There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.

Essential skills built through majoring in Finance include:

• Critical Thinking
• Career Development
• Technology

Click here to learn more about each essential skill.

Our majors find themselves most often in:

• Financial Management
• Financial Analysis
• Personal Financial Advising

Click here to explore career opportunities by major.

Graduate School Pathways include:

• Master’s of Finance
• Master’s of Business Administration
• Master’s of Professional Accountancy

Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.

Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.

Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.

To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps

1. Click on your year in school from the list below.
2. Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
3. Complete any necessary steps listed.
4. Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.

All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.

• Attend orientation and register for classes.
• Meet with your Academic Advisor.
• Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.

• Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
• Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
• Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).

• Participate in Department or College of Business Welcome Week and Open House events.
• Meet your Finance Faculty Members and Academic Advisor.
• Complete your Business Core prerequisite courses.

• Get connected with Student Groups and Clubs.
• Follow the College of Business on Social Media.
• Learn your student support resources.

• Explore different Finance Career options.
• Consider internship opportunities or leadership programs.
• Familiarize yourself with Career Services C2 Hub support.

• Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
• Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
• Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.

• Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
• Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
• Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.

• Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
• Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
• Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.

• Select your Finance concentration and consider adding a certificate or minor.
• If considering Study Abroad, talk to your Advisor about how this fits into your degree.
• Build your resume and cover letter and start applying for internships.

• Join Beta Gamma Sigma, if eligible, or look for student leadership and volunteer opportunities.
• Attend Career Panels.
• Review your upper division Finance elective options.

• Meet with your Academic Advisor to develop a graduation plan.
• Participate in C2 Hub Business events like Meet the Firms and Mock Interviews.
• Meet with a Finance Faculty member to discuss career or graduate opportunities.

• Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
• Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
• Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.

• Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
• Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.

• Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
• Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
• Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
• Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.

• If applying for graduate school, finalize preparations such as taking the GMAT and asking for faculty recommendation letters.
• Select your Finance Capstone Course (your concentration must match this course).
• Consider completing an internship for credit.

• Consider being a Tutor, Supplemental Instructor, or Peer Mentor.
• Take on leadership roles in student groups or clubs.
• Take electives that polish business, leadership, or communication skills.

• Attend job fairs and career and networking events like Dress for Success.
• Finalize your cover letter, resume, LinkedIn Profile.
• Develop a job search strategy and apply for jobs.