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Within the business world, banking and finance is a large sector to explore. Some popular interests of students include commercial banking, corporate finance, and investment banking.

• Commercial banking: Involves companies that accept deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and offer loans to businesses or individual clients.
• Corporate finance: Manages money for shareholders, in order to increase short-term and long-term gains and evaluate the efficiency of financial operations. Some areas to work within include: capital structure, investments and valuation, dividend policy, and working capital.
• Investment banking: Focuses on raising capital and providing expert knowledge in financial consulting to other companies. Investment bankers may also help with facilitating mergers and acquisitions, as well as valuing the price of stocks or bonds that companies may want to sell.

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Explore deeper insights in the Careers in Commercial Banking, or join a professional association such as the American Finance Association and the Association for Financial Professionals.

Consulting is a versatile career choice that attracts individuals with a passion for problem-solving and strategic thinking. As consultants, professionals have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, from startups to multinational corporations, helping them navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. With its collaborative nature and emphasis on innovation, consulting provides an exciting and fulfilling career path for those who thrive in dynamic and intellectually stimulating environments. Some popular areas of consulting include management, financial, information technology, and human resources.

• Management: Provides consulting services to organizations to improve their performance, organizational structure, efficiency, or profits to reach specific goals. Strategy and Operation roles fall under here.
• Financial: Advises clients on financial matters, including investment strategies, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and financial planning.
• Information technology (Tech): Assists organizations with IT strategy, system implementation, software development, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Human resources: Provides guidance, expertise, and support to organizations in managing their human resources (HR) functions more effectively.

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To consider consulting further, read the Top Management Consulting Firms or join a professional association such as the Institute of Management Consultants.

This area refers to the managing of various types of financial assets in order to obtain a certain monetary objective. Overseeing investments can include responsibilities ranging from buying and selling holdings, short-term/long-term portfolio strategies, banking, budgeting, and tax services. Investment management can also be referred to as money management, portfolio management, or wealth management.

There are three primary areas within investment management:

• Financial services and wealth management: Advises individual clients on managing their money to ensure present and future stability. The work in this field may include helping clients prepare for investments such as their first home purchase, children’s college fund, or retirement savings. Additionally, wealth management is a niche area of financial services which focuses on addressing the fiscal needs of affluent clientele. 
• Private equity: Purchases a stake and invests in private companies, which are not listed on the public stock exchange, with the primary goal of repositioning the company to perform better and become more profitable. These investments may be short-term or long-term.
• Venture capital: Serves as a distinct type of investment within private equity. Venture capital buys a stake and typically invests in private, entrepreneurial, start up companies that have much greater risk and return in terms of profitability.

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To dive deeper, join a professional association such as the Certified Financial Planners Board, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, or the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.