Introduction

Hi all,

Am an entering college freshman looking to enter IB upon graduation. Stumbled across this site and have already found it to be amazingly useful - thanks. Planning on seeking out a junior internship program at the latest summer prior to senior year. Double majoring in Econ/History would appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks.

 
Best Response

Welcome Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt is certainly a good school and it will be particularly helpful if you're looking at schools in the south. However, I wouldn't recommend a major in history. While history majors certainly do get jobs in banking, it is harder for them. Quantitative majors (Such as Math, and to a lesser extent Econ) will be your best bet. Vanderbilt is known for its great engineering program, correct? That would also be an excellent path if it interests you.

My advice would be to work hard (keep the GPA strong), read the Wall Street Journal and educate yourself in the fields of finance and accounting (seeing as it isn't your major).

Hope this helps!

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

To be honest, the whole "major" discussion is rather humorous.

Quantitative majors certainly show that you have good quantitative/analytical abilities; however, they are far from a prerequisite as the tasks in IBD require the mathematical skills of middle schooler.

Now, for S&T, I think there is definitely a stronger reason to pursue a quantitative major.

 

First - thanks for the initial advice. Greatly appreciated. I am of course looking for every opportunity to increase my chances of landing valuable internships and the first couple jobs, but I'm pretty set on the Econ/History combination. History is perhaps the best major to utilize and develop qualitative critical thinking skills - skills that will prove useful in doing the job well after landing it. I'll be fine justifying my choice of part one of my BA in any interview. Economics is as you note, not quite a math major but not quite a qualitative major, but nevertheless a useful course of study to gain entry to IBD. I'm very excited about that combo. As to the recommendations about gaining a wealth of knowledge related to the industry and financial happenings, I do indeed regularly peruse the WSJ and am overjoyed to have found this site! Thanks again and am looking forward to learning.

 

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