18 early career jobs that map well to finance majors

Career mapping is the process of strategically planning your professional journey by identifying potential career paths, the skills you’ll need, and the steps to achieve your long-term goals. For finance majors, career mapping is especially valuable because the field offers a broad range of opportunities in banking, investments, corporate finance, and financial planning. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to overlook the best paths to higher-paying and more specialized roles.

With a finance degree, you might start in roles like financial analyst, investment banking associate, credit analyst, or risk management specialist. If you’re interested in personal finance, becoming a financial advisor or wealth manager could be a great fit. Those drawn to corporate finance might pursue roles in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), treasury management, or private equity. Earning certifications like the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), or FRM (Financial Risk Manager) can open doors to senior roles, such as portfolio manager, chief financial officer (CFO), or hedge fund manager. Career mapping helps you identify the right mix of technical skills, certifications, and networking opportunities to maximize your earning potential and long-term success. It’s not just about working with numbers—it’s about building a career that provides stability, growth, and financial impact.

• Intern as Financial Analyst or Research Assistant
• Corporate Finance Financial Analyst Internship
• Intern in Investment Banking
• Revenue Operations in SaaS Company
• Junior Tax Associate Role
• Support Venture Capital Firms
• FinTech Product Intern Opportunity
• Real Estate Analyst Internship
• Explore FinTech Opportunities
• Budgeting Assistant or Financial Coordinator
• Financial Planning Assistant Role
• Consider a Career in Commercial Banking
• Insurance Broker Job for Finance Majors
• Debt Collector Role for Finance Students
• Stockbroker Career for Finance Majors
• Valuation Analyst Role for Finance Students
• Financial Analyst or Investment Banking Analyst
• Financial Analyst

Intern as Financial Analyst or Research Assistant

If you’re studying finance, jumping into an internship as a financial analyst or as an investment research assistant is a smart move. These positions are super useful because they let you put your classroom knowledge to work on real financial data right off the bat—an important step for your career.

From my own experience in finance, I know that plugging away at real financial stats and figures can teach you loads about assessing a company’s financial health, spotting market trends, and crunching numbers for valuation analysis. Very useful experience! Becoming skilled and experienced in these areas can be incredible for you.

Working alongside senior analysts or as a research assistant can also throw you into the deep end of investment strategies and corporate finance decisions. This bit of experience should carve out your understanding of financial market complexities, risk management, and how to build sound investment portfolios. It is an incredible way to hone your problem-solving and important thinking skills.

Here’s a tip: Don’t just look for internships that improve your technical know-how in data analysis and financial modeling. Choose roles that also polish your soft skills, like communication and strategic thinking. Trust me, growing a flexible skill set not only boosts your performance in the immediate term but sets you up for long-term success in the finance sector.

Alex Langan, Chief Investment Officer, Langan Financial Group

Corporate Finance Financial Analyst Internship

One excellent job opportunity for college or university students majoring in finance is a financial analyst intern position in a corporate finance department. This position allows students to apply their academic knowledge in a practical, business-driven environment. Working in corporate finance provides exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting within a company, offering a broader understanding of how finance functions support business operations and strategic decision-making.

As a financial analyst intern, students gain hands-on experience with financial modeling, conduct variance analysis between actual financial results and budgeted forecasts, and help prepare for quarterly and annual financial audits. This role is instrumental in teaching them how to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights, which is crucial for any finance professional. Additionally, they learn to work with different departments, enhancing their communication skills and understanding of cross-functional collaboration.

The experience gained in corporate finance is highly valuable as it provides a comprehensive view of the financial challenges and opportunities within large businesses. It equips students with the skills to manage financial resources effectively, understand regulatory requirements, and contribute to financial strategy discussions. This makes them well-rounded candidates for future roles in various areas of finance, including financial planning and analysis, treasury, and risk management.

Wes Lewins, Chief Financial Officer, Networth

Intern in Investment Banking

One of the most suitable jobs for a college or university student majoring in Finance is an internship in investment banking. This role provides a robust platform for applying theoretical financial principles to real-world scenarios, offering a deep dive into financial markets, securities, and corporate finance. Investment banking internships are highly regarded due to the intensive learning environment they offer, where students can work alongside seasoned professionals on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and other strategic advisory services.

