If someone studies in Bachelors program with major in Finance, would there be only interest based work jobs or would there also be any jobs that are permissible?
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
Generally a career counselor can coach you on these questions. My advise is from my own experience after having Bachelors in Accounting and Finance.
An entry-level in Finance is essentially always in business or banking sector. The primary job one could get is selling insurance, or bank teller. In my time I could not find any job that would not require a compromise.
However, that does not mean that there may not be worthwhile opportunities in the entire market. One could look into niche area of teaching, tuitions or even freelance investing. In all such areas, one could make a focus of assisting Muslim communities with their shariah compliant mutual funds or investment guidance etc.
I do not wish to inflate the hopes, but do not expect a decent career right out of the university in finance. One will have to develop oneself into some form of analyst in order to secure a place where once can have a reasonable chance of choosing which part of the market one targets and which one not to entertain.
In the end, whatever the decision, one will have to go through a lots of hoops to understand and curate one’s career in a Shariah Compliant manner. But, every difficulty in the path is a reward for one’s Akhira (after life).
Myself, I took the easy way out and after my Masters decided to change my career towards Islamic Studies. I have never been happier and more content in my heart of any other decision more than the one I made choosing to go towards Islamic Studies.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi