Engineers - Best majors to become at analyst?

So I've seen in posted multiple times in these forums that Engineering is one of the best majors if you want to become an IB analyst. Although this might be true for BB from targets, I think at boutiques and MM this isn't true.

I am an Engineering major (+ have a minor) from a semi target, and placement for the relevant majors from my school was pretty good this year. However, I either got denied interviews because of this or would get denied after interviewing. I asked some of the guys why I wasn't getting it and its almost always because of coursework.

I just got another rejection last week from a small firm. I made the final round, and thought I had a great chance of getting it. I followed up with one of the interviewers that I thought I made a great connection with (who was also who I'd be primarily working under) asking what about my background was bad. He said I was pretty good, but they just found someone better. I'd bet my nuts that the other guy was an acc/fin/business major.

I only realized I wanted to go into finance this year. Since I failed to get an SA spot, should I go the MSF route, or should I try to get whatever I can and lateral next year? And can I even get into top MSF/FE programs with a 3.6ish gpa and ~700 GMAT?

10 Comments
 

Can't comment on the last part, but I couldn't agree more on the first part. I've specifically heard MMs that recruit at my school say that an accounting major is essentially required because they don't want to have to teach you that stuff since they don't get a ton of art history majors they have to train, it's almost all UG Bschool grads.

 

offer to work for free maybe? or get an internship during the year

or take some modeling classes/check out tuck business program if you think you need relevant skills

 
Best Response

I'm an engineering grad. PM me if you need any advise, and I'll try my best to answer any qs.

What's your major? Here are a few general pointers I can think off the top of my head. I'll edit in more if I can think of any later.

  • Take a few finance classes from you college next semester to show a legit interest in finance.
  • It helps to have a "story". (e.g.: Fast learner who is interested in finance and wants to switch from Engineering because he thinks engineering is too slow paced/not to his liking. Back up with proof of interest in finance). You really need to drive home the "fast learner" part because finance is really easy to pick up, and if they see you have potential they will give you a chance. I would be happy to share mine over PM if it helps.
  • Finance club participation with legit position to show you were really involved.
  • Find Engineering alums in Finance. I know I would go out of my way to help a fellow engineer from my college if he showed interest.
  • It's a tough economy, and there are tonnes of unemployed graduates. I wouldn't get picky on wanting just IBD, and might just seize any opportunity. Leverage your experience to get something better in the future. Otherwise, MSF is a great choice. Engineer undergrad+MSF puts you in a good position because you have proven quant+finance skills.
  • I can't comment on your upcoming summer situation because I don't know enough. Do you have engineering internships lined up atleast? Does your school have a legit finance/econ department with professors that do legit research (a research experience with them might go a long way)?
 

Thanks for your responses; I should have clarified my situation a little better.

I'm an Aerospace E, and since I have a minor too, I don't really have the room for finance classes.

I have internship experiences in PWM, and corp fin already. That is why the only internships I want to take going forward are IBD because I feel like I need to show focused interest in it.

I guess a masters is almost necessary for me... but if I only get into something like Vanderbilt can I still get into good banks? From their website it seems like placement isnt that great

 
qweretyqThanks for your responses; I should have clarified my situation a little better.

I'm an Aerospace E, and since I have a minor too, I don't really have the room for finance classes.

I have internship experiences in PWM, and corp fin already. That is why the only internships I want to take going forward are IBD because I feel like I need to show focused interest in it.

I guess a masters is almost necessary for me... but if I only get into something like Vanderbilt can I still get into good banks? From their website it seems like placement isnt that great

What financial engineering schools did you apply to ?

 

You already have some relevant finance experience, so I'm really surprised to hear that with your stats (your profile says 3.8 GPA) and finance experience you haven't been able to land any ibd gig. Have you set up any informational interviews with alums to see how you might be able to market yourself better?

At this point it might be too late for an IBD gig this summer (for your own sake, I hope I'm wrong). I might just accept what comes my way, and network extremely aggressively in the fall. I would also apply to all the schools you've listed. I think with your stats you should get into something better than Vandy.

 

Engineering is not good for finance, and that's coming from an engineer who will be working in finance. Engineering will give you problems for IBD for sure, for S&T you're in better shape

 

Velit recusandae aut rem dolorem neque. Velit fuga odit earum vitae quos. Odit veritatis ipsam repellat dicta voluptas. Aspernatur sunt dicta est qui. Est perspiciatis at reprehenderit deserunt consequatur dolore tempora. Deleniti corporis mollitia enim omnis architecto non cum nihil. Nam dolore veniam illum unde minima laudantium quia.

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 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 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 (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”