This experience is invaluable for finance students as it not only helps solidify their understanding of financial modeling, valuation techniques, and market analysis but also sharpens their quantitative and analytical skills. Additionally, internships in investment banking expose students to a network of industry professionals and potential mentors, which can be crucial for future job opportunities and career advancement. The demanding nature of the job also teaches interns about the importance of work ethic, time management, and under-pressure performance, all of which are critical skills in any finance career.

Moreover, securing a position in investment banking, even as an intern, can significantly enhance a student’s resume, making them more competitive in the job market post-graduation. The rigorous training and exposure received during the internship provide a strong foundation that can be advantageous in various other finance-related roles, such as asset management, corporate finance, or financial consulting. Thus, an internship in investment banking is not just a job; it’s a pivotal step in a finance student’s career development, providing practical experience and professional networking opportunities that are essential for building a successful career in finance.

Emily Tran, Finance Analyst and Management Specialist, Maple Worthy

Revenue Operations in SaaS Company

Working in the revenue operations department of a SaaS company allows students to help forecast revenue trends, fine-tune pricing models, and analyze churn rates. This role bridges the gap between sales and finance, offering valuable insights into financial planning and subscription-based revenue strategies. It also provides hands-on experience with key metrics like customer lifetime value and recurring revenue—vital knowledge in today’s subscription-driven world. 

Collaborating with different teams hones communication and problem-solving skills, which are essential for any finance career. It’s a dynamic role that encourages strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making in real-world scenarios. For students aiming to succeed in tech-driven industries, this experience builds strong foundational skills.

Jeffrey Zhou, CEO & Founder, Fig Loans

Junior Tax Associate Role

I’d lean toward becoming a Junior Tax Associate, even if you want to branch out into something else later. You’ll be knee-deep in taxes, which is super important for any company. The work involves preparing tax returns, conducting research on tax regulations, and ensuring compliance with ever-changing IRS rules. 

What’s really appealing about this role is that it offers hands-on experience with real-world financial scenarios. Like, you might find deductions for a client they didn’t even know about or spot ways to cut their tax bill. It really polishes your problem-solving skills and understanding of tax law. Plus, it’s a great stepping-stone to bigger roles like Tax Manager or even CFO someday. A lot of firms will even support your journey to becoming a CPA, which is a major career boost.

Paul Carlson, CPA & Managing Partner, Law Firm Velocity

Support Venture Capital Firms

Students can support venture capital firms by evaluating start-ups’ financial statements, market trends, and scalability potential. This hands-on experience sharpens their financial modeling and risk assessment skills while offering a front-row seat to the world of entrepreneurship. It’s a fantastic way to understand how funding decisions are made and how they impact the future of businesses. The role also provides exposure to fast-paced industries and the opportunity to network with founders and investors. This kind of insight and experience can be a game-changer for any finance student looking to stand out in their future career.

Gary Hemming, Owner & Finance Director, ABC Finance

FinTech Product Intern Opportunity

In my opinion, a FinTech Product Intern is an ideal job for college students majoring in Finance. With the rapid growth of digital payment solutions and blockchain, this role offers a hands-on opportunity to explore the cutting edge of finance and technology. Interns gain experience analyzing financial data, understanding customer behavior, and contributing to product strategies. This combination of analytical and creative work helps finance majors build a diverse skill set that’s valuable across industries. Plus, it’s an exciting way to see how innovation is reshaping the financial world in real-time. It’s the perfect stepping stone for students passionate about both numbers and tech-driven problem-solving.

Shawn Plummer, CEO, The Annuity Expert

Real Estate Analyst Internship

For me, one of the best jobs for a college or university student majoring in Finance is working as a real estate analyst intern or financial analyst intern, especially within the real estate sector.

