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Kogod School of Business
- What does the finance industry do?
- What does employment in the financial industry look like in the next 10 years?
- How has AI impacted the financial sector?
- What types of skills do finance professionals need?
- What types of jobs can I get with a finance degree?
- Why get a finance degree at Kogod?
To most, the financial industry conjures up very specific images: Wall Street, stock market tickers, big banks...But this traditional view of the industry only tells a small part of the story. A career in finance can take you down vastly diverse paths and sectors, and getting a finance degree can open doors that you might not have ever considered or known existed.
So, what does the finance industry do?
Finance covers a wide variety of fields unified by their role in providing financial services to individuals or companies. Banks, insurance companies, real estate brokers, and investment firms are all included in the financial sector, and finance companies make up a huge portion of the S&P 500; in other words, many of the largest companies on the stock exchange offer financial services.
What does employment in the financial industry look like in the next 10 years?
As of 2022, there are approximately 6.6 million Americans working in the finance and insurance industries, and the years ahead show promise for even more opportunities to enter the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in the next 10 years, the financial sector will experience a faster rate of job growth than the average for all occupations, with 963 thousand jobs projected to become available each year. With so many opportunities, it’s an incredibly opportune time to consider a career in finance.
The finance sector, including financial technology, continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas of the global economy, with opportunities expanding across asset management, corporate finance, private equity, and public policy."
Ali Sanati
MS in Finance Program Director, Kogod School of Business
“Kogod’s finance programs equip students with the practical, hands-on experience they need to thrive in this dynamic field, while also offering unmatched access to career opportunities through our location in Washington, D.C.—a hub for private sector firms, international organizations, and public-sector institutions," says Ali Sanati, Program Director for Kogod’s MS in Finance program.
How has AI impacted the financial sector?
Artificial intelligence has become integrated into many fields and roles, and finance is no different. Companies are utilizing AI to streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks, and advise their customers through chatbots. In 2025, companies are poised to see the continued introduction of new AI tools and technologies, but they’re also expecting to start determining whether or not their existing investments in AI have paid off so far. Additionally, financial companies have noted sustainability as a priority for their customers, and will need to determine how to balance AI’s current energy demands with environmentally conscious moves like lowering emissions and supporting environmental causes.
What types of skills do finance professionals need?
Working in finance requires strong analytical skills and the ability to translate current events into predictions for the future. Forecasting plays a major role in finance, and many financial institutions hire experts whose role is to predict trends. To be successful in a finance role, it’s vital to be able to analyze changes in everything from interest rates and credit quality to the geopolitical landscape to determine how people and companies will handle their money.
Beyond being able to interpret complex data and make informed decisions, financial professionals also need a wide array of interpersonal skills, including communication and problem solving. Many roles in the field involve interfacing with clients to understand their financial needs and issues, and success in these roles depends on the ability to present information clearly and advise on the best course of action.
What types of jobs can I get with a finance degree?
The skills learned while getting a finance degree can easily translate across sectors; companies and organizations of all types rely on financial experts to guide their decisions.
Finance graduates can go on to become bankers, accountants, fund managers, and insurance agents, as well as real estate agents and venture capitalists. Additionally, the groundwork set by a finance degree can prepare students to earn professional certifications that can further expand job opportunities. Certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and FRM (Financial Risk Manager) all represent a high standard of financial expertise, and professionals with these certifications often go on to become financial analysts or advisors.
Banking companies are among the best-known names for employers in the finance industry, with major players including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. Other well-known employers for finance graduates include insurance companies such as Travelers, investment companies like Fidelity, and technology firms like Google, IBM, and Intuit. At Kogod, you’ll get the chance to network with these employers yourself, whether it’s through sponsored case competitions or guest speakers.
Why get a finance degree at Kogod?
Over the course of pursuing a finance degree at the Kogod School of Business, you’ll learn not only the institutional and theoretical frameworks of the financial sector, but also how to translate that knowledge into solving real business challenges. Whether your course is hosting a Fortune 500 CFO as a guest speaker or you participate in one of Kogod’s case competitions, Kogod provides endless opportunities for hands-on learning within real-world business contexts. Kogod finance students have the opportunity to put their growing skills to work through the highly popular Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) courses, where they invest real money from the university’s endowment in the market. Several finance courses at Kogod focus on specialized subsectors of the finance industry, like sustainable finance, ESG investing, and international finance.
With a finance degree from the Kogod School of Business, you’ll not only have the knowledge to succeed in the financial industry, but you’ll also graduate with practical, hands-on experience that will set you apart as you begin your career.