USNA, the United States Naval Academy, doesn’t offer a “finance” major in the traditional sense. Instead, aspiring finance professionals at USNA typically choose majors that provide a strong foundation for financial careers. These include: * **Economics:** Provides a broad understanding of economic principles, market dynamics, and quantitative analysis. This is arguably the most direct path towards a finance-related career from USNA. * **Mathematics:** Develops strong analytical and problem-solving skills, crucial for quantitative finance, risk management, and investment analysis. * **Operations Research:** Focuses on using mathematical and computational methods to optimize decision-making in complex systems. It’s a great fit for roles in financial modeling, portfolio optimization, and algorithmic trading. * **Quantitative Economics:** A more mathematically rigorous approach to economics, blending economic theory with statistical and econometric techniques. * **Political Science:** Understanding government regulation, policy impacts, and international relations are important for navigating the complex financial landscape. No matter their major, midshipmen interested in finance actively pursue opportunities to enhance their knowledge and experience: * **Extracurricular Activities:** The Academy hosts various clubs and organizations focused on investing, financial literacy, and career exploration. Examples include investment clubs, the Finance Club, and entrepreneurship groups. * **Summer Internships:** Midshipmen participate in internships at financial institutions, government agencies, and corporations. These experiences provide real-world exposure to different areas within finance, like investment banking, asset management, or corporate finance. * **Mentorship Programs:** USNA alumni working in finance often mentor midshipmen, offering guidance on career paths, networking opportunities, and navigating the transition from military service to the financial industry. * **Advanced Degrees:** Many USNA graduates interested in finance pursue advanced degrees, such as MBAs, Master of Finance degrees, or specialized programs in areas like financial engineering. These degrees provide specialized knowledge and skills, further enhancing their career prospects. The USNA education emphasizes leadership, integrity, and a strong work ethic – qualities highly valued in the finance industry. While a dedicated “finance” major isn’t available, the combination of a rigorous academic curriculum, extracurricular involvement, and professional development opportunities allows midshipmen to successfully pursue careers in various financial fields after their service commitment. These can range from traditional areas like investment banking and wealth management to emerging fields like fintech and impact investing. Furthermore, the structured environment and intense training at USNA foster a strong sense of discipline and the ability to perform under pressure, qualities that translate well to the demanding world of finance.