Tag: application

How to Write a Cover Letter

While many jobs no longer require cover letters (especially most jobs on WayUp), when a job does require one, your cover letter could be a big part of whether or not you get to the next round. If you haven’t written a cover letter before (or even if you have), you may be wondering whether writing one is really necessary. The answer is yes, if you do it effectively. Think of your cover letter as your edge. If you write it well, it will give potential employers an insight into your personality, something that’s hard to discover by just skimming your resume.

Here’s our simple formula to writing an amazing cover letter.

Don’t restate everything in your resume. Instead, tell your story.

Think of your resume and your cover letter as a package — they complement each other, but they’re not the same thing. While your resume covers your educational background and work experience, your cover letter tells a story about who you are and what you’d like to do with your career. Since recruiters look through hundreds (sometimes thousands) of resumes every day, a memorable cover letter is more likely to stand out. Give them something to remember by highlighting some of your unique qualities.

Keep it short and to the point.

Cover letters should be short, sweet and to the point. Keep in mind that the recruiter is likely reading dozens or hundreds of them, so make yours pop in a succinct way, and definitely don’t make it longer than one page.

Opening paragraph

In two-three sentences, explain who you are and what position or program you’re applying for.

Second paragraph

Then, in one-two sentences explain why you want the job. Be sure to mention your knowledge of the industry and your interest in the company. This is where research will come in handy.

Third paragraph

In three sentences, explain why you’re qualified for the job. Include relevant work experience (paid and unpaid internships or other jobs you’ve had) and mention classes you’ve taken that have guided you towards this field.

Closing sentence

Your final sentence is all about finishing strong. Tell the employer that you look forward to hearing from them and include your contact information (email and phone number).

Ask an advisor or professor to look it over.

Once you’ve finished writing your cover letter, make a few edits to ensure that there are no typos. Then ask an advisor or professor to look it over, focusing on whether there are any additional areas you can highlight or any unique skills you can mention. Make sure to incorporate their feedback before doing a final edit and pressing send.

Although writing a cover letter isn’t always necessary when applying for a job, if done effectively it can be a valuable add-on to your job application. By following the steps outlined here, you can write a great cover letter and land the internship or entry-level job you’ve been dreaming of.

 

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out and find answers to common interview questions such as Are You Willing to Relocate?.

Top 10 Things You Should Look For In An Internship

If you’re just starting to look for an internship, you may be wondering about the best things to focus on. Whether it’s a paid or unpaid internship, the true value comes from what you put into it. And that starts with finding an internship that’s worth your while in more ways than one.

Here are the 10 things you should look for in an internship.

1. A chance to separate yourself from the pack

Look at your next internship as an opportunity to distance yourself from your peers. Imagine the next career fair you attend and imagine what you would like to share with the recruiter in front of you about how you spent your summer (or fall or spring) semester. Think about the experience and the skill set you will gain that will build your professional brand.

2. An opportunity to figure out what kind of career you want

One of the key parts of an internship is getting to experience a specific role or industry so that you can decide whether it’s something you want to pursue after graduation. When picking an internship, look for one that offers you a truly hands-on experience. This will allow you to make well-informed decisions down the line and find the career path that works best for you.

3. A chance to work with smart and motivated people

If you can thrive off the energy of others around you, you’ll naturally work harder and enjoy what you’re doing. By finding an internship at a company where employees are excited to come to work every day, you’ll naturally have a more enjoyable experience and will be more likely to choose a similarly positive work culture in the next phase of your career.

4. Access to mentors you can learn from

As you navigate what you’re looking to do professionally, it’s important to have mentors that you can rely on who will help you navigate the work environment you choose. Look for opportunities that have a built-in support system for interns to access higher level executives. Not only will this increase the exposure you get within the organization, but you will learn from people who have been working in the business or the industry with an expert-level understanding.

5. The chance to experience a new city

If you have the option, leverage your internship experience as a chance to explore a new city! This will help pull you out of your comfort zone of being on campus or at home for the summer.

6. The opportunity to add new tools to your toolbox

Sharpening what you’re learning in your classes and actually applying it is key. However, try to pick up other skills that your professors aren’t necessarily teaching you. Identify programs or tools that are relevant in your industry and become an expert at them. Not only will you make yourself more marketable after the internship, you’ll set yourself apart as the “fast-learner” who is looking to add value fast!

7. A way to test what you’ve learned

Validate your interest in the industry you’ve chosen by test driving what you’ve learned. Ask yourself if this is something you could see yourself doing for the long-haul and take the opportunity to explore different paths within your chosen profession. Internships are a great opportunity to get exposure to a potential career path without having to choose it for the long-run. Take this time to get a better understanding of what you like most.

8. A chance to identify with a culture that reflects your values

Find an internship that offers an environment that aligns with what matters most to you in a workplace. If you’re looking for summer Fridays (i.e. leaving the office on Friday at 2 p.m.), or you’re looking to work 100 hours per week, understand what the company values and what’s expected for the business.

9. An opportunity to work on projects that matter

One key goal coming out of your internship should be the ability to say how you were able to make an impact. Having the opportunity to work on real-world projects is key, and a killer thing to tout in your next interview. Understand the types of projects that interns have worked on in the past and what you might expect to work on during your time in the program. You can also gauge what kind of opportunity you’ll have to work on other side projects. Go into the internship with the goal of making the greatest impact you can make. This will help you walk away as the superstar for the summer and leave will you with a potential job offer after the internship is over.

10. A way to earn an income

Although money shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when it comes to picking an internship, it’s definitely something to keep in mind, particularly if you need an income to support yourself during the school year or the summer.

Getting work experience before graduation is certainly important, but you want to make sure that the internship you choose will benefit you in more ways than one. By following these tips, you’ll find an internship that’s right for you.

How to Get the Job You Really Want

When it comes to looking for a job, identifying the type of job you want is the single most important thing you can do. This will make it easier to be effective in your job search while also ensuring that you’re focusing on roles that match your interests and your skill set.

Here’s what you need to know about landing the job you really want.

1. Identify your career goals

Although it may seem a bit intimidating to outline your five-year plan when you’re just starting out, setting career goals is a great way to ensure that you’re focusing on the big picture and looking for roles that fit with your long-term plans. The best way to do this is by determining a specific career goal and outlining the steps you’ll need to take in order to get there. With this goal in place, you’ll be able to create a clear path for yourself and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Pro Tip: If you want to outline more than one goal that’s okay too, but be sure that at least one of your goals is something you can achieve within the next one to two years. Short-term goals are great for maintaining focus in general and when you’re just starting out, having achievable goals is even more important.

2. Develop the right skills

Once you’ve identified your career goals, it’s time to take stock of your skills and identify opportunities for learning and improvement. This will help you determine where to focus your energies and also give you a better idea of how to showcase your current skills in an impressive way.

Pro tip: Don’t panic if you don’t have all the skills you need for a specific job. Instead, look for ways to develop those skills by taking classes or taking on projects. Hiring managers are always impressed by candidates who take a proactive approach to learning and building your skill set in this way will show them that you’re a self-starter who is motivated to learn and grow.

3. Have a great resume

Although having a strong skill set is important, those skills aren’t enough without a great resume to showcase them. When writing your resume, be sure to focus on your key achievements in each previous role (including internships and part-time jobs) and to use numbers to quantify those achievements.

Pro Tip: Your resume should represent not only your accomplishments, but also the fact that you’re a well-rounded person, so don’t be afraid to include skills and achievements from extracurricular activities or individual projects.

4. Network effectively

Networking is a key component of professional success and it’s especially important if you’re just starting out in a particular industry (or when you’re looking to change industries). The best way to go about it is by reaching out to people in your alumni and social networks and staying in touch with co-workers and managers from your previous jobs. This is a great way to ensure that you’ll hear about new opportunities directly from people in your network and that you’ll already be on their radar when they’re looking to recruit for that the role that might just be your dream job.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have any contacts in your particular industry, don’t be afraid to send a cold email to someone you admire asking them to grab a cup of coffee or have a 15-minute phone chat. Chances are, they’ll say yes and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with someone who can help you understand the ins and outs of the industry.

5. Nail the interview

The final step to landing the perfect job is nailing the interview and this comes down to doing your research and being prepared. We recommend the R.E.A.F. approach — doing your research, being enthusiastic, asking questions and following up. Once you know who you’ll be interviewing with, take the time to research them and their role at the company. This will give you a sense of how your role will interact with theirs and help you understand their specific expectations for that position. Another great thing to do is to practice answers to commonly asked interview questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” and “What are you passionate about?” so that you can answer them confidently and present yourself in the best possible light.

Pro Tip: If you’re feeling nervous about the interview, try practicing with a friend. Ask them to quiz you on specific questions and to give you feedback on your answers. This is a great way to get a confidence boost and will also help you realize that the interview is really just a conversation.

Having a plan of attack is the first step to landing the job you want. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting there.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Things to Do in Your First Week at a New Job and find answers to common interview questions such as What’s Your Dream Job?

What Is an Auditor?

With a projected growth rate of 11 percent over the next eight years, auditing is one of the fastest-growing professions around. Because it can provide exposure to many sectors of the economy (including tech, media, and sports), it’s also among the most exciting professions in which to be involved. To learn more about the world of auditing, we sat down with the team at the CAQ (Center for Audit Quality) to find out why auditing can be a great career path for recent grads.

Here are some of the key things you need to know about being an auditor.

What is an auditor?

An auditor is a professional—usually a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)— who reviews financial records to check their accuracy. Depending on their specialty, auditors can work for corporations, government agencies, or public accounting firms. Public company auditing is one of the most popular types of auditing, focusing on reviewing the financial records of companies in a broad range of industries including media and tech.

What do auditors do and why is it important?

Auditors are professionals who play a valuable role in business as they work to verify a company’s financial health by checking the accuracy of its financial statements. This information is then used by investors, banks, and by the companies themselves to make relevant business decisions.

Do I need a CPA license to be an auditor?

The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer is that it depends on your career aspirations. Although it’s possible to work for a public accounting firm without having your CPA license, most auditors choose to take the exam in order to expand their opportunities and their expertise, as well as to increase earning potential. The exam, which is called the Uniform CPA Examination, is developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and consists of four sections, each focusing on one specific aspect of accounting such as auditing or financial regulation.

Pro Tip: Although taking the CPA exam requires time and dedication, it definitely comes with rewards. Once you pass the test, your earning potential increases by 10 percent and continues to go up from there. It’s also a high valued credential in the broader business world.

What are the benefits of working in auditing?

With plenty of opportunities to travel and learn about new industries, auditing has a lot of benefits. “One of the things that I like best about public accounting is that you get to travel to where your clients are,” explains Ben, an auditor from Chicago who frequently travels around the country to conduct audits. In addition to making the most of travel opportunities, many auditors enjoy the novelty of growing their professional connections within their firms and at the companies they audit and gaining exposure to different industries. Another great perk is the flexibility. Since some of the work involved in auditing can be done autonomously, many auditors are able to work remotely if needed.

You might say that auditors are in the people business. That is, they work with a variety of people at all levels of a company to better understand its financial statements. They also team up with colleagues to achieve a common goal. Many auditors say this is the reason they enjoy their work so much. Rather than sitting behind a desk all day, they are learning the language of business in face-to-face meetings. This interaction helps them build the foundation of a successful career within a public accounting firm or in any business.

What is a typical auditor salary?

Auditing is not only a stable field but also a lucrative one. Entry-level auditors typically earn around $52,000, while auditors with one to two years of experience earn upwards of $65,000. Even more impressive, an analysis by the CAQ showed that many audit partners in large public accounting firms can make close to a million dollars a year.

With high projected growth and stability, auditing is an ideal career path for recent grads who are interested in a rewarding profession with many opportunities.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Be a Team Player and find answers to common interview questions such as What’s Your Dream Job?

Career Opportunities for Business Majors

Few college majors are as in demand as a business major. This is because the skills you develop through this major are applicable pretty much everywhere, from a small tech startup to a Fortune 500 giant. While studying to become a business major, you’ll learn all sorts of things including how to manage operations, assess risks and transform work environments. It’s a career that can be as laid back, as fast-paced and as financially rewarding as you’d like it to be, depending on what type of environment you choose to work in. Career opportunities for business majors include business management, operations, e-commerce, finance and hospitality.

Here are some of the many fields where you can use your business degree:

Business management

Business management is a broad field that involves various managerial responsibilities and can apply to any number of industries including technology, retail and the nonprofit sector. Business management roles usually involve the day-to-day management of a company and the implementation of processes designed to improve how a company operates. They can also include human resources management, where you manage employer-employee relations and take a hands-on approach to recruiting and training. This is a great career for anyone who is interested in all the elements involved in running a business and helping it succeed.

Operations

Similar to business management, a role in operations involves handling the logistics involved with running a business. This can be anything from handling financial assets to developing and streamlining processes designed to keep the business functioning optimally. This career path is best suited to business majors who are interested in coordinating various departments and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

E-commerce

Another popular career for business majors, especially in today’s tech-heavy globalized society, is e-commerce. This career path puts your creative and analytical skills to use by tasking you with creating and implementing strategies designed to increase a company’s revenue and customer base. It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in developing strategies designed to drive sales.

Finance

Your business skills are just as useful in the world of finance where you can be a financial analyst, account executive or accountant. Working in finance will give you hands-on experience of working with clients and coming up with financial solutions designed to meet their needs. This is a great career path for those interested in investing and asset management.

Hospitality

Business majors can also be found in the hospitality industry where they are often responsible for the day-to-day management of both boutique hotels and major hotel chains. As hotel managers, they are responsible for everything from hiring hotel staff to ensuring customer satisfaction. Similar to business management and operations, this career path is best suited to those who are interested in coordinating different departments and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

One of the best things about a business major is that it can take you anywhere, allowing you to contribute to the productivity and efficiency of all sorts of businesses. The best way to find out which type of business is right for you is to take on an internship in a field that interests you. This will give you the hands-on experience you need to find the perfect job.

Next, learn more about this college major such as the Types of Internships for Business Majors and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Ways to Impress Your New Boss.

Types of Entry-Level Jobs for Business Majors

Being a business major opens up doors to all sorts of professional opportunities. In fact, business majors are among the most employable groups of recent grads. But with so many opportunities, picking a career path might seem a bit overwhelming. One way to narrow your focus is by taking on a paid or unpaid internship during your time in college. This will help you build some great skills while also helping you identify the type of career that’s right for you. In the process, it will give you a better idea of what type of entry-level job to apply for.

Here are some of the most common entry-level jobs for business majors:

Financial analyst

If you’re a business major with an interest in finance, a job as a financial analyst could be a great fit for you. This position is one of the most popular entry-level roles in the financial services industry and one that exists at any number of organizations including banks, security firms and even insurance companies. By becoming a financial analyst, you’ll get a chance to look into the performance of stocks, bonds and other relevant investments.

Sales representative

If you’re a pro at understanding the needs of a customer and turning that into a sale, a career as a sales representative might be right up your alley. Depending on the type of company you work for, you’ll be responsible for selling products to individuals, other companies or government organizations. From seeking out potential customers to closing sales and fostering long-term relationships, you’ll be making the most of your people skills while helping the company to increase its revenue.

Human resources assistant

As a human resource assistant, you’ll assist with hiring and onboarding employees as well as troubleshooting issues between managers and employees. In this role, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that employers and employees have a good working relationship and that the company is operating smoothly. You’ll also help out with preparing and conducting training programs.

Marketing coordinator

As a marketing coordinator, you’ll be making a product or company more marketable by highlighting its value to potential customers and to the media. In this role, you’ll be preparing marketing materials, assisting with marketing campaigns and helping to coordinate publicity events. This is a great opportunity to learn all about how marketing works and to develop strategies to market a company or product effectively.

Assistant buyer

As an assistant buyer, you’ll be evaluating suppliers, purchasing supplies, obtaining price proposals and ensuring that products arrive on time. You’ll also be expected to balance product quality with company budgets and to have a clear sense of how purchasing decisions fit into the company’s overall operations.

Brand marketing assistant

As a brand marketing assistant, you’ll learn to be savvy about current market conditions by reviewing reports and studying market trends. You’ll also prepare presentations and reports detailing the performance of a brand as well as its design and marketing strategy.

Operations research analyst

As an operations research analyst, you’ll be involved in various parts of the organization and will be using statistics, mathematical modeling and other analytical techniques to solve emerging problems and help senior management gather the information they need to make operational decisions.

As a business major, your career options are both extensive and exciting. In order to ensure that you pick a position that’s right for you, it’s important to figure out where your interests lie and to pursue a role that you’re passionate about. Whether that ends up a financial analyst or a marketing coordinator, the skills you’ve developed as a business major will definitely help you shine.

Next, learn more about this college major such as the Types of Internships for a Business Major and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look For in a Company.

Types of Internships for Arts Majors

As an arts major, you may be wondering how your passion for art factors into the real world. The good news is that because of the many and varied skills you develop during your major, there are a lot of career opportunities available to you after graduation. Not sure what you want to do? An internship is the best way to explore all of your options and gain some professional experience.

Here are just a few of the best internships for arts majors:

Art gallery intern

As an art gallery intern, your responsibilities vary from clerical, communications-related tasks to those that are more organizational. This internship will familiarize you with the setting and running of an art gallery — from maintaining the gallery space to communicating with national and local artists. You may assist with gallery exhibitions in every capacity from installing artwork to adjusting the lightwork and eventually dismantling, repackaging and shipping the exhibits to another gallery. You will also get to build your professional exposure to the art world with duties such as researching and compiling information about artists, looking into art sale techniques and engaging guests during shows.

Art therapy intern

Whether you have previous clinical experience or not, as an art therapy intern you’ll be shadowing certified art therapists in group sessions. You may assist in the logistics of the session and gain experience as a part of a team of professionals. By working as an art therapy intern, you’ll also be exposed to the use of creative and expressive arts in settings such as a hospital, community and youth care or rehabilitation facility. This is a great opportunity to use your skills to help others and to learn the real impact of art in a clinical setting.

Graphic design intern

A graphic design internship is great exposure to the field of graphic, and a step up the ladder towards a full-time job after graduation. You could get accepted for a graphic design internship at an ad agency, a corporate firm or an art studio. During your internship, you will be assisting a graphic designer in designing prototypes, logos, social media graphics, flyers or whatever the organization requires.

Photography intern

Whether you’re capturing a candid of the bride in an extravagant wedding or researching stock photos to accompany a magazine article, a photography internship involves a great deal of hands-on experience, collaboration and insight. You could be employed at an in-house studio, a magazine or a newspaper. There’s a lot you can learn on the job, from the extent of communication required with related departments such as costume & make-up to what it takes to organize and categorize photo submissions or assist in print production.

Marketing intern

Your creative insight and discipline as an artist will come in handy in a marketing internship. Whether you are interning for a marketing organization or a marketing division of a huge corporate company, a marketing internship gives you more than a general idea about the marketing industry. From writing copy to working on concept creation or even to a stint in a public relations department, you’ll be able to experience several facets of the marketing industry and apply your creative skill to each one.

