Freshman Interested in Finance
Hi,
I'm a freshman at Penn State interested in finance (as well as law). From reading around a bit, it definitely seems like I should have gone to a better school (especially since I had the grades), but PSU was/is my dream school and I love it here. Anyways, I never fancied math much and got a B– in the standard single variable calculus course my first semester. Otherwise, I've got perfect marks and I'm expecting to graduate with a 3.8 or 3.9 in Finance. Assuming that happens, two questions:
1. How much math is really necessary for analyst positions at BB banks? Will my distaste for calculus make me hate the job? Are there practice areas that are heavier in math that I should avoid, and the inverse that I should seek?
2. Will my grade in calculus be a limiting factor when looking for jobs? Will that B– be a glaring mark on my transcript? (paranoid..?: should I retake it?) How about Penn State as a limiting factor?
Thanks and sorry if this is in the wrong place
1) Nothing beyond your basic multiplication, addition, division, and subtraction is required for the job, but you have Excel to help you make sense of complicated problems like 3+4. Math isn't needed too much in IB, but more quant-oriented roles, like trading, are big on mental math. Could you tell me what 14*25 is if I randomly screamed it at you while running to class?
2) No, in terms of grades. Penn State could limit you if you apply blindly through the company's website and don't know anyone; if you reach out to PSU alums, they're more than happy to help. It's a very tight network. As long as you're happy at school, are doing well academically and in terms of interview prep (start this early; even 5/min a day every day freshman year, and 10 min/day sophomore year could yield huge results in knowledge gains), and are forming relationships with bankers early on, you should be set for the interview process.
Good to hear, thanks for the reply. I'll definitely be reaching out to alumni. Thanks.
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