FINANCE …

                                                            FINANCE
                                              What can I do with this degree?
                   AREAS                                      EMPLOYERS                                   STRATEGIES
CORPORATE AND PUBLIC FINANCE
Financial Analysis                             Private businesses of all sizes and types   Complete a related internship.
Cash Management                                State and local government entities         Develop strong computer skills, including
Credit Management                              Federal agencies including:                    spreadsheets, databases, and presentation
Budget Analysis                                 Internal Revenue Service                      software.
Investment Management                           Treasury Department                        Sharp analytical skills are crucial in this industry.
Investor Relations                             Schools and universities                    Earn an MBA to reach the highest levels of corporate
Financial Reporting                            Non-profit organizations                       finance.
Payroll                                        Foundations
Benefits                                       Hospitals
Real Estate
Risk Management


BANKING
Corporate Credit Analysis                                                                  Develop a solid background in business including
                                               Commercial banks
Commercial Lending                                                                           marketing and accounting.
                                               Credit unions
Trust Management                                                                           Get experience through part-time, summer or
                                               Savings and loan associations
Capital Services and Mergers & Acquisitions                                                  internship positions in a financial service firm.
                                               Savings banks
Mortgage Loans                                                                             Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills
                                               Mortgage banks
Originations and Packaging                                                                   in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
                                               Captive finance companies
Branch Management
                                               Regulatory agencies including:
Operations
                                                  Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, OTS
Cash Management
Credit Scoring and Risk Management
Private Banking
(Finance, Page 2)


                    AREAS                             EMPLOYERS                            STRATEGIES

INSURANCE
Claims Analysis                    Life insurance firms                    Complete an internship with an insurance agency.
Underwriting                       Property and casualty insurance firms   Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more
Risk Management                    Commercial banks                            about claims, underwriting, and risk management.
Sales                              Savings banks                               Many good, entry-level positions exist in these
Actuarial Science                                                              areas.
Loss Control                                                               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.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING
Sales
                                   Brokerage firms                         Gain experience in sales.
Customer Service
                                   Trust companies                         Must be highly motivated and entrepreneurial.
Operations
                                   Financial partnerships                  Research how one obtains the Certified Financial
Portfolio Management
                                   Multi-line insurance firms                Planner (CFP) designation.
                                   Sole practitioners                      Develop a solid personal network.




REAL ESTATE
Residential Brokerage              Real estate brokers                     Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer
Commercial Sales                   Commercial banks                          or internship positions.
Appraisals                         Appraisal firms                         Research how to become a real estate broker
Property Management                Apartment and condominium complexes       through the National Association of Realtors.
Real Estate Portfolio Management   Developers                              Develop an entrepreneurial spirit.
                                   Real estate investment trusts           Research apprenticeships in appraisal.
                                   Mutual funds
(Finance, Page 3)


                    AREAS                                                   EMPLOYERS                                                        STRATEGIES

INVESTMENT BANKING
Corporate Financial Analysis                             Investment banking firms                                          An M.B.A. is required to move beyond the entry-level
Mergers and Acquisitions                                   (Changes in laws have created a fluid situation in                 analyst position in investment banking. Investment
Equity and Debt                                            this industry; Mergers and acquisitions continue to                banking is highly competitive.
Underwriting                                                take place.)                                                   Be prepared to work many hours of overtime per
Institutional Bond and Equity Sales                                                                                           week, start at the bottom, and pay your dues.
Retail Bond and Equity Sales                             Financial services firms                                          Develop strong analytical and communication skills.
Business Valuation                                       Insurance firms                                                   Cultivate personal ambitiousness.
Business Sale Transactions                                 (The Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999 allowed                     Obtain a Series 7 License for both institutional and
Currency Trading                                           financial services firms to acquire or build invest-               retail broker sales positions.
Derivatives, e.g. options                                  ment banking subsidiaries and vice versa.)                      Work toward the CFA designation.
Trading
Venture Capital Fund Management
New Venture Analysis



MONEY MANAGEMENT
Research                                                 Portfolio management firms                                         Most positions require an advanced degree in
Trading                                                  Commercial banks                                                     economics, finance or business and many years
Marketing                                                Investment banks                                                     of financial experience.
Portfolio Management                                     Federal Reserve banks
                                                         Insurance firms



GENERAL INFORMATION

   ·   Quantitative skills are extremely important. Take additional courses in math, statistics, and accounting.
   ·   Many positions in finance require the ability to analyze and interpret data.
   ·   Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Cultivate an eye for detail.
   ·   Gain experience through internships, summer and part-time positions.
   ·   Read the Wall Street Journal and other financial news magazines to stay abreast of current events and to learn more about the industry.
   ·   Join student professional associations in the field of finance.
   ·   Several professional designations and licenses, e.g. Chartered Financial Analyst or Certified Financial Planner, are available to finance professionals working
       in a particular area. Earning these designations may help one obtain advanced positions.


                                          Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2003)
                                                             UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer