How to get a job in finance with an engineering degree

Are you an engineering student or graduate who’s realising that maybe a career in finance would suit you more? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

While it may be desirable to have a finance-related degree to land a career in the sector, it’s not essential. There are routes into finance with any degree, and a degree grounded in numeracy skills—like engineering—can give you a competitive edge.

Here, we’ll help you decide whether a career in finance is right for you and share tips to help get you there – from networking and doing internships to applying for schemes and more. Plus, get inspiration from a student who’s making the switch from engineering to finance. Let’s get into it.

Key takeaways:

• Do your research to make sure a career in finance is right for you
• Meet a student who’s making the switch from engineering to finance
• Network at events, create winning applications, boost your knowledge and score an internship or scheme

Is a job in finance right for me?

Before you explore careers in finance, be sure to do some research to make sure it’s right for you.

Careers in engineering typically involve designing, testing and developing products, and you’ll choose a speciality like aerospace, civil or mechanical engineering. Whereas working in finance involves things like planning and guiding a company’s financial transactions and reporting and recording transactions. Typical jobs in finance include Accountant, financial analyst, investment banker , and stockbroker.

See more finance job descriptions to help you decide your perfect fit. We also have advice on how to make a switch to a banking or investment role , if you decide that’s what you want to do. Our finance GradSims can also help - see if finance roles and companies that spark your curiosity pass the vibe check.

• Find out more: Which finance degree would suit me?

Meet Sam Jones, a civil engineering student at Imperial College London

Here’s some inspiration from a student who's making the switch from finance to engineering – take a look at what he’s said about his journey so far.

It’s extremely hard to know 100% if an industry is right for you so it’s important to research as much as possible. My reasons for being interested in both finance and engineering overlap. My engineering degree might not help me with a balance sheet, but it is about applying knowledge to solve problems and make an impact, whether that’s socially, environmentally or economically. The skills I’ve picked up are transferable.

Lots of engineers will consider a non-engineering career at some point and I’d say a larger than normal proportion of engineering students at [university] go into finance. However, it’s not easy to change direction without any finance knowledge or experience. Finance is a competitive industry to get into and you don’t need a finance degree to apply, so you’re in the company of many more students from a range of degree backgrounds.

As an engineering graduate, you might not know some things that finance graduates do, but an employer will provide on-the-job training. In fact, engineers can often bring different, important skills and perspectives to the table. Engineers have a good reputation for our problem-solving skills and adaptability, for example.

For anyone planning the switch, I’d recommend talking to contacts through family and friends, applying to employers' spring weeks and completing free online courses on topics such as corporate finance or finance modelling. All of these things will help with the basics and give you something to talk about at interviews. Joining a finance society at university will also give you access to contacts and opportunities that may be hard to get otherwise.

Not everyone can do a finance internship and recruiters appreciate this, but everyone can use the internet to do some research and develop their skills. If you put the time in and do this, you’ll be able to show finance employers that you’re dedicated.

Five tips to help you switch from engineering to finance

1. Go to events and network with employers

Networking at events is a great way to meet and impress potential employers, which could help you land an opportunity.

targetjobs events like the Self-Made Programme are worth joining if you want to build your contacts and create new connections. Our Black excellence in finance event is specifically designed for Black heritage students to connect with leading employers in finance, get career guidance, insights, and more. See all targetjobs events.

2. Boost your financial knowledge

Going to events will also help you to build on your financial knowledge. Outside of that try doing courses, listening to podcasts, and reading books to help you impress employers in your applications and interviews.

We’ve already mentioned GradSims - as well as helping you decide on a career path, doing finance GradSims will help you gain knowledge about specific roles – for example, you can learn what a typical day-to-day looks like for a management accountant , or audit graduate .

You can also work on typical skills you’d need outside of the technical stuff, like analytical thinking, time management, and communication. We have a free online learning hub called Pathways that could help you build these skills, where you’ll learn directly from industry experts.

3. Learn how to create winning job applications

Before you apply, learn how to master the application process.

Your CV: highlight your relevant skills, qualifications and experience, tailoring these to each role – see our dedicated CV tips guide, and if you’re looking for banking and actuarial CV guidance , this article will help.

Your cover letter: be sure to get across your interest and commitment to the employer and sector, and research the company/role, making sure you’re tailoring each cover letter to the requirements in the job description. Learn more – ace your cover letters .

Download CV and cover letter templates .

4. Score a finance internship

Finance internships can be competitive, especially at larger companies. If you follow the steps above, your chances of landing an internship should get a nice boost. If you do get on to one, it should help prepare you for life on a graduate scheme or in a graduate job.

During an internship, you’ll likely support the team through various tasks like creating spreadsheets or analysing data. You’ll gain hands-on experience, financial knowledge, and maybe even land a role at the end of it.

Apply for finance internships on targetjobs.

5. Get onto a finance graduate scheme

Before you straight-up apply for jobs in finance, try getting on to a scheme first – you'll get a proper salary. In the UK, many graduate schemes are open to people with any degree. Most employers are more interested in transferable skills like problem-solving and communication.

During a scheme (which is usually one to three years) your employer may rotate you through different departments – a lot of the time with other graduates on the same scheme. Schemes will help you decide which area of finance is right for you, and you may even get a full-time position at the end of it. Also, you’ll get mentoring and support while you learn which could make it a much easier transition from engineering.

Apply for finance graduate schemes on targetjobs.

Get career ready and land your perfect role

Ready to launch your career? We’ve got you covered.

• Sign up to targetjobs to get a personalised feed with the latest jobs, career advice, courses, and events, tailored to your needs
• Check out our dedicated finance career hub where you’ll find advice that’ll help you succeed
• Discover career paths and top tips to help you apply with confidence and land that role – learn how to nail the application process , get interview guidance, and more
• When you’re ready, browse open graduate jobs and graduate schemes, and apply for roles that are the right fit for you