College senior seeking career advice

I am a college senior, graduating next year. I majored in mathematics and philosophy. Later in college, I decided not to go into academia and pursue finance instead. In fact I read a couple of books on option theory during college, and I loved it. I have good results from national math olympiads, so my math is really good. But the problem is that I do not want to take math courses any more and drop the math major and complete philosophy major instead. Now I am stuck with the following options: 1. Complete the math major, do a masters in math or math finance 2. Drop the math major, complete the philosophy major, take a year studying MA in philosophy and then write CFA and try to find work. corporate finance is really attractive to me I want to get masters in either of them, but preferably in philosophy solely for the purpose of intellectual satisfaction. I know this question has been asked probably hundreds of times, but do you think the major I choose or subject I get the masters in I get matters long term? My grades are good, but I am torn apart between possibilities and don't know what to do.

I have to decide what to do by the end of the summer, so I really need help.

Thanks for your time!

5 Comments
 
"Pokerplayer311" I want to get masters in either of them, but preferably in philosophy solely for the purpose of intellectual satisfaction.

do you think the major I choose or subject I get the masters in I get matters long term?

Yes, what you get your education in matters long term. Would be surprised if you aren't trolling with a question like that. Unless you are getting full ride scholarships or your family has a house in the Hamptons this shouldn't be too tricky. Can easily qualify for both masters programs with math undergrad, the other way not so much. Keep your doors open and "intellectually satisfy" yourself by knowing you will be employed.

Just had my trade dispute rejected by Schwab for a loss of 35k. This single issue alone should be a gigantic red flag to anyone who trades on their platform. If they have a system error, and you do not video record your trading (they actually said this), they will not honour their fuck up. Switching everything away from them. Fuck this company.
 
Best Response

A lot is subjective, my advice is to maximize your chances. CFA 1 isn't a silver bullet. Imagine you're the employer. Would you hire someone with an undergrad in philosophy for a quant role? If the employee you hired with a philosophy undergrad doesn't perform, who do you think will be liable for picking the unconventional hire? Do you think you can get past resume screens? Are you socially gifted? Think about next steps, only you can decide if it's worth the risk/reward.

Yes, I think it's narrow minded that hiring works this way but understand it's to minimize risk. I don't doubt you're more mathematically capable than most, but you had better craft a good story about how you're passionate about finance yet got an undergrad + masters in something unrelated. Not impossible but not easy.

Just had my trade dispute rejected by Schwab for a loss of 35k. This single issue alone should be a gigantic red flag to anyone who trades on their platform. If they have a system error, and you do not video record your trading (they actually said this), they will not honour their fuck up. Switching everything away from them. Fuck this company.
 

Maxime dolores iste ex facilis necessitatibus. Et unde vel illum accusamus earum. Cupiditate cumque a aliquam exercitationem voluptatem ut. Blanditiis inventore est magnam assumenda accusamus voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”