Finance is one of the most sought after post-MBA careers. Finance, in itself, is a pretty large subject encompassing a variety of specializations. To tell someone that you want to do an MBA in Finance will probably only portray that you have an analytical mind and are great with numbers (and, of course, you are looking to earn big money when you graduate). Well this impression that you give to others might be right or it might be wrong.

To talk intelligently about your Career Path, you should know enough about the different aspects of Finance and also know the kind of function your abilities and aspirations match well with.
The following few posts will describe what each of the functions is about. A quick read through them might help you gain a good basic understanding about the different finance functions and types of job opportunities in these functions. It might help you focus your essays on a specific topic and will definitely make a good impression on people who you talk to regarding your career path post-MBA.

Significant percentage of MBA graduates are career switchers. The career switch might be from one industry to another or from one function to another or it might be both.

Keeping that in mind, we emphasize that there is no typical profile of an applicant who would like to pursue a career in finance post MBA. The common thread of skills that we see in people applying to business schools with aspirations to enter the finance industry are -

1. Excellent Quantitative skills
2. Detail oriented personality
3. Great Analytical abilities
4. Not afraid of large amounts of data

If you think that you match this description, there is a good probability that you will do well in a finance related profile. But then there are so many others who will fit into this description too. Now the question arises - How do you differentiate yourself from all the others?

Well, a little more information never hurt anyone. It will definitely work to your advantage to know more about the function in Finance that you are interested in. So read on....

Investment Banking: One of the most sought after career tracks.

Questions? Discuss or Contact Us, if you have specific questions about Finance as a career option.

Note: Large portion of the content on the sub links has been borrowed from the UCLA Anderson School of Management website. © 2008 UC Regents