requirement for lots of entry-level roles within industries relating to finance, so studying this subject at university could be the first step on your career path. Here we explore some of the most popular types of roles for finance graduates to pursue after finishing their degree.
Accounting
It’s common for finance degrees to cover topics around common accounting practices, including auditing and preparing financial statements. If you think that a career in accounting may be your preferred option before starting your degree, look for courses that are heavily weighted towards accounting topics, or perhaps those that give you a choice of modules that allow you to start honing your skills on a particular area of expertise.
Within accounting, there are so many different subsectors and specialisations you can go into. From forensic accounting, which deals with corporate fraud and financial misconduct, to tax accounting which is the most popular type; it’s such a broad field which makes it perfect for graduates who are still laying out their career plans.
Investment banking
Employers in the banking industry will look particularly favourably on candidates who have acquired a degree in finance or a similar field – especially if they studied at a leading school.
If you’re interested in exploring a career in investment banking, it can be particularly useful to find a course that includes modules on corporate finance. It’s also common for students to explore advanced degrees after completing their undergraduate course when seeking a role in this field.
Pursuing a career in the banking sector can be extremely rewarding, both financially and professionally. However, the work typically involves long and unpredictable hours, and the stressful, competitive environment doesn’t suit everyone. A great way to find out whether or not this career path is right for you is to look for intern opportunities within the industry. This will give you a good idea of what to expect without committing to a full-time contract.
Teaching
If you’re interested in a career in the education sector, acquiring a bachelor’s degree is often the first step on the ladder. With a typical finance course covering so many different topics within the world of business, the natural career progression in education would be as either an economics or business teacher. From marketing to the basic principles of business management, as a finance graduate, you’ll be well-versed in the topics that commonly appear on the high school syllabus.
Depending on the state or national requirements and the level of education you want to go into, you’re likely to need to undertake further studies beyond your undergraduate course before being qualified for a role as a teacher. With the world of business constantly evolving, a role that involves teaching the next generation is an exciting and challenging career path that’s chosen by lots of graduates.
Take your chances
Lots of courses offer a year in industry, which is where current students take a year away from their studies to gain real-world experience in a professional environment relating to their major. Although it’s not essential and won’t be the right path for everyone, picking a course that includes a placement year could make you more attractive to future employers, having already gained some experience in the industry. In addition, this is a great opportunity to start developing your professional network that could stand you in good stead during the post-graduation job search.
