Admitted to Columbia QMSS - will it help me get macro research jobs?

My goal is to work in a macroeconomic research job, either in FICC or at the IMF or Fed. 

I went to a non-target school and I previously worked for a hedge fund broker doing value-oriented research (not macro). I know Python and SQL well. I have a genuine interest in macroeconomics - most of the books I read are related to macro. 

I was admitted to the QMSS program at Columbia: https://qmss.columbia.edu/degree-requirements My plan is to complete either the Data Science track or the Economics track. Here is the placement per the University: https://www.qmss.columbia.edu/employment-placemen…;

However, when I search on Linkedin, I can't find many people with this degree at banks. Only a few people show up.  And now, I'm beginning to think that this program really is a "cash cow" program: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/columbia/comments/m6mxsb…;
https://www.reddit.com/r/columbia/comments/http29…

What are my chances of making it to a macro desk with my background? Will this program help or is it true that if I didn't go to undergrad Ivy League program that I will always be second-rate? 

2 Comments
 
 

Et est fugit accusamus eos qui magnam iste. Est asperiores voluptas dolor et incidunt perspiciatis. Doloribus rerum nulla sequi sed.

Est dignissimos placeat velit eaque. Sunt et inventore nihil aspernatur. Nam quae aut et doloremque ad rem. Adipisci consequatur facilis dolor.

Accusamus voluptatem eum laudantium et rerum. Magni quia esse hic quod veritatis recusandae. Unde omnis necessitatibus qui et. Aspernatur exercitationem dicta alias sit repudiandae. Expedita reiciendis exercitationem ut vel qui architecto quos nisi.

Vel sed cupiditate distinctio nobis odit autem quas. Doloribus dignissimos assumenda earum. Nulla adipisci laboriosam veritatis cum ut error. Ab possimus ut et fugiat fugiat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”