The Finance Career Map: Everything You need to know about pursuing a career in Finance
- Kanishkar Raja
- Jun 24
- 6 min read
From Wall Street to startup world—how to find the finance job that fits you best.
When you hear the term finance, what do you think? I would assume the cliche “finance bro” on Wall Street, or maybe you’d think back to the movie Wolf of Wall Street. Though a decent chunk of working in finance is like that, there’s a lot more depth to it, and a lot more careers and options to explore.
Why Finance?
Finance is the intersection of business, economics, and strategy. Whether you're structuring multi-billion-dollar deals, fundraising for an IPO, or investing in a startup, finance gives you a front-row seat to how the world works.
It is a field that rewards strategy, critical thinking, and, most famously, ambition. Finance offers something for every personality type and career goal. Some are drawn to the high earning potential and fast-paced dealmaking, while others appreciate the stability, problem-solving, and long-term impact they can have through managing capital wisely. Regardless of the path, finance develops a skill set that's powerful, adaptable, and highly in demand across numerous industries, making it an ideal career.
Careers:
Investment Banking
We often hear about investment banking. It's the most popular career in finance right now.
It's primarily associated with the high pay and the grueling hours staring at spreadsheets, but there's a lot more to it than just that. As an investment banker, you work with corporations, governments, or private equity firms to raise capital, advise on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and structure complex financial deals. Investment banking is generally considered the initial stepping stone for pursuing a career in most high-finance fields, such as private equity and hedge funds.
Pros:
Entry-level salaries and bonuses are some of the highest in any industry
Great exit opportunities to work in private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, or pursue an MBA
You’ll work directly on IPOs, billion-dollar M&A transactions, and strategic corporate decisions
Cons:
Extremely long and unpredictable working hours
Enormously stressful environments— tight deadlines, difficult clients, etc.
Social life and personal time often take a back seat, especially at the junior level.
Working Hours: 70-100 hours per week
Y1 Salary Range($): 155,000 - 230,000 - Including Bonuses
Salary Growth Potential:
Asset and Wealth Management
It is not as flashy or popular as investment banking, but it is very crucial in the financial industry. Working in asset management, you manage trillions of dollars of wealth for individuals, institutions, pension funds, and more. As an asset management professional, you're responsible for making investment decisions, managing risk, and helping clients grow their capital over time. While it may not be as prestigious as investment banking, it offers substantial compensation, a better work-life balance, and more manageable hours.
Pros:
Better work-life balance as a result of more manageable hours
Long-term career stability: Demand for skilled portfolio and wealth managers is always going to be present
You work with a diverse range of clients, from individuals to entire governments
Cons:
The starting salary is not as high when compared to investment banking
Lots of pressure from clients to perform well; underperformance damages both the firm's and your reputation
It offers fewer elite exit opportunities into fields such as hedge funds or private equity.
Working Hours: 40-60 hours per week
Y1 Salary Range($): 80,000-150,000 - not including bonuses
Salary Growth Potential:
Corporate Finance
Instead of focusing on other companies on Wall Street, a career in corporate finance is typically situated within a single company. Professionals in this field work within companies to manage a range of tasks, including budgeting and forecasting, capital planning, and financial strategy. You'll find roles such as FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis), treasury, and strategy teams, all of which play a crucial part in how the business operates on a day-to-day basis. The goal of corporate finance is to help companies grow through effective strategy and planning. The hours are more manageable, meaning better work-life balance, and you can eventually develop into positions like the VP of finance or CFO within the company.
Pros:
There is a pretty good work-life balance, with a 9-5 schedule
Companies always need finance people, and this field offers job security and long-term growth potential.
It's a more collaborative environment. You work closely with other departments, such as marketing and operations, not just with numbers.
Cons:
It's not easy to transition into a finance career that isn't related to corporate finance.
Salaries are not as high as those in high finance.
You won't be doing M&A or stock picking—this is more about internal strategy than external finance.
Working Hours: 40-60 hours per week
Y1 Salary Range($): 65,000-90,000 - not including bonuses
Salary Growth Potential:
Private Equity
One of the most sought-after careers in finance, and notoriously the hardest to break into. Private Equity professionals work at firms that buy, improve, and sell private companies for a profit. It's a fast-paced, high-responsibility role that combines deep financial analysis with hands-on business strategy. Generally, you enter private equity after spending some time in investment banking to become accustomed to deal-making and structuring. The hours are just as demanding, but the pay is even higher. Unlike investment banking, you work on the investor side, rather than finance, by investing in a company and growing it.
Pros:
Compensation is exceptionally high, comprising base salaries, bonuses, and carried interest.
Influence over real business: You're not just analyzing Excel sheets. You're helping companies grow, restructure, or expand their operations.
You'll gain exposure to finance, strategy, operations, and sometimes even board-level decisions.
Cons:
It's tough to break into. Most roles require prior experience in investment banking or top-tier consulting.
There is a lot to learn very quickly, which can be difficult for many people.
Despite the prestige, the day-to-day involves a lot of due diligence, Excel modeling, and meetings, not just "big moves."
Working Hours: 60-80 hours per week
Y1 Salary Range($): 270,000-400,000 - including bonuses
Salary Growth Potential:
Hedge Funds
Hedge funds are the fast-paced, high-risk, high-reward corner of the finance industry. These firms manage the financial affairs of wealthy individuals, institutions, and endowments. Working at a hedge fund means living in a performance-driven world where deep research, fast thinking, and a strong tolerance for pressure are essential. Hedge funds invest in companies and securities, utilizing high-tech and quantitative trading strategies to generate returns regardless of market direction. Compared to private equity, which involves purchasing a company, improving it, and then selling it for a profit, they take a non-controlling stake in a growing company and sell the stake for a profit. Hedge funds offer one of the most intellectually demanding and lucrative paths in finance.
Pros:
They have smaller teams, which means less corporate red tape. Many hedge funds operate with leaner structures and a concentration of top talent.
There is high earning potential. Compensation is heavily performance-based. If your fund does well, so do you.
Analysts and Portfolio Managers generally have more say in investment decisions, providing you with more autonomy.
Cons:
Underperforming funds or unfavorable market years can lead to layoffs, even for employees with solid performance records.
While not always as brutal as banking, top-tier hedge funds can still demand long, unpredictable hours.
Your job and bonus often depend directly on how your picks perform; every quarter counts.
Working Hours: 50-70 hours per week
Y1 Salary Range($): 100,000-600,000 - including bonuses
Salary Growth Potential:
Final Thoughts
Finance is one of the most demanding industries, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. There is a career for everyone, from investment banking to corporate finance. Each path comes with its trade-offs and benefits; it's about picking the one that speaks the most to you and the one you will enjoy the most if you want to be part of growing a business, such as a private equity firm. You want to structure deals, and investment banking is involved in IPOs. The key is knowing what you value most.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, financial guidance, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.