There are numerous career opportunities in investment management spanning various sub-sectors. Recruiting can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Given the fragmented nature of the industry, we offer specialized resources that provide tailored career development support, and a clear recruiting timeline, to help you secure the perfect opportunity in the investment management field.
Finance is a strong area at UNC Kenan-Flagler, with approximately 35% of our full-time MBA students and 55% of our Undergraduate Business Program students pursuing careers in finance. Positions in investment management, sales and trading and private wealth management command premium salaries in line with investment banking with reasonable work-life balance.
Review the MBA employment report (PDF) >
Review the Undergraduate Business employment report (PDF) >
Candidates at UNC Kenan-Flagler who are interested in investment management will have an opportunity to recruit with the most reputable firms in the industry. Select key employers that recruit our graduates include:
First-year students at UNC are encouraged to explore various finance offerings including becoming a member of the Undergraduate Finance Society. All Undergraduate students are invited to attend signature career events such as the Undergraduate Business Symposium and the Investment Management for All: Wealth & Women (both events are open to all years). Sophomores deepen their knowledge of finance through the Investment Banking Bootcamp (IBBC), which provides a solid foundation for finance including investment management; IBBC kicks off in September so that students are prepared for internship recruiting in the Spring. Sophomores are also encouraged to take the Gateway into Capital Markets course in January – March, which further enhances the students’ recruiting efforts and positions them for the Undergraduate Alpha Competition. Junior and Seniors continue to gain additional exposure to finance and investment management via experiential offerings such as the Applied Investment Management (AIM) Program, and Projects in Investment Management Experiential-Learning (PRIME) program.
In 2026 we hosted the IMC Reunion & 4th Undergraduate Alpha competition. Over 250 students signed up in January! We now have 5 brackets, public equity and credit, private capital, private wealth management, and macro-quant. This event was led by various undergraduate clubs, and supported by the MBA Investment Management Club and the Investment Management Center. This years event featured 25 alumni from firms such as Alpha Theory, Diamond Hill, Franklin Street Partners, Goldman Sachs, Horizon, JP Morgan, Liberty Mutual, Morgan Stanley, Rand/Callodine, Resolute Capital, SharpVue, The Edge Group, Verum Partners, and William Blair served as judges. Participants were supported by 30+ faculty and student mentors.
Inclusive recruiting at investment firms offer candidates a number of opportunities to connect with firms before and during the on-campus recruiting process. Many firms offer additional touch points, early interviews and fellowship opportunities for qualifying candidates.
In addition to the Center, the MBA Investment Management Club, Smart Woman Securities, and the Undergraduate Finance Society, other organizations supporting diverse candidates at UNC Kenan-Flagler include:
Here are some resources to help you explore the world of finance.
These are excellent orientation resources before students dive into a particular asset class.
These are the books, podcasts, and resources we most often recommend to students who are exploring careers in investment management. This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, it's simply a place to start.