How to Jump Start Your Career in Finance With a Degree

Sophia Belnap

A career in finance can be both exciting and lucrative. Whether you are just entering college or are an established professional hoping to change careers, there's never been a better time to pursue a job in the financial field. Here is some information about the way you can go about starting your career with a degree in finance.

Know What Kind of Job You Want 

You will want to graduate with a degree that can help you get the job you want. There are many positions available within the financial field and knowing which one sounds most appealing to you will help you choose a major down the road. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and be honest with yourself about the kind of work that would make you feel fulfilled. While many financial graduates go on to become wealth advisors, there are many other exciting jobs you can do. Consider becoming a private equity analyst, finance director, investment analyst, accountant, economist, insurance claims adjuster, actuary or insurance underwriter.

Choose a Major

While you can get a general financial degree, you should carefully consider whether you want to pursue a specialized degree. You may instead want to get your business, accounting, economics or banking degree. You may also want to think about your overall educational goals. Do you simply want a Bachelor's degree? Would you like to further your education with a Master's or Doctoral degree? You should be realistic about the time you want to commit to your education and the amount of money you are able to spend on tuition.

Work on Basic Financial Skills

There is a basic set of skills that you will need in order to enter the financial field. You should have a good grasp of mathematical concepts, as well as analytical skills. You should also focus on developing what are known as "soft skills." These include the ability to communicate effectively, public speaking skills and time management.

Have a Plan

It is never too early to have a plan for your career. Whether you want to work as an accountant or become a financial advisor to a company that sells vehicle camera systems, you should create short and long-term goals for yourself. Develop a strategy for how you will achieve these goals through a combination of good grades, internships, networking and mentorships.

Get a Mentor

A mentor is an invaluable resource when entering a career in finance. This should be someone who has experience within the field. One good option is to find a professor you trust. Be respectful of him or her by asking if he or she has time to devote to a mentorship. You may need to ask a few different people before you find one that agrees to be your mentor. A good mentor will give you solid advice about what you need to do to be successful in your chosen field. They can also help you further develop your knowledge and communication skills, and assist you in widening your circle of industry contacts.

Try an Internship

An internship is a great way to see if you actually like working in the financial industry before you commit to finishing your degree and finding a job. Most colleges offer internships through their academic departments and some even allow students to earn credit by completing one. Some internships are even paid. Ideally, a good internship should allow you to learn about what it will be like to work in a professional setting within the financial field. It will also be a good opportunity to network with other professionals, gain feedback, strengthen your skills and add to your resume.

A career in finance will not only help you make money, but can be incredibly fulfilling as well. Graduating with a financial degree will help you gain the skills you need to be successful and also make you more attractive to potential employers.