Finance Career Path

Becca Bilek-Chee ('18), Dimensional

In 2022, 12% of UCLA Anderson students were hired into financial services industries including investment banking, investment management, and private equity and venture capital with employers ranging from small boutique firms to bulge bracket banks located in cities across the country including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. With the assistance of the Parker Career Management Center, students entering these industries earned a median salary of $175,000, with almost 70% receiving a median signing bonus of $50,000.

Where You Want to Be

 
The following are some of the organizations hiring UCLA Anderson MBA students in finance roles (both full-time employment and summer internships):
MBA FInance recruiting companies. Including Google, Amgen, Microsoft, Mattel and more
The specific finance functions UCLA Anderson MBA students enter include:
  • Investment Banking
  • Investment Management
  • Corporate Finance/FP&A/Treasury
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Venture Capital and Private Equity
  • Commercial Banking and Lending
  • Private Health Management
MBA Employment Report download
See the recruiting, hiring and full-time salary trends for the Class of 2022 and internship data for the Class of 2023.

Academics

 
Students interested in finance build a strong academic foundation in core finance concepts, including financial statement analysis, discounting and present values, valuation of bonds and stocks, capital budgeting and more. Students select electives based on their professional interests in the following areas: investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, corporate finance and private equity/venture capital.

Specializations: Corporate Finance, Investment Management, Accounting

 
Sample Electives
  • Corporate Financial Reporting
  • International Financial Markets
  • Financial Reporting and Equity Valuation
  • Business and Economy in Emerging Markets
  • Corporate Valuation
  • Managerial Model Building
  • Fixed Income Markets
  • Financial Institutions
  • Option Markets
  • International Political Economy
  • Venture Capital and Private Equity
  • Takeovers, Restructuring, Governance
  • Behavioral Finance
  • Investment Management
  • Global Economy
  • Money and Capital Markets

Applied Management Research (AMR)
Sample Projects

  • Conducted an analysis of a boutique investment banking firm’s capabilities and limitations to build a strategic plan of action to drive business and refine its transaction process
  • Analyzed current market for M&A activity and prepared possible scenarios on strategic moves for a company in the memory and semi-conductor technology sector
  • Developed a business plan for an improved platform for trading securities derivatives for a leading financial services and investment firm

"Anderson is a terrific school to pursue a career in Finance. In addition to the school's resources, the Investment Finance Association (IFA) provides students with the platform to network with seasoned professionals, build a solid foundation of fundamental knowledge and utilize the deep connections to pivot into desired roles. After securing a full-time offer following my summer internship, I contributed to the Anderson community by serving as the President of the IFA, mentoring the first-year students, shaping the future club leaders, and continuing the Anderson tradition of giving back. It was truly a rewarding experience."

Akshay Prakash ('23)

Investment Banking Associate at Moelis & Company

Connect With a Student Ambassador
 
Students interacting
Our Admissions Ambassador Corps (AAC) is a group of diverse student leaders who can guide you through life at UCLA Anderson and answer your specific questions about their experiences. Ambassadors lead live webinars on a regular basis and are on call to help you with your process.

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