Finance Career Resources
Finance professionals analyze the financial health of businesses, organizations, and individuals to help them make informed financial decisions and achieve their goals. As a finance major, you will develop skills in financial statement analysis, valuation, investment analysis, money management, risk assessment, and problem-solving. You'll learn how to estimate the value of traded and non-traded assets, evaluate market conditions, identify financial risks, and implement risk management strategies.
Why Major in Finance?
- Prepare for careers in banking, investments, financial planning, corporate finance, and risk management.
- Build in-demand analytical, problem-solving, and financial decision-making skills.
- Analyze real-time financial markets using one of our 12 Bloomberg Terminals.
- Gain hands-on investment experience through experiential learning opportunities.
- Network with alumni and industry professionals to build your career before graduation.
Who Pursues a Degree in Finance?
Individuals who possess these traits may find their fit with finance:
- Analytical, critical thinkers
- Effective communicators
- Excellent problem solvers and team players
- Highly motivated and achievement-driven leaders
- Comfortable with mathematics, technology, and data analysis
- Organized and detail-oriented strategists
Finance Areas of Focus
- General finance: allows you to pursue a broad range of interests by selecting courses related to real estate, international finance, insurance, and investments
- Banking and risk management: prepares you for positions of responsibility in the financial services industry and in corporate risk management
- Investments: immerses you in the science of managing financial assets by taking courses that position you to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation
- Financial Planning: Prepares you for careers in financial advising and wealth management through coursework in retirement planning, investments, taxation, and estate planning that also prepares you to pursue the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification.
Strategic Minor Options
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Management
- Mathematics
Professional Certifications and Further Education
To be more competitive in the job market, some students pursue advanced degrees or certifications:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM®)
- FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 Licenses
- Master of Science in Finance
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Ph.D.
Technical Skills to Learn
- Advanced Excel (Vlookup)
- Black Diamond
- Blockchain
- Bloomberg terminals
- Financial modeling
- Morningstar
- Power BI
- R
- SQL
- Tableau
- Zephyr
Career Planning Action Steps
- Maintain a strong GPA, as many employers have minimum GPA requirements.
- Strengthen your quantitative skills through coursework in mathematics, statistics, and accounting.
- Build leadership and teamwork experience by getting involved in finance-related student organizations.
- Stay informed about financial markets and industry trends by reading The Wall Street Journal and other reputable financial publications.
- Meet with a career coach to explore career paths, prepare for internships, and develop a strong résumé.
- Conduct informational interviews with finance professionals to learn about different career opportunities.
- Build and maintain a professional network by connecting with alumni, faculty, employers, and peers.
- Develop technical skills and consider pursuing industry-recognized certifications, such as the CFA® or CFP®, to strengthen your professional qualifications.
- Gain hands-on experience through internships and experiential learning opportunities by using Handshake.
Get Involved
Beta Alpha Psi | Big Red Investment Club | Husker Venture Fund | Wall Street Scholars
What Can You Do With a Major in Finance?
Common Career Paths for Finance Majors
- Asset Management: Manage investments on behalf of individuals, businesses, and organizations to achieve financial objectives.
- Commercial Banking: Advise customers on lending, cash management, and other financial services while analyzing credit risk.
- Corporate Finance: Oversee the financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investment activities of a business.
- Investment Banking: Advise organizations on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and securities offerings.
- Personal Financial Planning: Help individuals and families develop strategies for budgeting, investing, retirement, tax, and estate planning.
- Risk Management and Insurance: Identify, assess, and manage financial and operational risks.
Sample Internship Titles
- Analyst
- Brokerage intern
- Capital markets intern
- Client service associate
- Corporate finance intern
- Credit analyst intern
- Equity research intern
- Finance analyst intern
- Finance intern
- Financial representative
- Internal audit intern
- Investment banking summer analyst
- Investor services intern
- Loan analyst intern
- Mortgage intern
- Private Wealth Intern
- Risk management intern
- Sales intern
- Student examiner
- Teller
- Treasury Intern
- Wealth management intern
Sample Titles for First-Destination Careers
- Account manager
- Analyst
- Annuity specialist
- Assistant national bank examiner
- Audit associate
- Banker
- Business analyst
- Commercial Banking Associate
- Credit analyst
- Data analyst
- Financial advisor
- Financial analyst
- Financial Planning Associate
- Investment Analyst
- Investment banking analyst
- Loan processor
- Mortgage servicing representative
- Portfolio analyst
- Product consultant
- Relationship Banker
- Risk Analyst
- Sales associate
- Treasury Analyst
- Underwriting assistant
- Universal banker
Sample Titles for Advanced Career Opportunities
- Chief executive officer (CEO)
- Chief financial officer (CFO)
- Consultant
- Corporate finance associate
- Director of corporate strategy and finance
- Equities coordinator
- Executive vice president
- Finance manager
- Growth equity investor
- Investment banking associate
- Managing director
- Private wealth advisor
- Risk management consultant
- Senior financial analyst
- Senior investment analyst
- Senior portfolio manager
- Strategic growth advisor
- Vice president, finance
Did You Know?
Nebraska’s investments option of the finance major is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliated Program.
Organizations Hiring Finance Majors
- Ameriprise Financial
- Ameritas
- BMO Bank
- Charles Schwab
- Conagra Brands
- Cornhusker Bank
- Deloitte
- EY (Ernst & Young)
- Fidelity Investments
- Fiserv
- Hudl
- JP Morgan Chase
- Kiewit
- KPMG
- Mutual of Omaha
- Nebraska Department of Insurance
- Nelnet
- New York Life
- Northwestern Mutual
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
- Olsson
- Pacific Life
- Pinnacle Bank
- Principal Financial Group
- Renaissance Financial
- Sandhills Global
- Tenaska
- Union Bank and Trust (UBT)
- Union Pacific Railroad
Learn More
Learn More About the Major
Need assistance exploring your major or career options? Schedule an appointment with a career coach:
Business Career Center
HLH 141| M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Drop-ins M-F 1-4 p.m.
businesscareers@unl.edu | 402-472-7272