Does nobody in finance think of economics as anything but another business/finance major?

I'm an econ major graduating next month (top LAC) and I feel like none of what I've studied is relevant to actual work in finance, but finance interviewers constantly approach me as if I've got all this knowledge of finance and business (and I don't have any internships). I get interviews from most of the firms I blindly send resumes to online. Should I remove my major from my resume? I feel like I'm misrepresenting myself because all I've studied is abstract math and proofs, but employers assume something completely different.

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Best Response
LACconsultant

My issue is that none of the courses have finance content in them, which I'm afraid firms expect to be there.

There are resources outside of the classroom. Like say, the WSO interview guides. You need to prepare for your interviews. If you expect you want to work in finance, you'll have to learn some finance first. All of us who were Econ majors who work/have worked in finance(myself included) have done this. Nothing most firms ask will be terribly complicated, just enough to show that you did a little preparation.

Honestly, your mentality of "I can't believe finance jobs want me, an econ major, to know a little finance" is the type of mentality that will hold you back from being successful in your career, whatever you do. Put in a little work and you'll be fine.

 

Oh mah gawd, you must be like the first person to realize that the shit you learn in school may not be relevant to the jobs you're applying to. Please, continue to do nothing about it. Do not prepare for the interviews and refuse to do any extra work. You're above that shit and if the employers can't tell economics has nothing to do with finance...well fuck them for being so stupid and questioning you on topics you know nothing about.

Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
 

They assume you know some finance/accounting, or else why would you have even applied. And although econ and finance aren't exactly the same, there are many aspects of econ that overlap with finance. I'm sure your econ courses have covered finance related topics such as bonds and interest rates. If not, then I really question your school's econ program... So given the overlaps, interviewers are probably under the impression that you know a lot more finance/accounting than an English major. Also, you're expected to self study a bit because you're supposedly interested in finance.

 

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