Finance Offers Diverse Opportunities in a Competitive Environment

Finance encompasses sectors like commercial banking, asset management, and investment management. Alternative investments are a growing sector of finance as opportunities at hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital firms expand. The variety of career options within finance makes understanding your career goals, interests, and work-life preferences important.

Kogod’s finance program prepares you to successfully pursue professional financial careers in industrial, financial, government, not-for-profit, and consulting organizations. Amidst stiff competition, Kogod students have been successful in securing finance jobs through systematic networking and on-campus recruiting.

Financial careers require a solid knowledge of financial concepts, as well as a variety of essential skills including communication skills, problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and interpersonal skills.

Roles and functional areas for this industry include Investment Management, Investment Banking, Securities Trading and Sales, Financial Planning, Stock Brokerage, Alternative Assets, Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance, Institutional Securities Sales, Finance in Corporate Settings, Venture Capital, Private Equity Investment, Financial Technology (fintech), Financial Risk Management, Insurance, Wealth Management, and Mortgage Lending.​​​​​​

Key hiring months for internship programs for this industry are generally August through January but can begin as early as June. However, some opportunities may appear as late as May in the hiring cycle. Most companies only recruit Juniors for their internship programs, but some companies accept applications from strong Sophomore applicants. Hiring for full-time positions begins as early as the summer before Senior year, with opportunities available as late as May.

Investment banking: August – October
Venture capitalists: August – October
Corporate finance: August – November
Internships: October – February

Pipeline programs offer special opportunities for students and may or may not be function-specific. These exploratory programs are typically offered to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Some of these programs include:

  • JP Morgan’s Advancing Black Pathways, Winning Women, Launching Leaders, and Sophomore Edge Pre-Internship Program
  • Goldman Sachs’s Hispanic Latino Leadership Summit, Pride Summit, Undergraduate Camp, Women’s Leadership Camp, Diverse Abilities, Summer Analyst Insight Data and Exploratory Program
  • Barclays Sophomore Springboard
  • Morgan Stanley’s Freshman Enhancement Program
  • Deloitte R.I.S.E. Risk in Finance Advisory Case Competition
  • Bank of America Global Banking and Markets Sophomore Summer Analyst Program

International Students: Recruitment can vary depending on your function and industry interest, so check out more information on Interstride.

When searching for a job or internship: analyst, finance, investment, investment management, wealth management, asset management, banking, venture capital, due diligence, alternative investment, private equity, hedge fund, and mutual fund.

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Contact & Location

Phone
202-885-1908
Address

Kogod Suite 122
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016

Career Service Hours

Day of the week
Office Hours Peer Consultant Drop-Ins
Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Drop by our office for the PC Drop-In Hours or join virtually with Zoom at: kogod.info/careerdropin