Explore the industries that need finance majors. Discover common jobs in various industries where finance majors might work after graduation, aside from the traditional path of going into banking.
Finance is a broad and versatile field with opportunities for graduates across multiple industries. A bachelor’s degree in finance builds your knowledge and skills in financial management, banking, investments, risk management and decision making, and at Old Dominion University, it also teaches you the fundamentals of business administration. In 2019, the most common job titles reported by ODU’s finance alumni were accountant, financial analyst, president, customer service representative, staff accountant and sales manager.
A finance degree can open doors in many industries, not just banking. From risk management to nonprofit leadership, your bachelor’s degree in finance can help you build a fulfilling career and set you up for long-term success and advancement.
Financial Services
Financial services is one of the most common career paths for finance majors. Graduates will find competitive salaries and clear advancement pathways in many companies with the most common roles being financial analysts, loan officers and investment analysts.
Financial services is a good fit for graduates interested in:
- Commercial banking
- Investment banking
- Asset and wealth management
- Credit unions
- Brokerage firms
This is the most traditional path, but finance majors have a broadly applicable set of skills useful in many other industries and environments.
Corporate Finance
Every organization needs competent financial managers. From the tech industry to retail and ecommerce, corporate finance offers the flexibility of applying your skills across many industries. As a professional in corporate finance, you can support strategic decisions for your organization and build a path to leadership roles with your experience.
Corporate finance is a good fit for graduates interested in jobs like:
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst
- Corporate Financial Analyst
- Treasury Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- Finance Manager or Director
Corporate finance is an excellent opportunity to marry your special interests and passions with the skills you’ll develop in a bachelor’s program.
Insurance and Risk Management
Do you have an eye for anticipating potential problems? In insurance and risk management, you will use data and qualitative assessments to help your team make decisions and mitigate risk. There are several types of risk analysts, including credit, market, operational and more, and the overall outlook for risk management jobs is projected to remain steady.
The insurance and risk management industry is a good fit if you’re interested in jobs like:
- Risk Analysts
- Underwriters
- Actuarial Analysts (these roles require additional training)
- Claims Analysts
Government and Public Sector
Bring your skills to public service by working with federal agencies, state and local governments, public universities or regulatory bodies. These stable jobs often come with strong benefits and opportunities to make a public impact in your community.
The public sector needs all kinds of financial professionals, including:
- Budget Analysts
- Financial Examiners
- Auditors
- Compliance Officers
Financial Technology (Fintech)
Be part of a fast-growing field with high earning potential in the financial technology industry. Fintech professionals help build the latest advancements in fintech with AI, online banking, digital payment innovations, investment technology and more.
Fintech is a great option for graduates and professionals interested in:
- Digital payment platforms
- Cryptocurrency
- Financial software
- Data analytics
These roles often require technology skills like knowledge in programming languages and database management. If you already work in technology, a finance degree may help you shift your career into a growing, innovative industry.
Other Opportunities for Finance Majors
The previous industries are just a sampling of the most common areas finance majors find jobs, but you can also play important roles in healthcare, nonprofit organizations, real estate, investment firms, consulting, supply chain and logistics companies, and more. It’s important to explore the different sectors and industries while you’re a student and tailor your elective courses to help you learn specialized skills for jobs you’re most interested in pursuing. You can also connect with the career services team at your university for help as you prepare to apply and interview for jobs.
The ODUGlobal Difference
As a finance major in the online BS in Business Administration through ODUGlobal, you’ll have access to a wealth of career information and assistance from the Center for Career & Leadership Development (CCLD). Our resources will help you start your job search with confidence or continue your education in a graduate program. ODU also has several centers designed to help students and alumni start businesses, learn leadership skills and network with professionals.
