Offered by the Harris School’s Career Development Office and the Center for Economic Policy, this fully online, asynchronous course is designed to help Harris students explore career paths in finance while building the knowledge, tools, and confidence to prepare for internship and full-time recruiting.

As part of the Harris Careers in Courses series, this non-credit, on-transcript course introduces students to financial institutions, markets, instruments, and career pathways, with a primary focus on the private-sector financial industry.

Industry Insight

Learn about financial institutions, markets, instruments, and career paths through asynchronous modules designed to demystify the finance sector.

Career Preparation

Build practical knowledge around resumes, interviewing, networking, and recruiting timelines so you can approach finance opportunities with a clearer strategy.

Flexible Learning

Complete the course fully online and asynchronously through Canvas, with modules designed to support students balancing coursework, recruiting, and other commitments.

Who Should Enroll

This course is ideal for Harris students interested in careers in finance, including roles in financial institutions, investment management, banking, sustainable and impact investing, financial services, and related policy-relevant fields. No prior experience in finance is required.

While not required, this course is a strong complement for students considering the Finance & Policy, Markets and Regulation, or Municipal Finance specializations.

It is also ideal, but not required, for students to take this course before enrolling in:

  • Corporate Finance
  • Introduction to Sustainable and Impact Investing
  • Applied Financial Management

Students may elect to enroll in both Careers in Finance and Careers in Municipal Finance.

Course Format

Careers in Finance is a fully online, asynchronous course delivered through Canvas. The course includes six modules, each designed to build students’ understanding of the finance industry and support preparation for recruiting.

The first five modules include a pre-recorded lecture, lecture slides, and a 10-question multiple-choice quiz. The final module focuses on career development resources, including networking, resumes, and interviewing.

Students who successfully complete the course will have expanded their understanding of finance organizations, roles, and recruiting expectations while beginning to prepare for internship and full-time opportunities.

Practical Experiences

Applied Experience
Internship Program
Summer internships are a critical component in your professional development — a chance to use your new skills towards real-world problems.
Learn more about the Internship Program
Experiential Learning
Harris Policy Labs
Harris Policy Labs is a unique initiative in which teams of second-year Harris students apply their rigorous core education to real-time public policy challenges facing client organizations.
Learn more about Harris Policy Labs

Opportunities & Resources

Specialization
Finance & Policy
The Specialization in Municipal Finance prepares students for careers with local and state governments as well as private-sector financial and consulting firms. 
Learn more about the Finance & Policy specialization
Centers & Institutes
Center for Economic Policy
The Center for Economic Policy prepares students to understand how markets work, how policy shapes them, and how economic tools can be used to improve outcomes across society.
Learn more about the Center for Economic Policy