Hey guys, I am a junior and I go to a target school...for Operations. But really, my school is a non-target, but everyone now and then we do send an analyst to a BB.
Anyways, I was wondering whether or not if my chances of landing an analyst position weighs heavily on my major. I understand that GPA is critical regardless, but consider equal GPAs, would a degree in Finance be considered "better" (in terms to getting the foot in, the recruiter wants to see, etc.) than compared to Accounting or Economics?
The reason I am asking is because I am currently an Economics major. I did take a few Finance electives, but since I am not in the Business School, they are nowhere as technical as the Finance classes that the Business School offers.
Basically, I am asking whether or not I should consider staying an extra year in college to pursue a Finance degree, as compared to graduating with just a Economics degree. I would have to stay an extra year because the business school admissions run annually, not by semester.
I am trying to weigh the opportunity costs, and would truly appreciate any insight.
Thanks for the help in advance guys, hope to get some soon.
- Will not get an interview because of my GPA
As a college senior this year, with a major in finance and accounting, I think an econ major is fine, but your interviews will probably be more technical and if you want to succeed you will have to teach yourself the accouting / valuation techniques which I assume you would not learn in econ classes. This isn't necesarily hard to do, but but you will probably be asked more technical questions than someone who majored in finance. An Econ major won't prevent you from getting an interview, but you will have to put in the time to get 2nd round interviews / offers.
At very worst, you're going to stay another year, blow thousands in tuition, and still not get a job in IB.
If you can't get a job with an econ degree, you're not going to get that same job with a finance degree. It boils down to the candidate; it sounds like you simply don't have what it takes.
Stick with econ; most kids from the Ivies are econ majors and they still get jobs. The important thing is getting interviews at first. The key is getting an in at the places you want to work at and then leverage those into interviews. Make sure you've got a great GPA, have activities on campus, and a few internships in finance if possible, especially if those involved in finance models.
BTW, don't listen to that clown Aspiring Consultant. He's got no clue whether you "have what it takes." PM me if you have more questions. I went to a definite non-target but still got a bunch of interviews and 3 BB offers. Takes more work but once you get into interviews you're on an even playing field IMHO; perhaps even have a slight edge because the interviewers know you want to work there badly enough to have worked so hard to get to the 2nd/final rounds.
Sharp intuition is what makes a person successful. I guarantee OP does not get a job in IB.
You make IB out to be rocket science. It's not. Pretty much anyone with a strong GPA at a solid school can get into banking, either right out of college or within a few years. You don't have to be a genius to do this work, it's just details details details and commitment to doing the work til 6 in the morning.
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