Business, Finance, Consulting, & Entrepreneurship
The Business, Finance, Consulting, & Entrepreneurship Career Community is a diverse group of professions that attracts problem-solvers, analytical and creative thinkers, and relationship-builders. Many Smith graduates go on to become entrepreneurs, create or work in startups, join consulting or finance firms, build new networks or lead enterprises across many industries and community impact areas.
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American Business Women's Association brings together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
Forte Foundation Launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development, and a community of successful women.
Inc. Successfully start, grow, innovate, and lead your business today: Ideas, resources, advice, support, tools, strategies, real stories, and real business examples.
The Economist World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance
American Society for Talent Development - Empowering professionals to develop talent in the workplace. Members include talent development managers, trainers, instructional designers, performance consultants, frontline managers, workplace learning professionals and more. Search ASTD's job bank.
HR World - An award-winning site featuring resources, information, and opportunities.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - An international association of human resource management professionals. Site includes jobs, chats, resources, and more.
The financial services industry is multifaceted, offering a variety of positions that cater to different skills and interests, along with sub-industries that encompass niche opportunities. Researching the possibilities in financial services will help you to land the job that is most compatible with your interests and skills. Some of the roles in financial careers include: Commercial Banking, Economics, Hedge Funds, Insurance, Investment Banking, Investment Management, Mutual Funds, Private Equity, Sales and Trading, Venture Capital, and Wealth Management (visit vault.com for complete descriptions)
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Financial Management Association A section specifically for undergrads with links to Finance Associations, Conferences, and Publications.
Institute of Financial Consultants
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
Career Journal from The Wall Street Journal - This excellent site includes a searchable database of job listings, advice from career columnists, comprehensive salary information by industry, and articles on electronic job hunting.
Commercial Banking
Commercial banks make loans to the full spectrum of borrowers, from private individuals to major corporations, as well as to municipal, regional, and national agencies. This segment of the industry offers a wide variety of career opportunities, including positions in management, sales, customer service, and technical support.
Banking Associations of the World - Bankersalmanac.com
Investment Banking
Investment Banking is the business of raising capital for individuals, corporations, and governments by underwriting or acting as the client’s agent in the issuance of securities. Investment bankers also advise clients on financing and merger alternatives. When working with clients, an investment banker offers his or her expert advice on pricing securities, files registration documents with government agencies, and communicates periodically with investors.
New York Bankers Association (NYBA)
Citi: Women in Sales & Trading
Investopedia, A Forbes Media Co. - dictionary, tutorials, exam prep, articles, and stock info
JPMorgan: Day in the Life of a Trader
Nasdaq The Nasdaq Stock Market, the world's first electronic stock market, is the fastest-growing stock market in the U.S. and the market of choice for business industry leaders worldwide. Surf this site for great interview preparation.
Private Equity Research Analyst
Private equity (PE) research analysts and associates conduct research on potential investment targets (i.e., companies to purchase outright or invest in) for PE funds. These investment targets are provided by their employer, and analysts and associates are also expected to generate their own ideas about potential acquisition targets. They also conduct due diligence on primary funds and other investments, monitor the performance of portfolio companies and make suggestions for improvement, and perform other tasks as assigned by managing partners. At some firms, the terms “analyst” and “associate” are used interchangeably. At other employers, these titles entail specific job duties or levels of experience.
Wealth & Investment Management
Wealth management is a high-level professional service that combines financial and investment advice, accounting and tax services, retirement planning, and legal or estate planning. Wealth management professionals may work with stocks, bonds, mutual funds, investment accounts, private equity, or hedge funds.
American Wealth Management Association
Economists
American Association of Finance and Accounting - The largest and oldest alliance of executive search firms specializing in the placement of finance and accounting professionals.
American Economics Association (AEA) Careers in Economics - This brief educational video will be of interest to students who are evaluating career options in economics or may have wondered what types of professionals utilize economics in various fields.
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Committed to member service and the public interest, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and its predecessors have been serving the accounting profession since 1887. No matter where your career takes you, the AICPA is there to provide the training, professional skills, programs, services and publications you need to keep you at the top of your professional life. Membership required
American Woman’s Society of CPAs- The American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA) is a national organization dedicated to serving all women CPAs. The AWSCPA provides a supportive environment and valuable resources for members to achieve their personal and professional goals through various opportunities, including scholarships and networking.
Association for Financial Professionals - Treasury and corporate finance; AFP provides professional certification, continuing education, public policy research, development of industry standards, financial tools and publications, training and career development, and representation to legislators and regulators.
Consulting is an industry focused on helping clients and organizations solve problems. Examples of consulting careers include, but are not limited to, management/strategy, economic, Information technology (IT), and Human Resources/staffing. Consultants offer skills in assessing and solving business problems and are hired by companies who need their expertise and outside perspective.
Association of Management Consulting Firms - International association of firms engaged in the practice of consulting to management.
Consulting Magazine - Features the latest information on consulting careers, thought leadership, and corporate strategies. The magazine’s annual features include The Top 25 Most Influential Consultants, and The Best Firms to Work For - which receives responses from over 10,000 individual consultants about their careers.
Institute of Management Consultants USA - Education, resources, news.
Professional and Technical Consultants Association - Non-profit organization created specifically to help businesses and independent consultants connect.
Women in Consulting – Non-profit affiliation of business consultants, find a job or a consultant.
Case Interviews
During a case interview, the interviewer poses a problem or question and asks the candidate to explain the steps she would take to solve it. The interviewer may not be seeking a specific “correct” answer, but instead uses the case to evaluate the candidate’s problem solving skills, logical reasoning, numerical agility and creativity, and ability to brainstorm.
Many top consulting firms offer case interview resources online:
Accenture Tips for a Successful Interview.
Bain & Company Crack the Case.
Victor Cheng, CaseInterview.com
Boston Consulting Group - Check out the careers section for career path info, internships, training, and more.
Deloitte - Recruitment process, resume and interview tips, behavioral interviews, Case Interview Prep Tool.
McKinsey & Company McKinsey & Company Interview Tips Specific resources for case interviewing. Includes videos, online case studies, practice test, and more.
Management Consulting Case Interview formula Flash Cards
Entrepreneurship generally refers to transforming a conceptual idea to an actual new business or organization. Roles in a start-up environment can span many industries and job functions. But, the common factors in these careers are high-paced, ambiguous environments where you have to quickly move from ideas to actions.
United Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
International Council for Small Business
Entrepreneur.com - Business ideas, tools and services, and a women’s entrepreneurship center.
Entrepreneurship.org - A resource for entrepreneurs, policy-makers, inventors, mentors, researchers, and academics around the world.
Idea Cafe - Business ideas, financing, marketing, grants, loans and more.
Writing a Business Plan - The Small Business Association's comprehensive guide to creating a business plan.
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)the largest ongoing study of entrepreneurial dynamics in the world
Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation Entrepreneurship Initiatives& the Entrepreneurship Initiative is to encourage entrepreneurial activity in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts by fostering an educational environment among participating colleges and universities that informs, supports, and inspires students, and by recognizing and awarding students who display entrepreneurial spirit.
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
U.S Small Business Administration
Echoing Green We work at the intersection of social justice and social innovation, connecting our expertise and global networks to emerging leaders creating long-lasting social change.
Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationWe work with entrepreneurs, empower them with tools and resources, and work to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses.
Venture for America is a two-year fellowship program for recent college grads who want to work at a startup and create jobs in American cities.
Bloomberg Terminal available in Smith College Library. Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) is a 10-hour, self-paced e-learning course that provides an interactive introduction to the financial markets.
Global Financial Institutions Concentration comprises a sequence of six courses and a combination of internships and workshops to develop appropriate computer skills. Students typically complete the requirements of the GFIC in three years.
The Smith College Fellowships Program advises Smith students and recent alumnae who wish to apply for competitive national and international fellowships.
Graduate & Professional School is this the next step for you?
Student Clubs & Organizations find passionate about the same things you are!
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