If you are considering a career in Finance through getting a Finance degree, you may be wondering what else you can do to prepare yourself for success in the field. One of the best options for gaining experience and also a competitive edge over the entry level competition when you graduate is to consider a finance internship. Below, we offer a basic primer on the most common types of successful finance internships, to help you decide what might be best for you and your career.
Banks
One of the first types of institutions that we all think of when we think finance is a bank, so it is only natural that it is first on the list. There are a wide range of positions and functions that you can serve in this field with a degree in finance, from banking specialist in accounts to CEO. Here are some of the banking companies hiring for internships now and well revered by the industry:
- Citigroup
- Bank of America
- JPMorgan Chase
- Wachovia
Credit Rating Agencies
Credit rating agencies are another popular choice for finance major,as they cultivate hands on learning in a very lucrative industry with long staying power in the economy. Here are credit rating agencies who offer great resume-friendly internships:
- Fitch
- AM Best
- Moody’s
- Standard & Poors
Investment Companies
Though many of us think that the future of investment companies has been stifled a bit by recent economic depression and downturn, it hasn’t. There will always be people looking to invest, and also looking to others for their financial expertise to make big financial decisions with. This said, review the following for some of the best internship training and prestige in the industry:
- Fidelity
- Vanguard
- T. Rowe Price
Life Insurance
Those who have financial degrees often turn to companies that offer life insurance. This is always a profitable market for those with an interest in it. Here are the top hiring companies for financial internships in life insurance:
- AIG
- John Hancock
- MetLife
- Prudential
- Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Accounting Firms
Another very common choice for the finance graduate is that of accounting firms, whose sole purpose is to keep track of and analyze public and personal finances. These employees work in both the public and private sectors, and can make a good salary, depending on their level of expertise and for whom they choose to work. Here are some great internship accounting firms hiring:
- Ernst & Young
- Deloitte
- KPMG
- Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Securities Firms
Those working at securities firms typically deal with the following areas of finance: investment banking, securities trading, financial advisory services, and/or securities brokerage. Those interested in any of these lucrative career functions and positions should consider a finance internship with one or more of the following:
- Goldman Sachs
- Merrill Lynch
- Morgan Stanley
- Wachovia
- Smith Barney
- Edwards Jones
