What does it take to get into a Finance career without a degree?

Thanks SSG I'll definitely take a look at the link that you provided.

That makes sense. I appreciate the comment.

Without the degree I would establish a foundation in bookkeeping or audit without looking down on a particular job. I was a Finance BBA undergrad in 1988ish living in the dorms. A girl I knew got a job doing book keeping for a small produce company in Milwaukee but ended up as an Actuary / Underwriter after graduation at a Insurance Company. I snagged a job as Night Auditor at a local hotel (they also have relief Night Auditor that works for two days instead of five). Both establish a general foundation in Accounting / Bookkeeping. Just a FYI, your not going to go far in Corporate Finance without a CPA, that is just the way it is for large companies. The good news is Finance Degree encompasses a lot of fields from Insurance to Economics (most BBA in Finance programs almost have a Economics Minor). You can even get a minor in Information Technology with BBA in Finanace and concentrate on Business Applications like SAP. So Finance is a huge field in my opinion outside of Corp Finance. Would advise you stay away from brokerages or brokerage firms if you value your long-term health. Most are sweat shops. I don't know anything about Financial Advisor field except that you can read a Magazine and learn how to do that job (Kiplingers Personal Finance).....not a lot of skill. I chose IT and Business Applications back in 1991, I have not had any problem finding a job since and never have been unemployed longer than 6 months (some firms go bottom up, others decide to leave the IT business application market).

SPC Erich Guenther - I'll take a look at that. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post.

LCpl Michael Grogan - No problem, my Dad was a CPA and I am still managing his retirement funds for my Mom as a Trustee (no formal Financial Advisor training the BBA Finance degree was enough...trust me, most Financial Advisors fall far short of the experience you will have when you have that degree). One other thing I will pass onto you is the Faculty at your school teaching the Junior and Senior level Finance courses stop by during their office hours and introduce yourself, many of them are working in Corporate Finance and can tell you of how realistic your plans are as how to get an internship if they know of one. Many companies that do not have existing internships can easily create one.....not a huge burden. Also, Alumni meetings are a good place to mingle and ask questions. Most Universities have an Alumni House where Alumni meets for fundraising events you can slip into those as a volunteer or paid help. Rotary International is good too, check into their college Chapter or join the big one in whatever City your in.

SPC Erich Guenther - Sounds good. You have given me a lot of information so I appreciate it.