Changing major to Drama/Theater

Can anyone comment on or verify the existence of investment bankers (at all levels from intern to MD) with this major? All anecdotes are welcome.

i'm currently a hard science major (think physics/chem/CS) with a solid GPA. I've a passion for theater and don't enjoy my major courses/labs nearly as much as I do studying drama or participating in productions. also, the kids in my major are boring and antisocial. not good people to be around when you want to develop personable characteristics for a career that emphasizes clients and working in groups.

Will I kill all chances of entry into IB if i drop my major for drama? i'm not at HYP, but my school is known in the northeast and has a close-knit network. i have worked in both tech and finance. I have a fall finance internship and will probably have a winter gig as well. I also run two websites that are related to finance. my goal is to work in a TMT/tech group after graduation.

9 Comments
 

If theater is your passion why are you trying to get into finance... Some people just set themselves upfor a life of regret.

 

deal_mkr: I'm using the definition of nerd that implies a lack of social skills. That type of nerd would be found in other divisions of a bank as quants or programmers. They are inapt for client-facing roles within the IBD.

jktecon: There are ways to contribute to theater without having to make a poor living. Organizations like The Public Theater are possible because of corporate sponsorship and individual support. Funding is scarce while acting talent is not.

 
Best Response
Shylockdeal_mkr: I'm using the definition of nerd that implies a lack of social skills. That type of nerd would be found in other divisions of a bank as quants or programmers. They are inapt for client-facing roles within the IBD.

Newsflash - IBD analyst is not client facing (espc. SA/1st yr), strong social skills are not a prereq for that position.

not sure why your response was so immediately defensive. I still strongly recommend you stick with one traditional academic major, although certainly no problem with other major/minor, indeed it might set you apart from the parade of Econ/Finance majors.

 

I'm sure you'll get home after your 100 hour weeks just overjoyed to give back to the people who had the balls to follow their dreams. Just don't take it out on the people around you, it's not their fault. Good luck in any case.

 

Newsflash - I never said IBD analysts were client-facing, but thanks for the advice.

After an extensive Google/LinkedIn search, the "best" employed position I found with someone having been a theater major (by itself) was an Executive Assistant at Moelis & Company in NYC.

 

Nothing is impossible, it can definitely be done but I dont get why you're doing theatre if you're trying to get into IBD/TMT. Your credentials don't sound too bad but a drama major will be looked down upon on a resume

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
 

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