First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Virginia Tech 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Finance graduates from Virginia Tech 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 0% 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 Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAnalystGoldman Sachs Aug 2019 - Jan 2022 Associate Goldman Sachs Jan 2022 - Jan 2023 Senior Associate Goldman Sachs Jan 2023 - Jul 2023 Senior Analyst Capital One Nov 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the data collected, it looks like graduates with a Finance degree from Virginia Tech have taken on a variety of roles, but there's a noticeable trend showing that many didn’t directly stick to finance-heavy positions. Many of the roles like Sales Advisor or IT Consultant focus more on customer interaction, technology, or operations rather than core finance skills. Although some positions do utilize finance knowledge, a significant number of jobs are either tangential to finance, like Account Representative roles or even completely unrelated, such as those in journalism or hospitality.
On the flip side, there are definitely graduates who have landed solid finance-related roles, particularly those who graduated around 2013 to 2019. Jobs like Investment Analyst, Financial Analyst, and various positions at Vanguard or Goldman Sachs show a strong connection to finance principles and applications. These roles make great use of the financial knowledge acquired during their studies. It's clear that while some have ventured off the main financial path into diverse areas, others have found their niche in more traditional finance roles, validating the education they received at Virginia Tech. So, while finance grads have diverse career paths, many still find their way back to core finance-related jobs where their skills shine the brightest.
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 Virginia Tech):
Looking at the career trajectories of Virginia Tech finance graduates, it appears that many of them are navigating their way quite successfully in the finance and business sectors. For those who graduated around 2010 to 2015, the first jobs often jumpstart their careers with solid entry-level positions, particularly in well-known firms like Vanguard or Goldman Sachs. These roles typically revolve around financial analysis, investment consulting, or client relations, providing a valuable foundation for their expertise in finance. Over the next five to ten years, many of these individuals have climbed the ladder and transitioned into higher roles, such as Senior Analysts, Managers, or even Vice Presidents at reputable financial firms, indicating a strong upward mobility in related fields. The graduates seem to be harnessing their finance education effectively, leading to promising careers relevant to their degree.
However, there are also some graduates whose paths have taken them into seemingly unrelated fields, such as journalism or customer support roles. While these jobs may not strictly align with finance, they still showcase the versatility and adaptability of these individuals. Graduates who initially took roles in fields like media or customer service often pivoted later into positions that align more closely with finance, albeit not without some varied experience in between. Overall, while the majority of Virginia Tech finance graduates seem to find their way into good finance-related careers, a few paths might not reflect the traditional expectations of a finance degree. Yet, the majority trend toward successful and relevant careers, especially for those who graduate within the past decade or so.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance can be a bit challenging, but it's definitely manageable if you're willing to put in the effort. At Virginia Tech specifically, you'll have to tackle a mix of math-heavy courses, like statistics and accounting, alongside more strategic classes about investments and financial markets. It’s not as chill as some majors where you can coast through, but if you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, it’s totally doable. Just be prepared for some late-night study sessions, especially during exams! Overall, it’s about average in terms of difficulty, so don’t stress too much—just stay focused and you’ll be fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
So, looking at these finance grads from Virginia Tech, it seems like a pretty mixed bag in terms of income potential. The earlier graduates, like the one from 2010, have had a decent career path moving into IT consulting and project management, which generally pays well, while those who graduated in 2013 and 2014 are climbing the ladder at major companies like Vanguard and Amazon, likely earning pretty solid salaries now as Vice Presidents and Finance Managers. Then there are some newer grads, like the ones from 2021, still finding their footing in entry-level roles, which probably means they’re starting off lower on the pay scale. The 2023 grad is just getting started, but Guggenheim Securities usually offers competitive salaries. Overall, if you play your cards right and work up the ranks, it looks like a finance degree from Virginia Tech can lead to some good money down the line!
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 Virginia Tech). 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: