Career Opportunities in Finance Outside Investment Banking

Investment banking is not the only career in finance. There are plenty of challenging and financially rewarding career options for you to choose form. A quick overview of finance careers will demonstrate the variety:

Commercial Banking

In commercial banking, you provide banking services for individuals and businesses though checking accounts, savings accounts and loans. You would start off as a credit analyst, evaluating the financial needs of your clients and suggesting what course of action they should take. The job requires knowledge of accounting and well-developed communication skills. From there, you can advance to Loan Officer, Branch Manager, Trust Officer and Mortgage Banker.

Corporate Finance

Working in corporate finance involves helping a company find ways to get more money, manage its existing financial resources and plan its financial future. Corporate banking jobs require advanced knowledge of accounting, extensive communications skills, ability to multi-task and, in many cases good people management skills. It is one of the more secure financial fields with plenty of growth opportunities.

Financial Planning

Financial planners help individuals manage their finances so that they would be able to save money for retirement, their children's education, etc. You would either work alone or as part of a company. A career in financial planning requires extensive knowledge of existing financial institutions and opportunities, good understanding of finance-related laws and great networking skills.

Insurance

Insurance professionals provide and manage insurance policies for individuals, businesses and miscellaneous groups. They also help their clients manage risks to avoid losses. The field has taken some hits in the wake of the most recent economic crisis, but it still holds many worthwhile opportunities.

Money Management

Money managers analyze market trends in United States and throughout the world and advise their clientele how to best use their financial resources. The field is not particularly friendly to newcomers, and you would have to work long and hard to make good money, but it can be rewarding on the long run.