From knowing the story behind every nook in an art gallery to researching a rare sculpture, or creating a great design, an internship is a wonderful and safe space for art majors to explore, learn and re-invent themselves.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is an Arts Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look for in an Internship.

Types of Internships for Design Majors

One of the best things about being a design major is the ability to develop a broad range of technical and creative skills. And although design is considered primarily a creative field, these skills can have practical applications in multiple professions. The best way to find out which profession is right for you is by doing an internship. This will offer you some insights into different career paths while also giving you the type of hands-on experience that will make you a competitive candidate after graduation.

Here are some of the most common internships for design majors:

Graphic design intern

A graphic design internship will give you the chance to learn about graphic design, a field dedicated to communicating ideas visually. As a graphic design intern, you’ll assist with technical tasks such as creating hard and soft copy files, writing reports and mailing, printing and stuffing materials. You’ll also shadow a graphic designer, attend meetings, compile databases and assist the design team with creative work related to existing projects. During your internship, you’ll learn how to turn creative processes into practical ones and you’ll also develop the ability to think on your feet and get organized in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

UX design intern

The UX in UX design stands for user experience, and this is what a UX design internship focuses on. During your internship, you’ll learn what goes into ensuring that the user experience of a particular website is as smooth, easy, comfortable and all-around amazing as possible. As an intern, you’ll learn how to create responsive app or digital product designs and you’ll understand exactly how much knowledge and effort goes into every step of the UX design process.

Interior design intern

An interior design internship will acquaint you with the various skills and technicalities involved in an interior design career. From note-taking during client meetings, to organizing and coordinating materials, visiting vendors and answering emails, you’ll be involved in every aspect of the role. You’ll also assist with the actual design process, learning to tailor designs according to client interests, budgets and overall feasibility. It’s an experience that will help you decide if you have the inclination and skills required to make it as a full-time interior designer.

Fashion design intern

A fashion design internship offers you a behind-the-scenes look into the world of fashion. From cutting fabric to planning model fittings and managing the logistics of fashion events, this internship will give you an in-depth look at everything involved in designing and manufacturing clothes. Whether you’re working for a store brand or a large fashion house, this experience will help you build the skills you need to work in fashion.

Design internships can be both informative and fulfilling, making the most of your creativity, drive and ambition. By taking on one or more of these internships during your time in college, you’ll be able to learn the ins and outs of a design-related profession and to find a career path that’s just right for you.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Design Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Become a Confident Public Speaker.

Types of Entry-Level Jobs for Design Majors

Design majors are known for their creativity and diverse skills, qualities that make them employable in many professional industries. If you’re a design major and you’ve already taken on a design internship, then you have some idea of where you degree can take you and how you can turn your major into a rewarding career. From designing websites and graphics to assisting in the planning of Fashion Week, you have a range of opportunities ahead of you.

Here are some of the most common entry-level jobs for design majors:

Graphic designer

As a graphic designer, you could be employed by a nonprofit organization, a huge advertising firm or a media company. As part of your role, you’ll be involved in the process of preparing, coordinating and creating materials for everything from a logo to a branding campaign. This involves coming up with an initial idea, presenting it to the client and then delivering the finished product. In addition to being able to design and present your ideas, you’ll also need to regularly update your knowledge by keeping up to date on design and media trends and taking additional classes and workshops. This is a great position for someone who wants to maximize their creative skills while helping companies bring their brands to life.

UX designer

A UX designer is responsible for helping customers navigate an app or product easily by ensuring the navigation process is as hassle-free and exciting as possible. From designing the look and feel of a company’s website to developing a design that thoroughly reflects a product’s goals, a UX designer is in charge of all of the elements that go into creating a great user experience. In this position, you’ll use your expertise to optimize a potential customer’s experience by dialing up its functionality, ease of use and aesthetics to the highest possible degree. This is a perfect role for someone interested in the more technical and digital side of design.

