When students think of finance careers, traditional roles like investment banking, financial analysis, or asset management usually come to mind. But finance offers many other paths for students interested in exploring unique, impactful careers outside the expected corporate ladder. On Sunday, November 3, the Life Design Lab hosted a program titled, “To, Through, and Beyond Wall Street” to show students just that! Thanks to alumni and staff, students were exposed to areas such as Venture Capital for Climate Tech, Corporate Finance, and Fintech.
The questions and discussion throughout the day got me thinking about how finance touches all industries in some way. It is not reserved for those bound for Wall Street or those headed down the CPA track. And even if one is pursuing those paths, there are perhaps unexpected or creative twists that students may encounter.
Here are just a few ways students can discover unexpected opportunities in the finance world that align with varied interests and skills:
1. Impact Investing
- What It Is: Impact investing is a growing field where finance professionals make investments that aim to generate positive social or environmental impacts alongside financial returns. Unlike traditional investments, impact investing requires a blend of financial acumen and a commitment to specific causes, such as renewable energy, affordable housing, or health equity.
- Why It’s Unique: This path is ideal for students who want to leverage finance for societal change. It’s a field where you can collaborate with nonprofits, foundations, and social enterprises, working towards solutions for pressing global challenges.
- How to Get Involved: Many universities have impact investing clubs or courses focused on sustainable finance. Students can start by joining these groups, seeking internships with firms specializing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, or attending conferences focused on impact finance.
2. Financial Journalism
- What It Is: Financial journalists research, report, and analyze financial news, providing insights into markets, companies, and economic trends. This role requires strong storytelling skills and the ability to break down complex topics in an accessible way.
- Why It’s Unique: Journalism offers a blend of finance and communications, appealing to those who enjoy analyzing numbers and explaining them to a broad audience. It’s also a path that allows professionals to influence public understanding of finance and economics.
- How to Get Involved: Students interested in financial journalism can start by writing for campus publications or interning with financial media outlets. Gaining experience with data visualization and honing analytical writing skills are also valuable steps.
3. Fintech Product Management
- What It Is: Product management in the financial technology (fintech) sector involves developing and optimizing digital tools for banking, investing, lending, or payments. Product managers work closely with engineers, designers, and data scientists to bring financial products to life.
- Why It’s Unique: Fintech is one of the fastest-growing areas of finance, blending tech and finance to improve accessibility and user experience. This career is great for students who are tech-savvy, innovative, and interested in designing tools that reshape finance.
- How to Get Involved: Students can explore fintech through internships, hackathons, or online courses in product management and financial technology. Staying updated on industry trends and learning programming or data analysis can also be beneficial.
4. Public Finance and Policy Analysis
- What It Is: Public finance professionals work within government agencies or policy organizations, analyzing budgets, funding public projects, or advising on fiscal policy. This path often involves assessing how financial resources are allocated and how policy decisions impact economic growth.
- Why It’s Unique: Public finance is a rewarding choice for students interested in the intersections of politics, policy, and economics. This field focuses on making data-driven decisions for public welfare and requires a deep understanding of economics and government finance.
- How to Get Involved: Students can intern with government offices, policy think tanks, or nonprofits focused on economic policy. Pursuing courses in public policy, economics, or urban planning can also provide foundational knowledge.
5. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Finance
- What It Is: CSR professionals in finance help companies measure, report, and improve their social and environmental impact. This includes strategizing sustainable practices and assessing risks related to climate change, resource scarcity, and ethical sourcing.
- Why It’s Unique: This path allows students to use finance as a tool for building a sustainable, socially conscious business environment. It’s ideal for those who want to drive change within large corporations.
- How to Get Involved: Students can seek internships with companies known for strong CSR initiatives or apply for roles within sustainability-focused consulting firms. Engaging in sustainability clubs or projects on campus can also provide hands-on experience.
6. Art and Entertainment Finance
- What It Is: Professionals in this field manage finances for the art world or entertainment industries, from structuring deals for artists to managing budgets for film productions. This requires an understanding of unique assets, including intellectual property and creative ventures.
- Why It’s Unique: For those passionate about arts or entertainment, this path provides a chance to merge creative interests with finance. It’s an exciting way to support the arts while building expertise in managing nontraditional assets.
- How to Get Involved: Students can intern with agencies or firms specializing in entertainment or art finance, or volunteer with art organizations to learn about their financial needs. Courses in arts administration or intellectual property law may also be helpful.
Finance offers a world of possibilities, and these are merely a few. By exploring nontraditional pathways, students can find fulfilling careers that align with their personal values and interests. As always, the Life Design Educators at the Life Design Lab serve as a resource to talk through these different aspects with students. Stop by and see us!
