Skip to content
Log in
Research career paths

Your Guide to Finance Internships

Explore our comprehensive guide to the best finance internships for college students.

Internships for finance majors

As a major with so many career path options, finance gives you many options to choose from for internships. There will always be an opening for a great finance internship, as the field is always looking for smart and capable finance students to hire and guide.

In your finance internships you’ll gain skills in client relations, organization, accountability, and problem-solving among many others. Internship opportunities for finance students can foster great exploration of the field, since there are many paths for a finance major to consider and understand.

How do I get a finance internship?

Getting an internship in finance could not be more exciting considering the sheer amount of opportunities at different companies. Finance internships during summer 2021 will provide you with many valuable experiences, giving a real taste of what it’ll be like to work in finance down the line. You’ll connect with potential mentors, learn financial trade secrets, and build relationships with coworkers with a range of expertise. It’s also a plus if it’s a paid finance internship!

The best finance internship programs strengthen resumes, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even turn into full-time jobs. If you consider all of these perks of a finance internship and add the benefit of exploring different areas of one field, then start your finance internship search now!

Tips for your resume and profiles

Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, an impressive finance internship is more attainable than ever. Recruiters on Handshake are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in finance than an unfinished one.

Tips for your internship interview

When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.

Tips for networking at your finance internship

Once you’ve landed an internship in finance and settled into the flow of day-to-day life in your role, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.

Want more tips for getting the most out of your finance internship?

Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.

Jobs you can get as a finance major

Wondering where the “finance internships near me” are? Internships in finance can fall under any of the following roles we’ve listed here for you! Internships are meant to guide you towards your true desired career path and your summer 2021 finance internship could kick it off in the right direction.

For internships, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for finance internships in Chicago, finance internships in Boston, finance internships for sophomores, finance internships in Houston, paid finance internships or finance internships in NYC. The following job roles and suggestions on where to apply for finance internships can guide you in the right direction for whatever you’re looking for.

Business Analysts

Business analysts and management consultants provide organizations with valuable strategic insights and strategies on how to ensure prime efficiency in the workplace and improve weaker areas of their finance. They often possess a finance degree and have extensive knowledge on finance practices and organizational behavior.

Companies you can apply to: EY LLP, Accenture, Wayfair

Average pay: $70,000

Accountant

Accountants record and analyze data from financial records. After assessing a person or company's accounts, accountants advise their client on the best way to organize and manage their funds.

Companies you can apply to: Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, EY LLP

Average pay: $50,000

Public Relations Managers

Public relations managers and specialists communicate with journalists and media outlets to promote news and create a specific public image for an individual, group, or organization. Their responsibilities may include managing social media accounts, writing press releases, and planning press events.

Companies you can apply to: Insight Global, Ignite Mental Health, Nestle USA

Average pay: $38,000

Project Manager

Project managers (PMs) oversee the planning and execution of given projects for a company or client by managing a team of workers, scheduling deadlines, and acting as the point of contact for any outsourced resources.

Companies you can apply to: Kiewit, Microsoft, Fidelity Investments

Average pay: $55,000

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect and compile data to produce useful insights for a given project, client, or organization. By identifying trends and drawing conclusions from those trends, data analysts are able to provide quantitative and qualitative reasoning to support or oppose a finance decision.

Companies you can apply to: Bank of America, Amazon, Facebook

Average pay: $58,000

Auditor

Auditors examine the financial records of businesses and individuals to prove their legitimacy and legality. By analyzing and reporting their finals, they also give their clients recommendations on how to avoid risky financial situations.

Companies you can apply to: Credit Suisse, CohnReznick LLP, Facebook

Average pay: $56,000

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers oversee the promotional efforts of a company through marketing and advertising campaigns. They manage the research, planning, strategy, and execution of the company's marketing initiatives, which ultimately aim to increase sales or brand awareness.

Companies you can apply to: KPMG LLP, Apple, Microsoft

Average pay: $42,000

Tips and tricks for your finance internship

Want tips for getting and acing your finance internship? Look no further.

How to get an internship in finance?

When searching for finance internships, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint finance internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy finance internships in your preferred city are just a search away.

You can even research possible job roles that you might want to explore during your finance internship. Handshake also makes it easy to learn about roles in finance simply by using the job role search bar.

And if you want to take your research one step further, you can even research top employers in the finance field on Handshake. Just by using the Handshake employer search feature you can discover companies that are hiring in your specific field by filtering by “Industry.”

Where can I intern for finance?

Some companies that would be great for finance majors looking for internships: Facebook, Credit Suisse, and EY LLP.

finance internships for college students can be found all over! Even companies that don’t seem to have a main focus in finance are looking for bright interns to help them develop.

Are finance internships paid?

Yes, you can find paid finance internships on Handshake by using the search filters!

How much does a finance intern make?

The average annual pay for full time jobs in finance range from $38,000 to $70,000.

Are internships necessary for finance majors?

While it's not always required, internships are great opportunities for growth and experience. From summer finance internships to the best finance internships, you’ll be able to build both hard and soft skills. You’ll even network with some of the finest industry professionals.

What does a finance intern do?

Along with networking and gaining mentorship, finance interns will spend time working on skills great for later in their career journeys. Finance interns will learn how to organize and file client records, communicate their analysis effectively, and collaborate with a team of professionals on a goal.

What can you learn from a finance internship?

During your finance internship, you’ll learn some great generic skills like time management, accountability, organization, and teamwork. Additionally, you’ll be immersed in the world of finance which will help you develop your knowledge of quantitative aptitude, how to manage finance projects effectively, and about your company’s supply chain.

What should finance interns put on their resume?

When putting together your resume, make sure to have all your skills, courses, and accomplishments laid out for employers to view. Also having your preferred job role and location on your Handshake profile is a great way to signal your interest to potential recruiters.

For finance interns, some great skills to list would be specific technical skills, time management, ability to follow through and execute, and ability to contribute and collaborate in a team setting. It’s also key to mention organizations or projects that you led and can explain thoroughly.

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.