In my opinion, real estate is one of the best ways to build wealth, and getting an early start analyzing market trends, property valuations, and investment opportunities can give finance students a serious edge. We rely heavily on market data, financial modeling, and investment analysis to guide clients toward smart real estate decisions. A finance student in this role would gain hands-on experience evaluating properties, understanding cash flow analysis, and even exploring real estate investment strategies like cost segregation for tax benefits, a topic I’ve written about extensively.

Another great option? Working as a mortgage assistant or loan processing intern. This gives finance students exposure to lending, interest rates, and underwriting critical areas of financial decision-making that tie directly into real estate and personal wealth-building. Understanding how financing works, from mortgage approvals to risk assessment, is a skill that will pay off for a lifetime, whether they go into banking, real estate investing, or financial planning.

Adam Chahl, Owner / Realtor / Interior Designer, Vancouver Home Search | Place Real Estate Team | Oakwyn Realty

Explore FinTech Opportunities

It is Fintech for sure. A person with a major in Finance has knowledge about a number of concepts: MPT, DCF, CAPM, etc. Now what? They can put this knowledge to use either in growing or stagnant sectors. For example, brick-and-mortar banking and check processing services are shrinking because they are being replaced with digital alternatives. At the same time, fintech is rapidly evolving. Fundamental Finance education can be empowered by advanced data science and AI to reach new breakthroughs. This also means a hundred times more opportunities and much better compensation.

Dee Choubey, CEO, MoneyLion

Budgeting Assistant or Financial Coordinator

For a college or university student majoring in Finance, a good position is as a budgeting assistant or financial coordinator role. Ideally, the role is within nonprofits, small businesses, or even on-campus organizations. This position is ideal for finance students because it gives them some real hands-on experience managing budgets, tracking expenses, and helping with financial planning. These are all great skills to build on when starting out with a career in Finance.

As a budgeting assistant, that classroom knowledge gets applied to real-life situations when creating financial forecasts, reconciling accounts, and making sure the organization stays within its budget limits. This job helps you develop strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. It also gives you a practical understanding of how financial decisions impact an organization’s operations.

Paul Bowley, CEO, Abbeycare Group

Financial Planning Assistant Role

Based on my experience hiring and mentoring finance students, I believe a Financial Planning Assistant role offers the ideal blend of real-world experience and learning opportunities for Finance majors.

I witnessed this firsthand when I hired Sarah, a junior Finance major, as my firm’s Financial Planning Assistant. She helped analyze client financial documents, created basic financial projections, and learned how theoretical concepts from her classes applied to real situations. The flexible hours perfectly complemented her course schedule.

What made this role particularly valuable was how it exposed her to various aspects of financial planning—from reviewing tax returns to understanding investment portfolios and retirement accounts. She gained practical experience while building relationships with senior professionals who could mentor her.

The skills Sarah developed—attention to detail, analytical thinking, and client communication—proved invaluable when she later interviewed for full-time positions. Multiple employers noted how her hands-on experience set her apart from other recent graduates.

For Finance students, this role offers three key benefits: flexible part-time hours that work around classes, practical application of academic concepts, and networking opportunities with financial professionals.

Julia Rueschemeyer, Attorney, Amherst Divorce

Consider a Career in Commercial Banking

Finance majors should consider a career in commercial banking. Even with the growth of digital banking and fintech, commercial bankers still have an important role in local economies. They help people and businesses get loans, negotiate mortgages, and generally help people manage their funds much better. You can choose to be a teller, relationship manager, loan officer or business development officer. It’s analytical and people-focused, so your work will always be meaningful and in demand.

Gary Gray, CEO, CouponChief.com

Insurance Broker Job for Finance Majors

An insurance broker is a great job for a finance major in college or university. It provides hands-on experience in risk assessment, financial planning, and client relations. The role involves helping clients find the best insurance policies based on their needs, which builds strong analytical and communication skills. 

Another advantage is the flexibility. Many firms offer part-time or commission-based roles, allowing students to gain practical experience while managing their coursework. The job also introduces them to important financial concepts like risk management and market analysis, which can be useful for future careers in banking, investment, or financial advising. 

