Econ vs. Foreign Language

I’m an undergraduate business major with a concentration in finance at what I’d consider a semi-target school (USC Marshall). I’m interested in a career in investment banking.

I have room to pick up a minor, and I’m debating between a minor in economics and a minor in a foreign language (continuing the language I took in high school).

Any thoughts? Since my concentration is already finance, would a minor in economics be necessary/useful or would it be redundant? Are foreign language skills looked upon favorably or are they generally considered irrelevant?

Thanks so much for any input.

5 Comments
 

The minor in econ would be much more "useful" to you as an analyst. Foreign language skills typically count for nothing if you aren't fluent, and even then you likely need to leave the US for credit.

However, you are already a finance major and that is more than enough. If you actually enjoy languages more than econ, go with the language. Your entire "package" doesn't need to scream banking.

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There is hardly any crossover between college economics and finance. The analytical rigor of a good econ program has some carryover to the analyst role in banking, but the content itself is mostly unrelated.

Personally, I'd go with whichever choice will make you look like a harder worker (and hopefully keep your GPA in the right range).

 

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