So I'm a sophomore Economics major and Computer Science minor, but I'm starting to not enjoy my CS classes. I've looked at previous posts to see how useful a CS minor is, but didn't find a good answer. Should I just stick it through with two more CS classes and take a slight GPA hit, or is it not worth it? I know I have to decide for myself, but I kinda want to hear the opinions of others...
is it a good idea to get a computer science minor?
On the topic of a CS minor, our users shared different perspectives. Some feel that the struggle of the CS classes is not worth it as it will not be that applicable in IB. However, another user highlighted that going through and getting the minor will be beneficial as programming becomes more important in the industry.
User @Underdogforlife" shared another perspective:
UnderdogforlifeComputer Science is getting more important every day. Especially for S/T and HF it is basically a must. Not so much for IBD until now. But CS shows that you are good at numbers and it can help you stick out of the crowd.If you like it definitely go for it, if you hate doing it then forget about it.
If you can combine CS with business acumen, you will be a rock star.
Computer Science Minor Does Not Help for Wall Street
lebron - Hedge Fund Research AnalystYour minor doesn't have as much weight as you think it does, and you definitely don't need it to get into IBD. Your GPA is the most important thing, so if you're going to struggle because of CS, don't do it. If you want the knowledge, just take the essential programming/data structures/algorithms classes, pass/fail if you have to, without completing the minor.
lebron - Hedge Fund Research AnalystIt won't help you much in finance. I'm assuming you want to go into banking. It might help you in S&T and you need to be a coder if you wanted to be a prop trader, but that requires far more than a CS minor and you wouldn't be asking that question if that was your goal. Even the intro to programming classes cover more than you need, if this really is just for banking I'd just become an expert in VBA/Excel, and maybe bash scripting/Python if you're really bored.If you're very close, consider just finishing it. Like you said, you already finished all the weed-out classes. Take some fun electives and see what you like. You don't have to like something 100% of the time to do it. Also, you're a sophomore. Take a semester or two off, spare your GPA, rejuvenate your interest, and finish it senior year or second semester junior year after you finish recruiting. You could always find the easier CS classes if you're worried about GPA.
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Your minor doesn't have as much weight as you think it does, and you definitely don't need it to get into IBD. Your GPA is the most important thing, so if you're going to struggle because of CS, don't do it. If you want the knowledge, just take the essential programming/data structures/algorithms classes, pass/fail if you have to, without completing the minor.
Thanks for the advice! Would it look really bad if I P/F a CS class a semester before recruiting?
no, the P/F wouldn't look bad at all. A CS minor will look decent however. But then again, it's not worth it if your gpa takes a substantial hit.
Thanks for the advice. I know it looks decent, but will it really matter 10 years down the line? I'm going to talk to my minor adviser and see what they have to say.
Personally, if you're only using it as a resume' builder, I'd say no. However, if you're getting it as a backup plan in the event the finance gig doesn't work, then I might reconsider.
Depending on the curriculum, a CS degree, along with at least 4 - 5 computer languages mastered, will get you a nice gig writing code. You have to be built for that career, though.
You're being ridiculous. If your goal is finance, then why would you get a CS minor? Chances are, a CS minor will hit your GPA, whilst not even giving you anything of use within finance or CS. It's a lose-lose situation for someone who is wanting to go into finance.
It seems like you've got your answer, yet you don't want to accept it.
P.S. Your university course advisers don't know fucking shit about anything.
I've contemplated a CS minor too. It's not worth it imo... CS is something you have to commit to 100% because if its on your resume, people will expect you to know it. a minor in CS just shows you tried but have a mediocre CS skillset at best, plus it will undoubtedly lower your GPA
CS has actually boosted my GPA until this semester, I guess I've been lucky. I really appreciate your response and I do agree that people expect you know all the ins and outs of it.
I see your point. However, people who have done the CS minor at my school have gotten jobs at top tech firms as both programmers and in biz dev, so it's pretty intense at my school.
Also, my CS adviser is a professor who has won some pretty prestigious research awards so maybe they can give some advice because they have mentioned how some students they previously advised are making $$$ on Wall Street now.
I'm just conflicted because I got through all the weeder classes, so I'm very close...but my heart isn't 100% into the subject anymore.
I'm working at en EB this Summer and almost all of my interviews discussed my computer science minor. Depends how you tie it in, but a finance major doesn't really require much in terms of skills. CS requires analytical, logical thinking, which can't hurt to show off. With that being said, if you don't like CS then don't go through with it. I enjoyed it a lot.
If you want to do something constructive with your time, then take more finance/accounting classes. Those will actually add value to your career, instead of pissing money and time into the wind.
I'm going to try and address all the questions you posted, forgive me if I miss some as it's 12:30 am on Friday night and I'm about to leave. For reference I was a math major and semi-CS minor, took all of the classes related to programming, skipped the required theory/systems/security/everything-else-you-need-to-actually-be-a-computer-scientist classes.
-P/F won't look bad. Almost always a company won't see your actual transcript until after they extend an offer. I think a few (DE Shaw, Amazon?) applications I had required me to include my actual transcript, and they won't hold it against you for taking a class in a historically difficult subject like CS on your own initiative.
-No, it won't matter 10 years down the line, and like the guy above said, your advisor won't give you much advice. Mine did more damage than help. A decade from now, your work experience should (and hopefully does) carry more weight than what you did in undergrad (especially a minor).
-As the same guy said, it won't help you much in finance. I'm assuming you want to go into banking. It might help you in S&T and you need to be a coder if you wanted to be a prop trader, but that requires far more than a CS minor and you wouldn't be asking that question if that was your goal. Even the intro to programming classes cover more than you need, if this really is just for banking I'd just become an expert in VBA/Excel, and maybe bash scripting/Python if you're really bored.
-If you're very close, consider just finishing it. Like you said, you already finished all the weed-out classes. Take some fun electives and see what you like. You don't have to like something 100% of the time to do it. Also, you're a sophomore. Take a semester or two off, spare your GPA, rejuvenate your interest, and finish it senior year or second semester junior year after you finish recruiting. You could always find the easier CS classes if you're worried about GPA.
Computer Science is getting more important every day. Especially for S/T and HF it is basically a must. Not so much for IBD until now. But CS shows that you are good at numbers and it can help you stick out of the crowd. If you like it definitely go for it, if you hate doing it then forget about it. If you can combine CS with business acumen, you will be a rock star.
If you are interested in covering tech, a CS minor can definitely help. Tech coverage is probably one of few groups that actually care whether you are passionate about the industry or not. You won't be using all those programming skills but you may save your MD 10min wiki time for some new hot startup/technology.
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