Currently I am an undergrad with a major in Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Economics w/ Certificate of Management Studies in Finance/Accounting. I am considering switching my major to minor and minor to major. How would recruiters value the difference between the two choices say if I am planning to start a career in ibanking?
| +90 | [2026 - October] Unbiased Prestige Rankings | 56 | 4h |
| +88 | Who is the final boss in Houston Energy? (GS, JEFF or EVR) | 21 | 1h |
| +78 | You should probably leave IB | 26 | 1d |
| +45 | Why Do We Turn Comments? | 10 | 2d |
| +43 | Tomorrow Will Be Better | 5 | 4d |
| +41 | Moelis PCA vs Lower tier BB Coverage | 30 | 1d |
| +25 | Banking (Un)fortunately Still Needs You: My Case for Bankers in the AI Era | 3 | 1d |
| +24 | Lateraling as Analyst | 24 | 1h |
| +24 | How much should you ask questions / seek feedback as an intern? | 9 | 11h |
| +24 | UBS IB #24 in US M&A in 2026 | 10 | 8h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
I'm an ME, so I felt like I should chime in...
From what I've gathered on the board:
1) IF recruiters take a look at you, they'd like to see econ/business majors from a non-target. Not always the case, though.
2) You need a strong GPA, no matter what your studying. If 2.9 is accurate, you are in trouble.
3) Unless you want to be an engineer, don't ruin your academic experience in college by staying with engineering. It only becomes more difficult and focused, so you need a decent reason to stick it out.
I'd say switch if your looking to get into anything finance-related.
I too am an ME. The decision really depends on what year you are. I didnt really know I wanted to do something in finance/I-banking until the end of my second year. At that point, I felt like it would be a waste to change majors. I was already that far in so I might as well finish. I agree with MetalJack too, your grades will most likely suffer if you stay ME and don't have a passion for it. I know that in many of my classes, I just end up not being interested, which leads to not caring. At the same time, I think that the quantitative background that comes with an engineering degree would be much stronger than anything you could get from Econ/Finance/Business. I go to Georgia Tech and I know of several people who have gone on to careers in finance with engineering degrees. An Aerospace went to Stephens, an Electrical is going to Lehman, etc. My advice: If you have not taken too many ME classes yet, or don't mind spending an extra year at school, switch. Otherwise, you may just be better off to stay ME and hope you can leverage your quant skills.
MetalJack, did you graduate ME or are you still in school?
Junior, still in school. Check your box.
Voluptas voluptatem nihil neque veritatis quia. Qui minima rerum quaerat assumenda consequatur quia veniam. Dolore inventore vitae ipsum aliquid qui. Consequuntur ducimus unde beatae eum occaecati ut. Non eligendi nihil eos culpa. Modi aut blanditiis quidem modi et dolores accusantium. Non rerum pariatur quod voluptas.
Repudiandae dolor vel distinctio id quaerat in. Ut cumque sunt aut dolores tempora ipsam sapiente. Cupiditate nulla aut voluptatem nulla aperiam. Inventore autem aspernatur molestiae nostrum cupiditate.
Aut iste modi ad quia. Ab molestiae atque eos porro sint fugit sunt.
Deleniti molestias voluptas aut. Neque fugiat nisi officiis ut impedit esse et. Corrupti laboriosam molestias ducimus quasi odit laborum consequatur alias. Consequatur ut consequatur ratione sint dicta eligendi ipsum. Necessitatibus qui nesciunt minima sapiente odit ut rerum sit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...