William Paterson University Career Development and Gloria S. Williams Advisement Center “Goodwill is the only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.” —Marshall Field CAREERS IN…. Finance is the future-oriented business function of administering and managing money in order to best position a compa- ny to be competitive with others. In recent years, the field has transitioned and grown into managing the national trend toward corporate mergers and acquisitions. The outcome of this merger and acquisition trend, along with government deregulation, was the development of huge financial organizations that offer a wide variety of services such as banking, brokerage, real estate, insurance, and investment banking. Subsequently, within the finance field, jobs are grouped in various areas including corporate and public finance, banking, insurance, personal financial planning, investment bank- ing, and money management.
To concentrate in finance at William Paterson University, WPUNJ students must be a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Students complete a common 33 credit business core required of all business majors, with an additional 18 credits in the finance concentration. Classes within the concentration include, but are not limited to, Corporate Fi- nance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Taxation, and International Financial Management. All business majors must accumulate enrichment points through internship, practicum, and/or job shadowing alternatives. The finance department is home to the E *Trade Financial Center, the location for many finance courses and seminars.
WPUNJ Finance Department: http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/departments/econ-fin-globalbus/ WPUNJ Admissions: http://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/undergraduate/academic-programs/programs_detail.dot? id=125502
Interests & Skills… *Competency in mathematics *Reading comprehension *Critical thinking skills *Being able to give advice on finances *Computer skills *Being able to prepare financial reports *Data processing skills *Understanding how to read and create records *Active listening skills
Work Environment: Finance professionals, or careers related to finance, are located in a variety of industries and environments. Profession- als may choose to work in corporate or public finance within organizations, for financial companies, commercial or in- vestment banking, insurance companies, real estate, brokerage firms, trust companies, and personal financial planning for individuals.
Possible job titles: *Actuary *External Auditor *Appraiser *Finance Writer *Audit Manager *Financial Analyst *Bank Manager *Financial Consultant *Bank Representative *Financial Economist *Bookkeeper *Property Manager *Branch Manager *Rate Analyst *Budget Analyst *Real Estate Developer *Business Analyst *Sales Analyst *Loan Administrator *Trust Analyst *Business Manager *Financial Planner * Chief Financial Officer *Foreign Exchange Trader *Claim Adjuster/ Examiner *Government Official * Mutual Fund Manager *Industrial/Institutional Buyer *Mutual Fund Trader *Insurance Agent/Broker *Payroll Administrator *International Trade Specialist * Portfolio Analyst *Investment Banker * Treasury Management Specialist *Investment Researcher *Commodities Trader *Investor Relations *Consumer Credit/Loan Officer *Loan Officer *Controller *Loan Processor *Cost Manager *Management Accountant *CPA *Market Research Analyst *Credit Counselor *Mergers/Acquisitions Manager *Economist *Securities Analyst *Estimator *Securities Broker *Stockbroker *Systems Analyst
Where William Paterson Alumni Work: Director - Budget & Reimbursement Pascack Valley Hospital Director - General Accounting Marcal Paper Mills Internal Auditor K-Mart Director – Facilities Crothall Financial Analyst Accuhealth, Inc. Financial Consultant Ford Financial Group Retail Banking Manager Summit Bank Escrow Specialist Columbia Savings Bank Accounts Payable Manager American Cyanamid Underwriter State Farm Insurance Financial Advisor New England Financial Financial Analyst GFT (USA) Corp. Analyst Lehman Brothers Broker T.D. Waterhouse Disability Claims Manager Prudential Insurance Mutual Fund Pricing The Bank of New York Director Concentrated Stock Strategies Special Equities Trade Merrill Lynch Payroll Tax Specialist Lerner NY & Company Senior Investment Operator Prudential Bond Trader/Retail Broker R. Seelaus & Co Credit Analyst Valley National Bank Pricing Coordinator Hertz Corporation
Enhance Your Qualifications: Successful students tend to seek out opportunities to enhance their qualifications through a variety of means. Within finance, it is recommended to find an internship related to the student’s interest within the field. Participating in work- shops and seminars to help develop stronger computer skills, including spreadsheets, databases, and presentation soft- ware is beneficial; developing connections through networking may aid in finding employment; for some, thinking about getting an MBA may help enhance qualifications and aid in moving up the ranks joining the Student Business Associa- tion; joining a national professional marketing association; gaining practical experience through an internship/practicum/ job shadowing.
Related Web Sites: Finance Jobs www.jobsinthemoney.com Industry information http://www.careermag.com/MKT/Content/JS/Channels/AccountingFinance.asp Industry Information http://www.vault.com Advertising Age www.adage.com Occupational Outlook www.bls.gov/oco/ Job Search and Salary information www.rileyguide.com MBA information www.mba.com NJ Finance Information www.njnextstop.org
Other sources: Please drop by the Career Development and Advisement Center to learn more about careers in finance. The career li- brary carries career-specific books and counselors are available to answer any further questions you may have. Visiting the Economics, Finance, and Global Business department on campus may also prove valuable in addressing questions.
Compliments of: The Career Development and Gloria S. Williams Advisement Center http://www.wpunj.edu/career-advisement 973-720-2281/2653/2559
UPDATED 07/16/13