PLNU's finance graduates are skilled problem solvers and communicators who excel in being excellent stewards of personal and corporate financial resources. PLNU cultivates these strengths in an environment centered around intellect and faith while also equipping you to become a purposeful and trustworthy leader in your workplace. Graduates enter a field with a wide range of rewarding career options and opportunities in corporate, public, and nonprofit organizations. Alumni have held various positions at companies like Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, BD Medical Devices, TorreyCove Capital, and Intuit.
Majoring in finance can lead to the following careers:
- Financial analyst
- Investment manager
- Financial consultant
- Chief financial officer (CFO)
- Personal financial advisor
- Financial planner
- Finance manager
- Real estate investment advisor
- Commercial banker
What can you do with a finance degree?
Point Loma finance alumni have gone on to a broad array of employment. The following companies are just some examples of employers that PLNU alumni work for: Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, Stepstone Group LLC, Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg LLP, and Viasat. Along with a wide array of companies, there’s a versatile set of titles that PLNU finance alumni hold, some of the most prominent being: tax accountants, management consultants and business analysts, financial and investment analysts, financial risk specialists, and financial specialists.
The following are more examples of positions that PLNU finance alumni currently hold:
Financial Analysis and Investment Specialists
2020 Median annual salary $83,660
Financial analysis and investment specialists’ main job is to analyze financial data and create financial models for upper management to review. They are consistently checking and reporting their companies’ financial performance and work with others to find ways to improve financial statistics. Financial analysis and investment specialists work closely with accountants to ensure accurate financial reporting.
What it takes to be a financial analysis and investment specialist:
- Quantitative skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Adept logic skills
- Communication skills
Credit Analysts
2020 Median annual salary $83,660
A credit analyst's main job is to analyze their clients' investments or debts to determine the potential risk for the investor or lender. Credit analysts are typically employed by commercial and investment banks, credit card issuing institutions, credit rating agencies, and investment companies.
What it takes to be a credit analyst:
- Quantitative and analytical skills
- Diligence
- Proficiency in financial software
- Ability to work under pressure
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
2020 Median annual salary $65,810
Product and marketing specialists follow and interpret market conditions to capitalize on and inform clients and organizations of potential sales of a product or service. They’re experts at understanding which products people want, the buyers of those products, and what price those buyers are willing to pay.
What it takes to be a market research analyst or marketing specialist:
- Computer skills
- Math and analytical skills
- Confidence
- Multitasking capability
- Interpersonal skills
Alumni listed the following skills as the top strengths they acquired as a finance student at PLNU:
- Accounting
- Event planning
- Financial analysis
- Auditing
- Financial statements
- Investments
Using your finance degree beyond university:
This degree will prepare you with the skills needed to succeed in the global business environment. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialty in Finance also helps you form invaluable problem-solving, quantitative, and leadership skills that anyone you come across will welcome and appreciate. By studying finance at PLNU, you will gain communication and analytical skills that will prepare you for a bright future on whatever path you choose to take.
Apply to PLNU today or get connected with one of our counselors for additional support and answers to any questions you may have.