Thinking that a Finance major could be a good choice for you?
Use this site to learn about what the finance has to offer. You can explore:
Description of the Major
Skills Needed
Sample Occupations
Professional Associations
Certifications
Student Clubs
SOM Career Library Resources
Organizations that have employed GMU Finance Graduates

Finance majors enjoy great demand in the labor market because they take the lead in making decisions concerning asset valuation, stock portfolios, financial statements, and capital budgeting. Graduates in finance find jobs in corporate and public finance, investment banking, commercial banks and credit unions, portfolio management, venture capital, securities trading, and personal financial banking.

Skills Needed

• Ability to work in teams or independently
• Ability to work under pressure
• Analytical ability
• Creativity
• Information gathering

• Initiative
• Commitment
• Interpersonal communication
• Managing finances
• Managing people Sales
• Negotiation

• Organizing numerical data
• Preparing financial reports
• Problem solving
• Strategic thinking
• Written communication

Sample Occupations
(Connected to the Bureau of Labor and Statistic’s online Occupational Outlook Handbook)

• Account Analyst
• Bank Examiner
• Bank Trust Officer
• Broker
• Real Estate Broker
• Budget Analyst
• Budget Consultant
• Commercial Lender
• Comptroller
• Credit Analyst
• Credit Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Consultant
• Financial Examiner
• Financial Manager
• Financial Planner
• Financial Services Agent (includes Securities and Commodities)
• Loan Officer
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Portfolio Manager
• Risk Manager
• Security Analyst
• Trust Officer

Sample Professional Associations

• Association for Financial Professionals
  Membership represents a broad spectrum of financial disciplines, with resources such as networking groups, industry information and a job database.
• Financial Management Association International
  Dedicated to education, research and networking within the field of financial decision-making.
• Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
  Provides information on financial planning and certification.
• National Association of Real Estate Brokers
  Provides industry information, training and networking opportunities, particularly geared toward minority professionals.
  

Certifications

• Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Certified Financial Consultant (ChFC)

Student Clubs

• Financial Management Association

Sample SOM Career Services Library Resources

• Resumes for Banking and Financial Careers
• 100 Best Resumes to Sell Yourself
• 201 Best Questions to Ask on your Interview
• Best 109 Internships
• Internship Bible
• Big Book of Jobs (03-04)
• Career Opportunities in Banking, Finance and Insurance
• Careers in International Business
• Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Prep
• Power Networking – 59 Secrets for personal and professional success
• Vault Career Guide to Investment Banking
• Vault guide to Finance Interviews
• Washington, DC Job Bank

Organizations that have employed GMU Finance Graduates

American Express, Bank of America, BearingPoint, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, Cambridge Associates, Charles Schwab, Deloitte, Fannie Mae, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Freddie Mac, John Hancock, KPMG, Maximus, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SAIC, Securities & Exchange Commission, Scottrade, Inc., and TRW