Should i do geology + business dual degree to break into Metal and Mining investment banking

or is it overkill – should i just do business?

Ignore time related, and GPA impact, and $ focus only on the idea of will this make me more competitieve for metals and mining or does it seriously not matter at all?

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22 Comments
 

Yes it will help but probs not as much as you think. It will be good for your story and maybe what you have been following but still need to know everything else. 

 

Would not recommend. As someone before me commented: it would help your story. That's pretty much it. There is no real technical advantage as you will be able to learn any industry specifics on the job. In fact, I believe it puts you at a slight disadvantage versus those with a focused business degree. Most importantly, you should be open to other sectors too as your preferences might change during your studies. I believe that a geology degree will trap you mentally in the M&M sector which is an unnecessary restriction

 

Yes — very good for the story. Not many people have a particular interest in M&M and studying Geology would definitely boost your story as to why M&M or even Natural Resources generally. Also, if you're genuinely interested in geology you should study it. College is more than just recruiting ...

 

Makes sense, M&M would def be my to choice but I would also recruit for other sectors like HC do you think i would be disadvantaged compared to people doing only buisness cuz the geology would be kinda random? 

I want to go full force in M&M but also dont want to be limited if that makes sense 

 

I don't see how studying geology would ding you during recruiting. If anything, it makes you more interesting vs people who only study business.

 

carstenszcap

Yes — very good for the story. Not many people have a particular interest in M&M and studying Geology would definitely boost your story as to why M&M or even Natural Resources generally. Also, if you're genuinely interested in geology you should study it. College is more than just recruiting ...

Totally agree with this. It is an interesting field of study and technical. There is no downside if you like it. You'd still need to learn the standard IB stuff, but if you are smart enough to do geology, you can figure that out. My next door neighbor is a PhD geophysicist (slightly different, which I get). He is now a very senior systems engineer at Google dealing with big data, which he seems to love, so there are a few paths. He also makes over 7 figures. 

 

Metals & Mining banker here: Yes, geology would help. Mining engineering would be best though since it will have geology, chemistry, and engineering classes. Covers pretty much all the bases.

If you look at most of the metals & mining bankers and PE people it’s extremely common to see a technical degree on its own, or a technical degree and an MBA.

The school will be the tricky part. Colorado School of Mines is # 1 for mining, but doesn’t have business programs. If you’re Canadian: McGill, UBC, Toronto, are strong mining engineering programs/business programs.

 

Ah, if so then I would. I have a "quirky" major alongside my traditional finance one because I genuinely enjoy it, and it helps a ton with just breaking ice. Cant imagine why it wouldnt help with placement

 

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