First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Finance graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 15% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Finance graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 91%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONExecutive Vice PresidentUnited Business Student Senate Apr 2019 - May 2020 Investment Analyst CPP Student Managed Investment Fund Aug 2019 - Dec 2020 Financial Analyst I Raytheon Jun 2020 - May 2021 Senior Financial Analyst, FP&A & Program Controls Raytheon Jun 2021 - Present ABOUTI am currently a graduating senior at Cal Poly Pomona majoring in Finance with a minor in Accounting. Throughout my time as a student at CPP, I have gained essential skills related to the finance industry via my courses as well as my student leadership positions. My courses have given me valuable knowledge in financial modeling, forecasting, valuation, investments, corporate FP&A, and more. I have had the opportunity to sit on the Finance and Instructionally Related Activities committees, within student government, reviewing university budgets and allocating funds in a way to impact the most amount of students as possible. This past semester I was a part of the Student Managed Investment Fund in which we constructed an investment strategy and portfolio for two real-money funds of $200k and $75k and am actively managing the portfolio for the remainder of my time as an undergraduate. I am currently seeking entry-level roles as a financial or investment analyst once I finish my undergraduate studies in May 2020! |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job paths of graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a degree in Finance, it’s pretty clear there’s a mix of roles out there. A common thread among these professionals is that many have secured positions as financial analysts, which are definitely relevant to their education. These roles rely heavily on the finance skills and knowledge they gained during their studies. Other relevant positions include accounting roles, like those at UT Health San Antonio, where core financial principles are used daily. However, not every graduate has landed in a finance-related job. For example, some have taken roles in marketing, project management, or even human resources, which don’t heavily lean on finance training.
Overall, while many graduates have effectively utilized their finance degrees in their jobs, a significant number have veered into fields that don’t directly relate to finance. Positions like marketing manager or recreational leader might touch on some business principles but are far from the hardcore finance skills taught in school. So, while it's great that some grads are applying their learning in relevant roles, there’s also a noticeable trend of taking on jobs that don't fully utilize all that finance know-how. It really highlights how diverse a degree in finance can be, leading to a variety of career paths, whether directly in finance or in other business areas.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Finance graduates (this is across all Finance graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State Polytechnic University-Pomona):
When you look at the career trajectories of graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a degree in Finance, it's clear that many of them have found their way into relevant positions fairly quickly after graduation. For instance, graduates from 2018 and onwards are often securing roles like Financial Analysts or Project Managers in reputable companies. Many started in roles that allow them to gain experience in finance-related fields, signaling that they’re on a path aligned with their studies. In the early years, we see a mix of internships and entry-level positions, which is pretty typical for recent grads trying to carve out their niche.
As time goes on, the trend seems to be that many individuals are advancing to more senior roles. For example, those who began as financial analysts are now moving up to senior positions or project management roles. However, not everyone sticks strictly to finance. Some grads have ventured into diverse fields like marketing, staffing, or even education. There’s a tangible sense that while numerous graduates are utilizing their finance backgrounds in meaningful ways, others have branched out into different tracks. Overall, it appears that a good number of Cal Poly Pomona Finance graduates are creating solid career paths, even if some have taken a more winding route along the way.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona can be a bit challenging, but it’s definitely manageable if you stay organized and motivated. The coursework will include subjects like financial analysis, investment management, and corporate finance, which can get pretty technical and require a good grasp of math and analytical skills. That said, if you're really into numbers and enjoy problem-solving, you might find it more interesting than tough. Overall, it’s about the same difficulty level as other business majors—there will be some late nights and stressful moments, but if you keep on top of your studies and seek help when needed, you’ll likely find it a rewarding experience!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at the career paths of these Finance grads from Cal Poly Pomona, it's a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some, like the ones working at Northrop Grumman or Raytheon in financial analyst roles, probably have a pretty solid paycheck, especially as they climb the ladder into senior positions. Others, especially those in city jobs or with roles at places like Kohl's, might not be pulling in as much, particularly starting out or working in roles that don’t scream high salary. Overall, while many are on promising tracks with room for growth, not every job listed seems to rack up the big bucks right away—it really depends on the specific role and industry.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Finance (this is across all Finance graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State Polytechnic University-Pomona). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Finance (ordered by the average relevance score of their Finance graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: