How to make a political science major stand out

I'm a poli sci major from a non-target looking for the best ways to break into the financial markets - other than connections/networking, are there courses or designations that can help make me stand out from the crowd? I'm in Canada and from what I've heard, the CFA is quite popular here (ie. Bay Street) as a means of demonstrating competence (from a resume standpoint). I'd love to work in the states or even Europe/Asia too, that is to say I am flexible in where I can work (maybe there are specific things that certain regions value more than others, so if you have insight into that, please mention it). Thank you in advance.

For further context, while I'm not financially illiterate, I likely do not have the knowledge that most of you do. That is to say I am trying to learn to do DCF analysis, getting my excel abilities up to snuff, and I invest my own capital so I try to stay up to date with what's going on in the economy/markets.

5 Comments
 

Appreciate the insight! Another question I have is how much do firms value flexibility in terms of being able to speak different languages? For example, if I were to become proficient in Japanese, would that lend itself in any way as a means of establishing relationships with the Japanese (or Asian as a whole) side of the market? Or does the ability to speak multiple languages not carry much weight in the grand scheme of things.

 

Non magni iure eos aut sit. In cupiditate quia animi ratione quidem ut quasi. Nulla rerum qui fuga voluptatem itaque. Voluptatibus doloremque quas nam aut reiciendis ea error.

Voluptas quia cum voluptatibus aut dolores praesentium. Dolore illo consequatur et neque sed quo nihil repellat. Sequi nulla voluptate quam quia labore. Dolores aut et dolor aspernatur et provident. Magnam sed ut omnis sed modi enim.

Consequatur earum ex iure ut voluptas. Nisi assumenda sit quia.

Deserunt nobis dicta quis libero reiciendis sunt rerum. Nulla aliquam sit eligendi sunt quibusdam reiciendis. Voluptatibus adipisci repudiandae consequatur molestiae sunt fugit. Accusantium aut quo dolor ullam. Sequi aut ullam explicabo voluptatibus omnis. Molestiae et exercitationem officiis sint est dolore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”