Careers for Masters in Finance
As you train to be a trusted advisor, trust the Weston Career Center to help pave the way.
Your unique background, professional experience and strengths, combined with the finance knowledge and skills you’ll gain in the finance program at WashU Olin, are all important pieces of your one-of-a-kind story—a story worth sharing.
As your partner, the Weston Career Center coaches are here to help you craft and share your story in ways designed to engage finance companies and firms. This will allow you to forge new, professional relationships and grow your network—a network that will become crucial to your job search strategy during your program and throughout your career journey.
By working with the Weston Career Center, finance students at WashU Olin have met with great success, both during and after their time at Olin. Our career coaches can work with you to make sure your offers are the best they can be and even coach you during the negotiation process. Find out more about the Weston Career Center.
Finance Career Highlights
Potential job titles
Analyst, financial analyst, business analyst, investment banking analyst, equity broker, equity research associate
Compensation
$71,204* (USA) Average FT total compensation
¥231,728* (CHN) Average FT total compensation
$22/hour* (USA) Average internship compensation
Employers that hire
RGA, Blackrock, PwC China, LockerDome, Goldman Sachs, Bank of China
*Data averaged from self-reporting students from the class of 2019 MSWAM, MSFC and MSFQ programs
Check out employment outcomes for all specialized masters—including compensation, location, employment by function and job source information—on our Employment Report (PDF)
Land the right position.
Individual coaching includes exclusive features like the Weston Career Services Model, an eye-opening, four-phase process that helps you uncover the unique differentiators that define your value in the marketplace.
The Self/Story/Strategy/Journey model guides you from your early career search stages to successfully landing internships and full-time offers in the industries you’re passionate about.
The Path to Empowerment
Everyone has a different path when it comes to their career. We’re here to help you find yours.
Self
Self: Look inward
What motivates you? What careers interest you? What type of company cultures fit your personality?
Through assessments, worksheets, reflection and partnering with your career coach, you’ll come to a clear understanding of what you want, your differentiating skills and what’s important to you in your future career.
Key resources
One-on-one coaching, assessment tools and career development events
Story
Story: Get personal
What’s your story? Why are you unique? What do you want to accomplish?
It’s time to create a personal introduction, draft your resume and tap into tools to highlight your unique narrative and skill set. You’ll meet with your career coach to hone your story so you stand out in interviews and when networking.
Key resources
Job search material best practices, templates and workshops, and personalized coaching and feedback on professional written and oral communication, such as resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, self-introduction pitch and STAR stories
Strategy
Strategy: Promote yourself
What type of position do you want? What organizations interest you? How can you best position yourself?
You’ll build a career search campaign and develop a list of target companies that fit with your unique personality and skill set. Your focus is on identifying networking opportunities, attending events and connecting with your Olin community.
Key resources
One-on-one coaching, career search timelines, practice interviews, networking events, career fairs (in-person and virtual), club professional events and experiential learning opportunities
Journey
Journey: Activate your search
Where have you applied? Have you followed up after interviews? Is that offer right for you?
Your career search campaign is in full swing. You’ve developed a list of target companies and are actively pursuing positions at them. And you’re regularly tapping into your career coach, industry experts and other WCC staff for support, interview practice and help evaluating offers.
Key resources
One-on-one coaching, Olin interview and offer database
You’ll have access to all these Weston Career Center services.
Career Stamp orientation: An interactive career orientation course where you’ll learn to develop and nurture effective relationships, understand the US job market, strengthen your communication skills and create a long-term checklist for success.
One-on-one career coaching: Receive individual support from your Certified Career Management Coach, who will listen to your pain points and help you grow your career readiness.
Group coaching: C2 Teams (Career Collaboration Teams) are support groups for students to share ideas and resources. You’ll find new friends and stay motivated as you search for internships and that first job.
Premium job search tools and resources: Wherever you are in your job search, we have tools and support you need. Our premium resources help you develop an understanding of hiring timelines, conduct research on your top companies and prepare for interviews by using AI technology. Your career coach will work with you to leverage these tools to increase your efficiency and effectiveness in the job-seeking process.
Signature programming: A variety of events keep you progressing on your career journey. Take advantage of global career connection events, employer information sessions, alumni panels, lunch and learns, and accounting-specific events.
Weekly newsletter: Subscribe to receive weekly updates about job openings, career events and workshops.
US and Asian job market opportunities: We’re continually working to add more job opportunities for Olin students and alumni.
The Olin network: Your network will be 25,000 strong and made up of successful professionals in the United States, China and around the world. Engage with WashU alumni via platforms like WeChat, learn.WashU, LinkedIn and WashU CNX.
Lifelong alumni career services: Your WashU degree entitles you to personalized career support from the Weston Career Center throughout your professional career—and even a second career or retirement. Learn more about alumni career services
MANAGEMENT 537 COURSE: Offered exclusively to finance students and facilitated by the SMP Career Coaching team, this unique course brings in a diverse group of speakers to share their professional experiences within the finance industry across the global markets in the United States and China.
Quick tip from SMP career coach Karissa Rusu:
“Financial firms consistently share that their ideal candidate should exhibit strong math and analytical abilities while also demonstrating excellent communication, interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.”
Career-Oriented Clubs: Find likeminded students and share valuable information by joining clubs relevant to your career path—Beta Alpha Psi, for example. This nationally recognized honor organization, historically run by finance students, is open to students and professionals in the financial area. Learn more about student clubs
Finance career search timeline
The search for your dream job starts the day you arrive at WashU Olin. To make it easier, we’ve created a Career Search Timeline (PDF) tailored specifically to MS Finance students. Simply follow the checklist that breaks down the process into small, manageable tasks—semester by semester—and you’ll be prepared to seize the opportunity when a potential internship or job opening presents itself.
Get to know other finance students and alumni.
Our MS Finance students and graduates and graduates are talented professionals who add tremendous value to their communities and society at large. Check out some of the featured MFS alumni below and learn more about their experiences with career coaching as well as their lives at—and beyond—WashU Olin.
Alyssa Rong, MSFQ 2018
Investment Analyst, Ascension Investment Management
“With support from alumni, classmates and career coach, I landed a job after a year of non-stop job hunting. Staying connected, continually challenging myself, and never giving up were my top three factors to success.” Ivan Yu, MSFQ 2020
Quantitative Analyst, Build Asset Management
“Job seeking is hard. However, I pulled through it with the great help of the Weston Career Center community. I would not have the full-time offer without your help!”
