I'm also majoring in finance. I have been considering either going directly into an MBA program, or, getting a law degree and getting into corporate law.

 

im currently an accounting information system major. and the job opportunity for this major is top notch. especially with SOX act


but im going to switch to a new major called : corporate financial management. it combines both accounting and finance into one and makes it possible to explore all the opportunities that a finance/accounting major would have.

its very good.

 

i'm going to stay finance for now. but i'll be taking a closer look at accounting (cpa).

 

Why don't you talk to your career services dept or finance professors to see where previous finance majors from your school have been recruited? This will give you a good indication of how feasible a non-commsion based finance job is at attaining.

As said previously, client based finance positions can be extremely difficult in attaining if they are salaried. If you don't have the school name recognition, and i'm not talking about sport recognition, you can forget any type of investment banking, equities/fixed-income analyst, broker, etc...

If you do get the opportunity to interview for such a position be prepared to put on a show as you have ground to make up not being from a "typical" recruited school. Also be ready to be seriously grilled... they can ask some pretty serious finance related questions and expect dead-on answers.

Now lets say you get the offer. Be prepared to work lllooonnnggg hours (i.e. you will not leave before 8pm, which is a 12hr day). I have a friend in i-banking working regular 90-100 hour weeks with occasional 120hr weeks (17hr days, 7 days a week). However, this is *slightly* extreme for public finance; i-banking is typically the most extreme but expect an environment similar. The money is there, millions within 10 years of work if you last that long. Most people burn-out before then or get fired for lack of performance.

Corporate finance (i.e. private) is MUCH more subdued. This is usually your 9-5 job with decent pay, decent benefits. In this situation you will usually perform some basic accounting work but emphasize on financial work. This is for the individual looking for a work-life balance in a much less competitive, more forgiving field.

I'm a senior accounting major (GF is a finance major) so this is my bit on accounting. ITS HOT! Thank you Sarbanes-Oxley (you might hear "Sarbox", SO, "404", etc...). Public and private fields are in desperate need of bodies (breathing seems to be the only requirement for some positions, its that hot). Public accounting (auditing, tax, enterprise-risk) with any of the "Big 4" (PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, KPMG, and Earnst and Young) are the major employers of students looking into public accounting. These firms are pretty competitive due to high salaries and generally good opportunities. A CPA in this field is a MUST (not for entry level but expected by the end of the two-year work requirement of the CPA prong). Expect to work 55-80hrs a week in public.

Private accounting is also hot due to Sarbox. This is less competitive but still a very good field for a person looking for a more 9-5'er with a more relaxed atmosphere. A CPA is a def. plus in this field but is not required.

You really need to find out if accounting or finance is for you. Yes they are related, but still different fields. Then decide if public or private is for you. You can then follow opportunities in whichever you chose.

I hope this helps (sorry for being long but this isn't a simple situation).

Chris