The Facts

• A career in banking can mean working at a commercial bank, credit union or savings and loan. It can also mean working for a government institution such as the Federal Reserve or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. While about 64 percent of those who choose a career in banking start in an office or administrative support capacity, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a preference for promoting from within can provide opportunities for advancement for people with the right level of education.
  
  

Support Positions

• A support position can be a stepping stone to bigger things. Depending on your career goals, starting with a position such as teller or account representative can help hone your people skills and increase your knowledge of banking procedures and products. If your goals focus more on accounting or analysis, a position such as an accounting or auditing clerk is a good place to start. Because many banks offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit, you may be able to reduce educational costs in addition to getting a head start in your career.
  
  

Professional Positions

• Moving to a professional position will require at least a Bachelor's degree in business administration or in the liberal arts. If you choose a liberal arts degree, the American Bankers Association recommends also including course work such as accounting, business law, business management, communications, computer programming, economics, marketing and finance. This is a good time to consider course work leading to a Master's degree in business administration. At this stage in your career, positions focusing on customer interaction include loan, investment or anti-fraud officer, division or branch manager or public relations specialist. Positions relating to finance and/or analysis include an accountant, compliance officer, credit analyst, market researcher or human resources administrator.
  
  

Government Positions

• Working for the Federal Reserve Board can mean working at the main office in Washington, D.C., as an economist, research assistant or financial analyst, or working at any one of the Federal Reserve Banks within the U.S. If you are still in school but aspire to work for this agency, you may be able to start as an intern or through a cooperative education program. Focusing more on compliance and management responsibilities, a career at the FDIC involves positions such as bank and compliance examiners, economists, financial analysts and information technology professionals. The FDIC conducts on-campus recruiting and in addition, has student-intern and employment programs.