What do bankers major in

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The Bottom Line. Key Takeaways Getting a college degree from a top school, with a major in finance, economics, or something related to business is preferable. Getting an MBA or some other advanced degree or certification in finance will give you an edge over other candidates.

Getting an internship at a top firm is critical for gaining exposure to the culture, on-the-job-training, a chance to impress potential employers, and networking. Network like crazy to find a job. Industry groups, school, the company you intern for, or even family and friends can all be good sources of networking opportunities. Article Sources. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work.

These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate.

You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy. Compare Accounts. You do not necessarily need a Masters degree to follow an investment banking career, but it can make you a desirable candidate and give you an advantage over others. If you choose to study for a Masters degree, you should look at areas that will be beneficial to potential employers.

Areas such as finance, investment management and wealth management are usually sought after, but business administration and computer science can also be fantastic choices. Developing complex quantitative skills can make you highly-employable. You will need to achieve at least a degree. Investment banks are interested in hiring graduates from all subject areas, not just finance.

But certain degrees can help give you key transferable skills and knowledge. Mathematics, economics or business degrees can be a good choice, as can specialist finance degrees such as banking and finance. After you have achieved an undergraduate degree, typically three years, you can go directly into a job in an investment bank.

If you have worked hard, achieved good grades and have gained experience through internships, then direct employment is a possibility. You could also study a Masters degree, which takes one year if you study full time, and can help you jump straight into an investment banker role. There is no specific degree to become an investment banker, with investment banks hiring graduates from most subject areas.

However, transferable skills from degrees like economics, business, mathematics and finance can give you an advantage. A career as an investment banker can allow you to work in different areas of an investment bank. This could be in corporate finance, debt capital markets or equity capital markets.

You will typically start in a junior position such as an analyst or an associate. These two to three year positions will give you the training to progress to associate level.

However, it's important to get the facts you need before you apply so you can make an informed decision. To do this, first learn about the different work experience opportunities and choose one that best suits your interests. By watching short videos of employees sharing their career stories, you'll get an idea as to whether investment banking is for you. When preparing your application, it's worth finding out what's required in the selection process. In addition to ensuring your CV stands out and is a true reflection of your skills and abilities such as collaboration, self-discipline and perseverance , you may also have to write an essay.

Make sure that your CV is tailored to the job description and specific internship you're applying for, and show there's a clear match. This advice is also applicable to those looking at finance graduate schemes while still at university, as you'll be prepared for making applications once you're about to graduate.

As investment banks place such strong importance on work experience, to progress to a graduate scheme your chances of success will be greater if you've already undertaken an internship or work placement with them. Explore the range of J. Morgan careers for students and graduates at J. Morgan - Student Programs , including its investment banking internship. You can also search for banking and finance internships.

If you're interested in working as an apprentice for a major investment bank, see the top UK banking apprenticeships. You can sign up for information sessions through your careers service, and you'll find opportunities to speak to employers at recruitment events. Virtual talks held online can also provide a taster of what your day-to-day work as an investment banker may involve. Meanwhile, there's no excuse not to be well-connected with employers on networks such as LinkedIn - many people end up finding a job with help from social media.

When you land your first role, whether this is a full-time position or internship, you should always keep in touch with your peers. Not only can they provide valuable careers guidance, they may even aid your career progression further down the line. Jobs and work experience Search graduate jobs Job profiles Work experience and internships Employer profiles What job would suit me?

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