Â鶹APP

Key Takeaways from This Article

• Explore eight broad categories of job roles in finance, ranging from management to investment and trading to research
• Find out what people in these job roles do and the typical job titles they have
• Learn about the skills and expertise that successful finance professionals possess  
• Discover how undergraduate and graduate programs at Illinois Tech’s Stuart School of Business can prepare you to launch and advance your career in finance 

If, as the saying goes, money makes the world go ’round, then it is finance professionals who keep everything spinning. Finance and the global financial system make business and the modern economy possible, touching virtually every part of our lives in one way or another. As a result, finance-related jobs can be found in all kinds of businesses and industries and in the nonprofit and public sectors.

From Main Street to Wall Street and from startups to multinational corporations, the field of finance is known for offering a wide variety of jobs that are fast-paced, interesting, and well-paying, with opportunities for career advancement.

If you’re interested in finance, here’s some more good news. According to the United States Bureau of Labor, finance professionals in occupations such as , , and are earning six-figure salaries (median pay in 2024) and the number of jobs in those fields is growing fast.

What Kinds of Jobs Can You Get with a Finance Degree?

From corporations and commercial banks to hedge funds and trading firms, the variety of jobs related to finance is immense. To get started looking for a finance career that fits with your interests, listed below are some broad categories of job titles in finance, most of which offer career opportunities across a range of companies, organizations, and industries.  

For all of these examples, a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in finance or a closely related discipline would be an important credential to have when you apply for a job opening.  

Financial analyst

• Conduct research and make recommendations for investments and investment portfolios, including: evaluating individual companies; assessing the performance of stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments and assets; and studying economic trends affecting the value of investments
• Other related job titles: equity analyst, private equity associate, venture capital analyst, ratings analyst, securities analyst, and budget analyst 

Financial manager

• Oversee finances, or functions related to finance, within a company, organization, or governmental entity, including preparing budgets, financial statements, and reports and supporting financial decision-making
• Other related job titles: finance officer, treasurer, controller, and chief financial officer 

Financial adviser

• Advise individuals about the management of their money, assess their financial needs, and help them make plans to reach their short- and long-term financial goals. Provide advice to clients in areas such as investments, insurance, mortgages, estate planning, taxes, and planning for retirement income
• Other related job titles: financial planner, wealth management associate, and financial planning analyst 

Investment banker

• Help corporations and other clients with strategic decisions related to raising capital, such as by issuing stock or borrowing money and advising on mergers, acquisitions, and selling companies
• Other related job titles: investment banking analyst, corporate strategy analyst, and merger and acquisitions analyst

Portfolio manager

• Responsible for the overall strategy, composition, and performance of the investment portfolio for an individual, company, or organization, including choosing the mix of financial products and industries in the portfolio.
• Other related job titles: valuation analyst, fund manager, and hedge fund manager

Financial risk manager

• Analyze metrics and assess financial data and statistics to gain insights and make recommendations for a company or organization to manage and limit operational and compliance risks.
• Other related job titles: credit risk analyst, risk management specialist, and financial risk analyst

Financial quantitative researcher  

• Conduct analytical research with large data sets, develop and apply mathematical and predictive models, and leverage other methodologies to support functions such as options pricing, risk management, and trading operations at financial firms  
• Other related job titles: options trading quantitative researcher, quantitative developer, and quantitative researcher  

Derivatives trader

• Oversee transactions that clients make to buy and sell derivative securities on the exchange or over-the-counter. This includes forming strategies for investments, tracking factors that affect the investments, and using statistical methods to analyze stock market data and evaluate investment performance.
• Other related job titles: exchange trade derivatives analyst, institutional trader, quantitative trader/researcher, and derivatives business analyst 

Skills and Experience Add Up to Career Success in Finance 

At either the bachelor’s or graduate level, a degree that combines foundational courses in finance and specialized courses in an area you want to focus on, plus real-world experience through an internship or previous job can prepare you to become a finance professional.

Having strong technical financial skills, expertise, and experience that match the functions of a position will always be key to your chances of landing a job. In the finance industry, though, soft skills are gaining importance to employers.(1)  

Here is a sampling of types of skills that are valuable for finance professionals.  

Soft skills:

• Communication, relationship building, and customer service
• Teamwork and collaboration, both within and across departments
• Attention to detail, precision, and accuracy
• Flexibility and the ability to improvise
• Adaptability to keep up with evolving technology and changing regulatory requirements
• Ability to learn quickly and think on your feet

Business and analysis:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Strategy, negotiation, and decision-making
• Organization and time management
• Knowledge of accounting and budgeting

Quantitative skills:

• Data analysis, statistics, math/numerical facility, and logic
• Quantitative, analytical, and technical skills
• Financial modeling and software development
• Skills in Python and other programming languages and in developing algorithms 

(1) , CFA Institute Insights, June 10, 2025. 

Expand Your Career Options in Finance at Illinois Tech 

Located in Â鶹APP, a global center for finance and home to the world’s largest markets in derivatives, Illinois Tech’s Stuart School of Business offers STEM-designated degrees in finance that bridge business and technology to place you at the leading edge of finance.  

At Stuart, you’ll find industry-focused courses taught by faculty who bring both outstanding academic credentials and experience as finance professionals to the classroom. For example, you can study financial theory and portfolio management with Associate Professor of Finance Ricky Cooper, who has held director-level roles at top investment firms in Boston and Â鶹APP. Or learn about financial risk management, commodities, and derivatives from Associate Professor of Finance Sang Baum Kang, whose career has included managerial positions in the energy sector. 

We support our students through networking, mentoring, and career development programs, and leverage our strong connections in Â鶹APP’s financial community to open up internship and job opportunities.

Bachelor of Science in Finance

• Build a solid foundation to launch your career in finance
• In addition to finance courses, this major provides a strong background in business fundamentals and analytical skills—accounting, business analytics, economics, management, statistics, and marketing—that will be valuable in any business career

Master of Science in Finance

• Develop higher-level skill sets and expertise to advance your career, especially in specialized areas of finance, such as investments, portfolio management, trading, and risk management.
• Ranked #26 in the United States by TFE Times (2025)
• Choose one of these concentrations to build your specialized expertise: Corporate Finance and Valuation, Financial Technology, Mathematical Finance, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Quantitative Modeling and Trading, Financial Technology
• Enroll full-time or part-time
• Convenient for working professionals, with evening courses in downtown Â鶹APP

Ph.D. in Finance

• Graduates are well positioned for upper-level roles in finance, research, and business, as well as for academic careers
• Master cutting-edge analytical and research techniques to solve complex problems in investment, corporate finance, and risk management
• Stuart’s faculty provide exceptional mentorship and research collaboration for students 

Questions?

Connect with us for information about scholarships, hands-on work experiences such as internships, opportunities for mentorship, and the admission process at Stuart.