Not a finance question. But didn't know a better place to ask.
Curious if anyone on the forum has any experience with or knows anyone who's done an MA in International Affairs.
Not necessarily looking to study it to work at a global macro fund/hedge fund but more an institution like the Federal Reserve/World Bank/IMF/ US Treasury.
I'm debating whether it would be worthwhile at all to take out approximately 120k in loans for a degree that wouldn't lead to a big pay increase like an MBA, MD, or JD (and even that is questionable)
Very curious as well. What if this is done in conjunction with economics/finance/math?
I do know that most programs have different sub programs within the MA/MS
Most have a security studies sub-program that focuses on international security, terrorism/counterterrorism, etc.
But also have a finance and economics sub-track as well too.
Anyone have any insight on the value of such a program vs the steep cost?
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I know a guy doing SAIS. He is a beast, so I imagine it is a great program.
Getting a MA in International Affairs/International Relations at a top school (Originally Posted: 10/15/2010)
Say I go straight out of a semi-target undergrad b-school with extensive internship experience, EC's and a concentration in finance and I-bus to a target school penn/stanford/columbia/nyu/duke and get a degree in international affairs/relations. Would it be possible to use their networks and OCR to land an IB spot? Would I even have access to their undergrad OCR/events?
my "story"
I'm foreign (lived for 14 years in a difference country) and decide I want to learn more about international business/governments and emerging economies before I entered the workforce or something like that..
Buyx3 do you mind sharing your friend's background (no need for specific company or school names) before going into SAIS? And do you have any idea what he wants to do with his degree after he's finished?
obviously this would be a hedge against not landing a FT offer. just looking to see if it's a good/bad idea. I can follow up with the directors of the programs about specifics re recruiting.
Why wouldn't you get something a bit more applicable to banking? I know you're trying to hedge against not getting an offer but, depending on your UG Major, there should probably be something a bit more in the vein that you're looking for (MA Econ, International Political Economy, etc.). Plus I'm not sure if you would have the same access to OCR as undergrads or MBA students as you wouldn't be in the school of business. Might be a good question to ask someone in your program.
I took a masters in International Relations Middle East at a top UK University and have landed a MM S&T ft gig, my advice would be to load up on useful modules i took more than half of mine and my dissertation in Islamic Finance, gave me something interesting to talk about in interviews and it was semi relevant. Hope that helps.
How do Masters in Public Policy with concentrations in Economics/Finance fare?
Got offers from Cornell, Georgetown, and now UPenn..
Didnt go to any of the schools mentioned. Ended up at the Fletcher School in Boston doing a combined degree with Tufts and Harvard.
PMed
If you are doing it solely to make more money in the next 5-10 years I would advise against it - it probably won't help you climb the ladder in banking or the buy side. That being said one of the most successful guys I know (partner at Carlyle and runs his own fund now) did the Wharton MBA/SAIS international affairs combo. I think it would be intellectually stimulating and enjoyable, but doubt it would help me become a better investor.
SAIS is a great program and with the ability to tailor it to your preference, many students head into the finance field. Scope here if money is the motivation, however they are IR schools. Realism is necessary.
Agreed, you probably won't gain any extra knowladge out of it with regards to investments, but wouldn't new opportunities, such as the world bank/IMF/public sector consulting become avalible when they wouldn't otherwise?
Would it be fair to say sias and hks would be the only ir programs with any clout in the finance arena? Any thoughts on Chicagos ir program?
Would it be fair to say sias and hks would be the only ir programs with any clout in the finance arena? Any thoughts on Chicagos ir program?
I'd steer clear of Chicago. More academically orientated. However, you have the option to do dual degrees perhaps with Econ, Finance, etc.
SAIS definitely caters to private sector careers, not sure about HKS but I would imagine it has its fair share.
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