Will being an Economics major (NON BUSINESS SCHOOL) hurt me for IB recruiting?

Right now I'm an econ major at UT Austin (Semi-target), which unfortunately means as I apply to IB roles I won't have the McCombs Business School on my resume. How much will this hurt me? Will it imply to recruiters that I wasn't good enough to get into McCombs and I'll be rejected from interviews purely for that? I'm in business clubs rn (business frat, investing team) and will try to join more next semester, if that compensates for anything as club recruiting is pretty competitive here. Just wondering how much this hurts me when recruiting, and before anyone asks, yes I am planning to transfer into the business school but that will only kick in next year if I'm successful, so IB recruiting will already have been finished.

4 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, here's what you need to know:

  1. Recruiting and Major:

    • Being an Economics major at UT Austin, even if not from McCombs, does not automatically disqualify you from IB recruiting. While McCombs has a stronger reputation and network for IB, your major alone won't be the sole determinant of your success in recruiting.
  2. Networking and Clubs:

    • Your involvement in business clubs (business fraternity, investing team) is a significant advantage. These clubs often serve as major pipelines for recruiting, as they attract driven students with strong interests in banking and provide ample networking opportunities.
    • Networking aggressively and leveraging the alumni network can compensate for not being in McCombs. Many successful candidates from non-business majors have secured IB roles through diligent networking and participation in relevant clubs.
  3. Perception and Competitiveness:

    • Recruiters may not necessarily view your non-McCombs status as a negative reflection on your abilities. Demonstrating strong involvement in competitive business clubs and showcasing relevant skills and experiences on your resume can mitigate any potential concerns.
    • Transferring into the business school next year is a good plan, but focus on making the most of your current opportunities to build a strong profile for recruiting.
  4. Examples from Other Schools:

    • Similar situations at other schools, such as UMich, show that non-business majors can succeed in IB recruiting if they network aggressively and participate in finance-related clubs and events. The key is preparation and leveraging available resources.

In summary, while being an Economics major outside of McCombs might present some challenges, your active participation in business clubs and strategic networking can significantly enhance your chances in IB recruiting. Keep building your resume and connections, and don't be discouraged by your current major.

Sources: Rice University vs. UT Austin McCombs Undergraduate, UMich Undergrad For IB Recruiting, UMich Undergrad For IB Recruiting, UC Berkeley Undergrad for IB Recruiting, University of Chicago Economics Major

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I think you’re wasting your time asking this question. Obviously it is ideal to be in McCombs, but people with almost every single major from English to biology break into this industry.

 
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I'm at Mich/NYU majoring in economics and got interviews at Barclays, Citi, Evercore, Solomon Partners, General Atlantic, and more. I'm not an outlier case either. I know plenty of other kids who landed interviews and offers at places like J.P. Morgan, Evercore, and a lot of MM banks. As long as you can prove that you're genuinely interested in finance, don't worry too much about it. Also, you can use it as an opportunity to differentiate yourself from the herd and be seen as a more interesting person by getting involved in more activities and coursework outside of just business and applied Econ. Just follow the typical advice of networking, 3.7+ GPA, and demonstrated interest through relevant internships and on-campus involvement. 

 

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