2025 Guide: 10 Proven Ways to Start a Finance Career Without a Finance Degree

Landing a job in finance typically requires a degree in finance or business, but if you don't have one, don’t lose hope. With determination and the right approach, you can still launch a rewarding career in finance.

Employers seek candidates who are intelligent, motivated, and skilled. While a finance degree teaches technical skills like financial modeling, other essential abilities—such as communication, problem-solving, and time management—are equally important and can be developed outside formal education.

Here are 10 actionable strategies to showcase your capabilities and passion for finance, helping you stand out to potential employers. Each tip is evaluated by how challenging it is to achieve and the impact it can have on advancing your finance career.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need an MBA or finance major to succeed in finance.
• Completing relevant courses in finance or economics significantly enhances your profile.
• Securing an internship at a reputable firm boosts your resume and job prospects.
• Consider in-demand related fields like IT, mathematics, and platform development to expand your opportunities.

1. Master Financial Terminology

• Difficulty: Easy
• Impact: Low

Understanding Wall Street jargon like 'dilution,' 'dividend,' 'NPV,' and 'DCF' is essential. Use resources such as ZAMONA’s financial dictionary or publications like The Wall Street Journal to familiarize yourself with key concepts. Knowing the language of finance is critical for passing initial interviews.

2. Enhance Your Education

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Impact: High

If you hold a degree outside finance, consider supplementing it with courses in economics, accounting, or financial analysis. Pursuing an MBA or certifications like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) program can level the playing field and demonstrate your commitment.

3. Attend Financial Boot Camps

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Impact: Moderate

Enroll in intensive finance courses offered by providers like Wall Street Prep and Training the Street to gain practical skills such as advanced Excel techniques and financial modeling. Though costly, these short-term programs provide valuable hands-on experience.

4. Expand Your Financial Knowledge Independently

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Impact: High

Self-study through books, online courses, and financial news shows initiative and passion—qualities employers value highly. Leveraging free and paid resources, you can deepen your understanding without formal schooling.

5. Practice with Trading Simulators

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Impact: Low

Use platforms like ZAMONA’s trading simulators to build mock portfolios and stay updated on market trends. This practical experience can impress employers by demonstrating your market awareness.

6. Obtain Industry Certifications

• Difficulty: High
• Impact: High

Licensing courses, such as those from the Canadian Securities Institute or the Securities Industry Essentials Exam (SIE) in the U.S., showcase your dedication and prepare you for finance roles. While some exams require firm sponsorship, the SIE allows candidates to self-register.

7. Launch a Financial Blog or Social Media Presence

• Difficulty: High
• Impact: Moderate

Creating content around investment ideas and financial analysis highlights your expertise and communication skills. Many aspiring professionals use platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok to build their reputations as “finfluencers.”

8. Connect with a Mentor

• Difficulty: High
• Impact: Moderate

Find mentors in finance through professors, family connections, or former supervisors. Their guidance and referrals can accelerate your career development.

9. Secure an Internship

• Difficulty: Very High
• Impact: Very High

Internships remain one of the most effective ways to break into finance, especially at Wall Street firms where many full-time jobs are offered to former interns. For non-finance graduates, unpaid internships or volunteer opportunities can still provide valuable experience and networking.

10. Network and Persist to Get Your Foot in the Door

• Difficulty: Very High
• Impact: Very High

Submit applications to HR, broaden your job search geographically, and leverage your network to discover openings. Entry-level roles in finance companies—even outside core finance functions—can open pathways to your ideal position.

Can You Earn a CFA Charter Without a College Degree?

No. The CFA Institute mandates an accredited bachelor’s degree or equivalent. However, you can start the CFA program as an undergraduate if you expect to graduate within 11 months.

Top College Majors Among Finance Professionals

According to recent data, the most common majors in finance globally include Finance (23%), Business/Management (19%), Economics (14%), Accounting (11%), and Mathematics (7%), collectively representing nearly 75% of financial professionals.

Internship Hiring Rates in Banking

About 43% of finance interns who complete their responsibilities receive job offers. However, competition is fierce; for example, Goldman Sachs received 236,000 internship applications worldwide in 2022 but accepted only about 3,500 (1.5%).

Conclusion

While certain non-finance degrees like physics, mathematics, IT, and engineering are sought after for specialized finance roles, most non-finance graduates face significant hurdles entering the field. Utilizing a combination of the strategies outlined above will substantially improve your chances of launching a successful finance career.

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