Beyond the technical knowledge, working as an insurance broker helps develop networking and sales skills. Learning how to understand clients’ financial situations and recommend suitable coverage teaches problem-solving and negotiation, both of which are important in finance-related careers.

Jessica Shee, Tech Editor & Marketing Manager, M3datarecovery.com

Debt Collector Role for Finance Students

The job that is the best for a college or university student majoring in finance is a debt collector. This job gives students direct experience working with financial data, understanding cash flow issues, and negotiating payment solutions. Many students assume that collections work is just about making calls, but it requires financial analysis, problem-solving, and an understanding of consumer behavior.

This job is valuable because it prepares students for careers in banking, credit analysis, and risk management. About 75% of finance students who have experience in collections secure jobs in financial services within two years of graduating. Employers look for candidates who understand financial challenges, and debt collection teaches how to evaluate credit risk, interpret financial statements, and handle difficult customer interactions. These are skills that hiring managers in lending institutions and corporate finance departments look for when filling positions.

Sean Clancy, Managing Director, SEO Gold Coast

Stockbroker Career for Finance Majors

Finance is a fantastic major because of its versatility. Although it can be complex to learn, it provides tons of value for students entering the workforce. In my opinion, it’s best to consider what you’re wanting from a job, in order to find the best-suited one. Are you willing to work overtime the first few years of your career? Are you interested in working in a high-stakes environment? Do you prefer to work with people, or by yourself? Knowing the answers to those questions can help determine which types of finance jobs are the best fit for a college student, as there is no one-size-fits-all career.

Bill Lyons, CEO, Griffin Funding

Valuation Analyst Role for Finance Students

In my opinion, one of the best-suited jobs for a college or university student majoring in finance is a stockbroker career.

This role offers a dynamic entry point into the financial industry by allowing students to leverage many of the concepts learned in finance courses, such as market analysis, portfolio management, and risk assessment.

As stockbrokers, students can immediately apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios by evaluating stocks, executing trades, and advising clients on investment opportunities.

Moreover, the role is attractive for young professionals because it often requires only a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or business administration and the necessary licensure. This means that a student can begin their career relatively soon after graduation. The position provides valuable opportunities for developing interpersonal and communication skills through constant interaction with clients and institutional investors.

Stockbrokers earn a base salary supplemented by commissions and bonuses. This direct correlation between effort and reward motivates them and gives them an early taste of the tangible impact their decisions can have in the market.

For these reasons, a career as a stockbroker is an excellent choice for a finance major seeking a practical, rewarding, and dynamic start in the financial services industry.

Peter Bryla, Senior Community Manager, Resume-Now

Financial Analyst or Investment Banking Analyst

The job that a student majoring in finance should consider is that of a valuation analyst. This role is all about determining the worth of companies, assets, or investments by analyzing financial statements, market trends, and economic conditions. Valuation analysts play an important role in mergers, acquisitions, and investment decisions, making it a great fit for students who enjoy financial modeling and data-driven decision-making.

Students who gain experience in valuation analysis have a strong advantage in the job market. Data shows that students who complete internships receive 16% more job offers than those who do not. Valuation experience is highly valued in corporate finance, investment banking, and private equity, giving students a direct path to high-paying and competitive finance roles.

Barbara Robinson, Marketing Manager, Weather Solve

Financial Analyst

While there isn’t one single “best” job, a Financial Analyst role is often an ideal starting point for finance grads. It offers a broad foundation and exposure to many aspects of finance. You’ll likely be involved in tasks like financial modeling, data analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and preparing reports. This gives you a chance to learn the ropes and figure out which area of finance you enjoy most. 

Another solid role is as an Investment Banking Analyst. If you are interested in high-stakes finance, your work will involve deal structuring, valuations, and preparing presentations for mergers and acquisitions or IPOs. Demanding but rewarding, offering rapid learning and high earning potential. 

A third role is as a Hedge Fund Analyst. The work will involve conducting in-depth research and analysis to identify investment opportunities. It often involves complex financial instruments and strategies. It also requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Jeff Altman, Global Job Search Coach, The Big Game Hunter, Inc.