Industrial Engineering student - need advice

mjmoriel

Hi,

I am a sophomore Industrial Engineering (IE) student at Northeastern University and am thinking about switching majors to finance. I've always had an interest in business and finance, but started with IE to differentiate myself from all the other drones majoring in BA nowadays. I know that I want to go into finance (IB, PE, maybe Consulting) after graduation and would probably not even try for any engineering positions.

My questions:
1. Is having an engineering degree really going to set me apart from other finance and business majors?
2. Would you recommend staying with IE even though I don't like it / will never use the degree?
3. If I were to switch, would I be too late in the game to get enough business classes in to be able to land IB internships or a summer analyst position?

Any response would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm in IE who graduated from a Southeastern school and work at a BB.

1. It will help set you apart with some people, but will cause some to second-guess why you're interviewing at X firm. Though I'm obviously biased, engineers have 2x as much value to add to a company than finance majors. Sure it will take a little while to become acquainted with the basics of finance (if you don't already have experience), but the way you think will bring fresh insight to the group.

2. I would recommend staying with it, even though you'll have a harder time with things all the way around. I believe it made me a more well-rounded individual. It also helps when upper management recognizes the importance of an engineering background and gives you a 1 UP b/c of it.

3. It may take you an extra semester or two, depending on which classes (core or major-related) you've already taken.