Finance Careers: Exploring Opportunities in a Dynamic Industry

When exploring a career in finance, consider both the functional role and industry. Finance roles range from client-facing positions to data-driven analytical jobs. Ask yourself: Do you enjoy client interaction, or do you prefer working with numbers and trends?

Finance professionals are essential across numerous industries. Whether you aspire to work in a traditional financial services firm or within a finance function at a non-financial company, there are ample opportunities:

• Asset management & insurance
• Brokering and research
• Commercial and investment banking
• Hedge funds and private equity
• Venture capital and wealth management
• Fintech and digital payments
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing
• Real estate development and investment
• Technology and artificial intelligence
• Cryptocurrency and blockchain finance

• Consumer products and retail
• Government and policy
  
• Health care and biotechnology
• Hospitality and tourism
  
• Manufacturing and supply chain
  
• Nonprofits and foundations

Finance roles can be found in every industry.

• Information on Finance Careers
• Industry News and Network
• Job Search Resources

• Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: Global financial regulations continue to evolve, increasing the need for compliance officers and risk analysts.
• Fintech and Digital Banking: The rise of financial technology has created roles in blockchain development, digital payments and robo-advisory services.
• Sustainable and ESG Investing: Increasing focus on responsible investing is leading to demand for professionals skilled in ESG analysis and impact investing.
• AI and Machine Learning in Finance: Algorithmic trading, risk modeling and automated financial services require expertise in data science and finance analytics.

Use these platforms to explore career opportunities and industry insights:

• Mergers & Inquisitions: Blog covering investment banking and finance careers.
• Wall Street Oasis: Online finance community with forums, courses and networking.
• Corporate Finance Institute (CFI): Offers free and paid courses on financial modeling, valuation and corporate finance.
• Wall Street Prep: Free online finance courses and finance career training in investment banking, private equity, financial modeling, Excel functions, accounting, valuation, corporate finance, venture capital and interview preparation.
• Investopedia: Market news, investment guides and financial product comparisons.
• Finextra: Stay updated on financial technology trends.
• The Fintech Times: Reports on global financial technology trends, innovations and industry developments.
• Glassdoor: An online platform that provides information about companies, interviews and salary data.
• Mergent Intellect: Company and industry research (through the UB Libraries).

Engage with industry professionals through these organizations:

• LinkedIn Groups: Banking Careers, Fintech Network, ESG Investing.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society of Buffalo
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board
• National Venture Capital Association
• International Association for Quantitative Finance

Stay informed with leading financial publications:

• Bloomberg
• Careernomics
• Financial Times
• The Wall Street Journal
• Morningstar
• Institutional Investor
• Dow Jones News
• CFO Magazine

Learn about working in finance from our alumni and partners participating in Power Chats. In these brief videos, executives speak candidly about their experiences and provide valuable advice to current finance students. Access Power Chat videos in BizLink – Document Library.