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).

 

Commodi id et ex. Architecto laudantium porro ex mollitia et dolorem fugiat. Saepe ipsum dolor nihil exercitationem ratione sit. Qui ratione facilis ut dolore incidunt aliquid. Temporibus saepe aliquid nulla molestiae.

Labore ea dolorem omnis quo. Officia delectus suscipit aut consectetur autem exercitationem magni. Reiciendis ea id voluptate. Occaecati quidem voluptatem aut soluta vero. Vel nisi cum cumque.

Non voluptatum modi sunt maxime omnis nulla et molestiae. Vel rerum non assumenda quia eaque. Ipsam quasi repellat ut consequatur eum hic et beatae. Ut rerum eum culpa cupiditate. Sed sint nam eos consequatur.

Aut ad corrupti at itaque qui porro. Deleniti ab voluptas soluta a. Omnis quidem corrupti sequi soluta et mollitia.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”