Tech to Finance?

Hello,

I am a current freshman in one of the stronger dual-degree programs (Penn M&T/Berkeley

M.E.T.), and I am interning at Amazon this upcoming summer.

I wanted to go towards a career in finance as I feel it gives a little more security compared to the average SWE job. I don't mind the initial long hours, and I like being in an environment where I don't just sit and code all day. I was wondering how I should go about recruiting for my sophomore year to best leverage the Amazon internship, along with strong consulting club experience, an OK GPA (3.6+), and experience running an angel backed (~$15k) startup mostly on the business side. Do these two fields typically cross over nicely? Or should I just take what I got and become a SWE in the future?

3 Comments
 

too good of an opportunity to pass up imo. up to u but grass greener on the other side. dont js take my advice tho im unqualified as fuck lol

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning from tech to finance is absolutely possible, especially with your background. Here's how you can position yourself effectively:

  1. Leverage Your Amazon Internship: Highlight the business and analytical aspects of your role at Amazon. Even though it's a tech company, Amazon's scale and complexity are highly respected in finance. Emphasize any cross-functional work, problem-solving, or leadership experiences.

  2. Consulting Club Experience: Your consulting club involvement is a strong asset. Use it to demonstrate your ability to think strategically, solve problems, and work in teams—skills that are highly transferable to finance roles.

  3. Startup Experience: Running an angel-backed startup is a standout point. It shows entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and leadership. Be prepared to articulate how this experience has given you insights into financial decision-making, fundraising, or market analysis.

  4. Sophomore Year Recruiting:

    • Networking: Start reaching out to alumni or professionals in finance who have a similar background. Informational interviews can help you understand the landscape and get your name out there.
    • Internships: Target boutique investment banks, private equity firms, or venture capital firms for sophomore internships. These roles often value entrepreneurial and analytical experience, which you already have.
    • Resume Tailoring: Highlight the business and strategic aspects of your experiences. Downplay the purely technical coding work unless it directly ties to financial modeling or analytics.
  5. Crossover Between Tech and Finance: These fields do cross over nicely, especially in areas like fintech, venture capital, or tech-focused investment banking. Your technical background can be a unique advantage in these niches.

  6. Backup Plan: If finance recruiting doesn’t pan out immediately, consider roles in tech that are closer to business functions, such as product management or strategy. These can serve as a bridge to finance later.

Your combination of a strong dual-degree program, Amazon internship, consulting club experience, and startup leadership positions you well for finance. Focus on networking, tailoring your story, and targeting roles that value your unique background.

Sources: In Search of Wisdom, Offer rescinded what can I do now?, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, 5 Steps To Becoming A Rockstar Freshman (Undergrad Advice)

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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