What's the best background to have?

Other than majoring in finance or what not, what do you think is a valuable subject to minor in? I was thinking possibly taking some environmental studies classes since the renewable energy is booming and likely will only increase in potential over the course of time.

What does everyone else think?

15 Comments
 

That's a good question. So many students make such a big deal about picking a 'minor' but I've yet to see an employer or graduate school or anyone else who actually takes a 'minor' into consideration for anything at all.

 

Lol, interesting responses everyone. Although I think that if you know a language well enough to minor in it and go abroad, then there's really no need to minor in it haha.

 

Nobody gives a crap about a minor. Double major? Probably looks favorable, but it's not going to suddenly vault you to the top of the resume pile. If you want to minor in something, pick something you enjoy. History, psych, foreign language, bio, whatever. You can talk about that as an outside interest from finance, and if you do something like bio or chem, it might even be a bit helpful in placing into a healthcare group (though I doubt it will be a make or break thing).

 

Similique quae aperiam laboriosam. Sequi in dolore at accusamus. Sapiente dicta numquam reprehenderit et.

Blanditiis possimus culpa sit possimus. Iusto assumenda exercitationem inventore pariatur aperiam voluptas ad. Dolorem unde quidem magni omnis veritatis tempora et. Et quia provident itaque sunt consequatur.

Cumque quia fugiat quo culpa quod aut dolorum. Inventore enim enim consequatur sed autem. Inventore quidem aut distinctio.

-- Support WSO.com and visit these links! Financial Modeling Training Guide to Finance Interviews

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”