Fashion designer

As a fashion designer, your creativity and sense of style will be put to use as you work with a clothing brand to design clothes for their customers. Your day-to-day tasks will consist of sketching designs, coordinating with manufacturers and working through the technical aspects of clothing design. You’ll also need to stay on top of current fashion trends both in the U.S. and abroad to ensure that your designs are both marketable and on-brand. This is a wonderful role for someone who is interested in fashion and knowledgeable about how to turn great designs into a stunning collection.

Personal stylist

If you’re a shopaholic with a design major under your (wonderfully chic) belt, an entry-level job as a personal stylist could be a dream come true. As a stylist, you’ll assist clients in finding exactly what they’re looking for and what fits with their personal style. This position is usually found in-house at a clothing boutique or department store and will connect with you clients from every walk of life, including business professionals for Fortune 500 companies and celebrities. This is a great position for someone interested in working directly with clients and who enjoys helping people look their best.

Teacher

Majoring in design can also prepare you for an entry-level teaching position such as a high school design or art teacher. You can even run design courses and workshops at a community college or at a private institution. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in sharing their knowledge with others and passionate about helping students learn all about the various elements of design.

A design major offers you a great chance to develop a broad range of skills that will make you marketable in design-related fields and beyond. In order to determine what position is best for you, take some time to assess your interests and then consider taking on an internship to find a career path that’s just right for you.

Next, learn more about this college major such as Types of Internships for Design Majors and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Things to Do in Your First Week at a New Job.

Why Investment Banking is a Great Field for Recent Graduates

Investment banking is a popular field for recent graduates, particularly among business and finance majors. Although it’s definitely a competitive field, a lot of its appeal comes from the fact that it’s also a field with a lot of opportunities and a high earning potential. If you’ve already gotten a general idea of what investment banking is and how you can become an investment banker, then you’re probably interested in what you can get out of it and how this can shape your career path in the long term.

Here are some of the reasons why investment banking is a great field for recent graduates.

You’ll learn a lot very quickly

Due to its fast-paced nature, investment banking offers a lot of opportunities for learning and skill building, particularly in the areas of business and finance. From the moment you start your first entry-level job (or internship) you’ll be exposed to a lot of information about financial trends and markets, as well as information about what makes businesses sustainable. Beyond that, you’ll also be able to learn soft skills like communication, self-confidence and the ability to handle critical feedback. These are skills that can take years to develop in other professional industries and learning them quickly means that you’re likely to advance much faster in your career as a result of having these experiences.

Your earning potential will be among the highest of any recent graduate

If you’ve done your research on investment banking, then you know that it’s a field with a very high earning potential. In fact, as an entry-level financial analyst, you’ll start off earning anywhere from $100,000-$125,000 (including bonuses) in your first year. After two years in a financial analyst role, your earning potential will go up to $150,000 to $250,000 and will increase significantly with each year of additional experience. By the time you become a vice president or managing director, you’ll be earning upwards of $650,000.

You’ll develop transferrable skills that you can use in any profession

Although many investment bankers choose to stay in the industry and progress through the career track from financial analyst to managing director, other bankers decide to move into related areas of finance like private hedge funds or they choose to leave finance entirely to run or advise startups. Regardless of what you decide to do later on in your career, the skills and business savvy you develop as an investment banker will help you transition into almost any other professional industry. This is great news for entrepreneurs who are interested in running their own businesses but want to build up their knowledge and skill set first.

You’ll develop a strong professional network

Having a strong professional network is incredibly important as you move through your career, and being able to build that network early on will serve you well for years to come. As an added bonus, because investment bankers often move into other fields as they advance in their careers, you’re likely to come across former colleagues no matter where you end up.

Starting an investment banking career as a recent graduate is a great way to develop general business knowledge and skills that can transfer to any other professional industry. So whether you’re a business major or a history major, there’s likely to be an entry-level opportunity that’s right for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Get a Mentor at Work and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Strengths?