Financial services put money to work, connecting savers with borrowers. They intermediate cash and redistribute risk—by aggregating savings from many depositors, banks can afford to take on more risks and provide more lending to consumers; insurance companies pool risk by paying policy holders whose claims they cover. They also facilitate the free flow of capital, manage market liquidity and drive national economies.

The health of the financial services industry is critical to the economy as a whole. It allows people to get loans for big purchases like houses and cars, enables businesses to expand and grow, and safeguards the wellbeing of individuals and their property through insurance.

This is a huge and diverse industry, with countless subsectors and opportunities. To determine if it’s the right path for you, consider your own strengths and goals. Financial services employers are known to invest in their employees, offering plenty of training and promoting on merit.

Some of the most popular roles for new grads in this sector are: Investment banking – Providing advisory and underwriting services for mergers and acquisitions. Prime brokerage – An exclusive type of bundled broker service for high net worth individuals and institutions with more intricate needs. Securities research – Conducting deep-dive analyses on individual stocks and industries for clients. Private banking – Providing banking and investment services to high-net-worth individuals and families.