Graduates with a degree in finance pursue careers in all types of business organizations. In Silicon Valley, many of the jobs available are in hi-tech companies that require financial expertise.
Some examples include corporate financial officers, traders, investment managers, financial analysts, financial planners, investment bankers, stockbrokers, regulators, and other specialties in all types of business organizations. All these organizations need the kinds of skills and knowledge provided by a finance graduate.
Finance is a global field. Capital today knows no borders and the amounts of capital that move from country to country are astounding. This globalization of finance will continue to intensify, providing many opportunities for managers and investors who have the expertise to take advantage of them.
Finance Meets Tech
Demand for financial analysts is projected to increase 11% from 2016 to 2026 as the growth of “big data” and technological improvements allow for higher quality analysis.
Potential Finance Careers
Below are some popular career choices for Finance majors.
Financial analysts build financial models and conduct complex quantitative analyses. Their research helps corporate finance officers, bankers, or investors with various financial decisions, including security valuations, security offerings, mergers and acquisitions, corporate expansions and restructings.
Finance majors often work for a company’s finance group in various capacities, including budgeting, FP&A, risk management, investors relations, or working as financial analysts, etc. These positions prepares finance majors to become Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, or Treasurer.
Finance majors work in the wealth management industry as financial advisors, money managers, estate planners, etc. In general, this groups of professionals help clients to manage their money.
Commercial banks offer a variety of financial services, including checking and savings accounts and loans. A career in commercial banks can start as bank tellers or loan officers.
Investment banks help institutions with raising capital and complete mergers and acquisitions. Undergrads often start a career in the investment banking industry as an investment banking analyst, and gradually move up to Associates, VP, Director, and Managing Director.
Spotlight: New Alumni Careers
Our recent graduates are starting their careers at a variety of companies, some of which are featured below:
Finance Major
Kelly Ouye
Symantec
Finance Major
Reilley May
Silicon Valley Bank
Finance Major
Lily Bui
Cisco
Finance Major
Nick Platais
Touchstone Commercial Partners
Finance Major
Tiffany Vu
Cisco
Finance Major
Tristyn Martin
Goldman Sachs
Undergraduate Career Center
Use the Career Center as a hub for employment resources. Among their offerings are: job listings, resume critiques, mock interviews, and even same-day advising appointments.
Graduate Business Career Management
GBCM offers consulting services, skill development programs, recruiting events, and other resources for graduate students to facilitate successful management of one's career and/or job search.
Business School on LinkedIn
As an alumni of the Leavey School of Business, you can join the SCU School of Business LinkedIn Group or follow our Leavey School of Business LinkedIn page.
Santa Clara University Alumni Association
The University offers programming for alumni including reunions and University-wide events (e.g. Vintage Santa Clara). See the SCU Alumni Association website for more information.