Hello, I'm in my freshman year in college in Hong Kong studying social sciences. Can I break into IB with my current major? If not, should I change my major now, or later when I go to graduate school? Thanks in advance!
| +42 | Thoughts on navy nuclear program | 10 | 2d |
| +42 | Lying about GPA | 23 | 11h |
| +23 | Notorious Backchanneling Recruiters & Employers | 7 | 1d |
| +15 | Should I stay in IB? | 3 | 3d |
| +12 | Non target guidance | 1 | 2d |
| +12 | This job just ain’t for me. What now? | 5 | 1d |
| +11 | Taking SIE going into college | 11 | 1d |
| +10 | Nontraditional Background Trying to Break Into Finance — What Am I Missing? | 2 | 22h |
| +9 | I need career advice | 1 | 19h |
| +9 | Where I though I'd Be by Now | 3 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
I'm not entirely sure about how IB works in HK, but I've met people in the UK who have studied degrees like theology, geography and international relations and they broke into IB at top BB banks without a problem. If you enjoy studying social sciences stay in your degree!
Hi there! Yes I don't necessarily see studying something not related to finance/economics/accounting stops someone breaking into IB. However, beside studying social science, one should also take mathematics/statistics courses I assume? Since on job qualifications I often see quantitative analytical skills are required.
To be honest I don't think IB requires a very advanced maths/stats knowledge. High school level maths is more than enough. I've never integrated or differentiated anything since I started lol. Having a basic (but accurate) understanding of stats (and when I say stats I just refer to percentages) is pretty much all you need
I think you could argue human behaviour in its social and cultural aspects gives you an understanding of how people might do things and affect the market.
I think if you are absolutely sure you want to go into IB you’d want to be doing something that show you have a genuine interest in that industry with a degree that matches or would be useful in IB, Finance, Economics, Mathematics analytical data. That sort of thing.
I have heard about people with non relavent degree getting in but you need to question how many of these people knew or had connections in the industry already. If you have connections you have a chance with what ever degree you have.
I’ll say this. If your not absolutely sure about finishing social science that’s only going to grow over the years. Better to switch if you have doubt’s about it in the long term. It depends on whether you enjoy it. 
Thanks for the reply!
I disagree, around 50% of interns study something that isn't related to finance at all these days... really don't think 50% are going to have meaningful connections.
Really it’s that high 50%, I’m quite surprised. Well I’ll admit when I’m wrong, connections are playing apart even if it’s not as high as I thought.
Thank you
Dignissimos amet maiores repellat tempore animi error minima. Earum non blanditiis ea vel et ut vel. Eum veniam ut dolores placeat sunt.
Maiores reiciendis et deserunt iusto molestiae sequi amet. Ipsam quidem sunt nam aliquam et consequatur. Odit praesentium sunt deleniti incidunt consequuntur vero dolor. Aliquid necessitatibus id ratione voluptates temporibus ex voluptatibus. Porro voluptatibus eligendi in.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...