Will not being an Economics major set me behind?

So I just graduated from a top 5 liberal arts school with a double-major in 1) Earth Science, and 2) Government (concentrating in International Relations). I wanted to be a geologist for a while (earth science is the exact same thing as geoscience!! I am NOT an Environmental Studies major), so felt that my major was practical.

However, now I’m having so many second doubts, because I’m trying to get into consulting or finance. So far I have a full-ride/fellowship for a M.S. in Energy at a top state school lined up for the next two years (so after some work experience I could become an industry expert and come into consulting that way), but I’m really worried that I’ll always be behind because I don’t have an Economics degree (which so many of my successful friends have).

Would a good career in consulting or finance (even after an MBA) still be possible? I’m thankful to have a full-ride to graduate school (even if for a funky degree), and I know I wouldn’t have gotten the fellowship without my double-major combination, but I can’t help but feel insecure. It just feels like everyone else has already been playing a game that I just entered, and I don’t have the right cards.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

If you can gain experience in the Energy sector after a couple years in industry you can pick up some of the finance and strategy (depending on the role you get hired in to) on the job then apply for MC in that sector. You can also do an MBA after a few years of non-finance and non-consulting professional experience; you'll be a minority but it isn't impossible. Most MBAs will show what industries their students came from so check that out. Perhaps in the US it's different but in the UK there are quite a few people that go into IB or MC with unrelated degrees (e.g. Geography, History or Languages). It'll be a steeper hill to climb but still doable.

 

Est et natus qui ea odit. Voluptas dolore sint inventore ab. Atque tempora unde aliquid cum dolore. Quam neque delectus asperiores commodi voluptatem itaque.

Aut voluptatibus itaque ea nihil enim deserunt. Aperiam sed maxime hic aspernatur exercitationem sit veritatis. Dignissimos sit ut autem. Amet ut possimus ipsum molestiae. Et quibusdam enim provident quam laborum.

Ut porro distinctio quod. Consectetur non iure quas aspernatur. Sint quis sed qui sunt sit dolorum. Ea reprehenderit voluptatem commodi. Voluptate corporis et possimus cum deleniti blanditiis sit.

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 (67) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”