What Can You Do With a Degree in Finance?

A bachelor's degree in finance can open the door for a wide range of career opportunities that may be similar or different from each other. A finance degree is one of the most valuable college degrees and one of the only degrees associated with high entry-level pay rates. The most common type of institutions that employ finance professional are banks (retail banks, commercial banks, investment banks), money management firms, wealth and asset management firms, hedge funds, private equity firms, real estate firms, consulting firms, insurance companies, and fintech firms as well as non-profit institutions and government agencies.

The Department of Finance opened in fall 2015. Finance is a growing field for Brooklyn College students that offers ample career opportunities. Brooklyn College alumni with a degree in finance work in many areas such as accounting, administration, business development, finance, IT, operations, and sales, among others.

Finance majors must be aware that the market for finance professionals in New York City is vibrant and highly competitive — entry-level jobs are highly sought after. It is critical that students complete a minimum of one professional internship before graduation — those who sign up with the Magner Career Center early will have the biggest advantage at graduation.

Top 10 Employers for Finance Alumni (Based on LinkedIn)

There is a lot of information available on LinkedIn, including profiles of more than 3,300 Brooklyn College alumni who graduated with a degree in finance. Join the Brooklyn College Alumni group and see where alumni are currently working, their skill sets, and their career progression. You can filter further based on employer, class year, etc.

What Is the Average Finance Salary?

The amount earned from a finance career varies based on what type of position is pursued. For example, a financial analyst with a finance degree is likely to earn an average salary of about $77,000, while a real estate appraiser with the same degree is likely to earn around $49,000. Finance majors who pursue careers as compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists or cost estimators make salaries between $58,000 and $59,000 on average. These professionals organize a company's benefits programs or estimate the cost that it takes to create a certain product. In contrast, financial examiners who advise businesses on investment strategies earn average salaries of $75,000 to $76,000.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for financial analysts was $85,660 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,540, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $167,420.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for financial analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

$101,410 — Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities
$84,540 — Professional, scientific, and technical services
$83,640 — Management of companies and enterprises
$81,420 — Credit intermediation and related activities
$78,870 — Insurance carriers and related activities

Most financial analysts work full time, and about three in 10 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2016. Much of their research must be done after office hours because their days are filled with telephone calls and meetings.

The best approach to determining possible salaries is to research them on websites like Indeed.com and Salary.com. Also, Glassdoor has a long list of job titles with average salaries noted.

On-Campus Resources

There are a number of resources on campus that will help you learn more about finance career options. Attend events and keep current on the resources available to you.

Magner Career Center

The Magner Career Center has a wealth of information on everything you need to get started in your career, help with résumés, an internships database, job fairs, etc.

The center hosts frequent career events, including those for finance and business majors, and the Accounting / Finance Boot Camp. Various workshops are also hosted by financial services firms.
You can get matched with alumni that majored in finance at Brooklyn College to learn about their experiences, seek career advice, and develop a professional relationship.
The center's YouTube channel features videos featuring business / finance alumni, students, employers, and events.
HireBC offers starter, competitive internships, and even jobs postings from Brooklyn College's dedicated Job Board. Access HireBC via BC WebCentral, under the Career Tab. Many alumni post positions with hopes of working with Brooklyn College students. Upload your résumé for higher-level positions that require an "approved" résumé.
Sabine Saint-Cyr is the liaison to the School of Business and Paula Cohen is the career adviser. These are the right people you need to meet with for guidance. For more information or to set up appointments, visit the center's website, call 718.951.5696, or visit 1303 James Hall.

Department of Finance Resources

The Department of Finance offers a bachelor of business administration (B.B.A.) degree, with a concentration in finance and investments. The undergraduate program in finance prepares students for professional positions with many Wall Street firms, such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase. The program also prepares students for finance positions in mutual funds, securities firms, commercial and investment banks, brokerage firms, investment advisory services, and other financial institutions.

Advising Office

The Advising Office for accounting majors can provide guidance in applying to graduate schools. Zina Sharperson is the senior adviser for the finance major.

M.D. Sass Investment Institute

The M.D. Sass Investment Institute (MDSII) provides students the opportunity to learn value investing strategies. Students help manage the MDSII long/short equity hedge fund under the supervision of seasoned investment professional managers while gaining valuable real-world experience.

Additional Finance Events and Resources on Social Media

Facebook—BC Koppelman School of Business: In the Know
Facebook—Murray Koppelman School of Business at Brooklyn College
Instagram—Koppelman Student Leadership Council

Student Clubs

Association of Latinos Professional for America
BC Marketing Society
The Brooklyn Investment Club is a student-run investment club supported by the Department of Finance that focuses on educating members and the application of investment techniques by performing trading simulation, security analysis, financial modeling, and participating on various trading challenges.
Koppelman Student Leadership Council
Koppelman Toastmasters
National Association of Black Accountants
Smooth Talkers

To find all clubs and the latest events, search for the names of clubs and sign in to RSVP for the events you would like to attend.

Off-Campus Resources

ModernGuild

ModernGuild offers training programs across two industry tracks—consulting and finance—at no cost to students. Following the two-week Virtual Career Fair, ModernGuild advocates on your behalf based on your company and position preferences.

CUNY Finance Meetup

In partnership with Project BASTA, the CUNY Finance Meetup is the premier hub for CUNY students interested in pursuing careers in the financial services sector.

CFA Institute

The CFA Institute is a global association of investment professionals. The organization offers the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement designation, and the Investment Foundations Certificate.

WayUp

WayUp is a U.S.-based job site and mobile app for college students and recent graduates. Job candidates using the service complete an online profile that matches them with employers based on the candidate's interests, experience, and skills.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) has tons of resources for a budding professional. Expert online tutorials on everything from Excel basic-to-super-user level to time management, business phone etiquette, customer service skills, and much more. Free premium access can be granted to individuals with a valid New York Public Library card or Brooklyn Public Library card.