Columbia Masters in Sociology
I'm extremely interested in sociology and am finance-accounting undergrad at a semi-target.
If I got into Columbia to complete a masters in sociology, would this help me or hurt me if I wanted to go into the investment management space?
Would the Columbia name, even if it's not for a business degree, help me eventually get into a good MBA?
No, this would not help you, especially since many people perceive Sociology to be a very fluffy subject. It would only help for b-school if it gets you a good job, and I don't think it would.
I can see how getting a degree in international relations, political science, or some type of area studies can be pitched for working in finance (though it would still be inferior to an MBA or masters in econ/finance/etc) but Sociology seems to be not only irrelevant but enough to hurt you.
Thanks Hayek, I appreciate it.
Anyone else?
I think it's a bad idea. Many graduate schools at top universities are cash cows. The really good Columbia schools for financial services recruitment are SIPA, CBS, and CLS. Even the top financial engineering program and the financial mathematics masters are poorly recruited. I would get a job and work before I pursued a masters degree, and even then it would not be in sociology.
There are only 4 schools where you MIGHT be able to get away with this, but I would strongly suggest some sort of of relevant minor: Harvard, Stanford, Yale & Princeton...
I've met Harvard philosophy majors on derivatives desks. But then again, that was pre-Lehman. The world is very different now...
To your point, I know of an MD here in Toronto who was an Art History major at Princeton.
Philosophy majors are another beast than sociology; I may even suggest that philosophy majors (at top 20 schools) are viewed like Math majors. They often come with the flexibility and the analytical tools needed to succeed. And yes, they did not do philosophy to enter the financial services, they just happen to have what is needed to succeed.
For your question, I would not suggest it. You would be better off getting your MBA at smaller brand name school.
If you're interested in sociology, just study it in your free time. No need to get a degree.
Philosophy majors are a lot better off then sociology. Masters is no different/better
Yeah I have a lot of respect for philosophy. It really trains you how to think, much like math. Took a course on modern symbolic logic, and that shit was quite challenging.
Oh hell yea, and even the stuff outside of logic is really challenging (and often dry, which makes a 3.5 gpa philosophy major even more impressive to me). You learn to read, analyse, and write very well.
manbearpig and DM, any good philosophy reading recommendations? I'd be interested in challenging myself and studying some of the stuff you guys are referring to.
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