Best Undergrad Degree

I attend University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a sophomore and have decided to go towards the business route. I am interested in stocks and have recently been reading books about the stock market and find myself more interested. The only two possible directions I can go is get a BA in economics or a BS in Agriculture and Consumer Economics with a Financial Planning concentration. Which degree would be better for recruitment? I plan on getting into the finance industry and potential be a financial adviser. Even thought Agriculture and Consumer Economics has a Financial Planning concentration, I feel like many employers will be turned away by that major because who the hell wants to hire an agriculture major.I'm hoping someone here can share some stories or give me advice if this is true. If I go the economics route, I could potential double major in stats/math but possibly risk my GPA or just double minor in business and stats/math. I am just looking for opinions on what is the most beneficial degree in terms of 1.) getting a job out of college and separating myself from others 2.) getting a job in the business field or financial sector 3.) starting salary by degree 4.) better chances of getting accepted to a MBA program if I decide to go that route (I heard work experience plays a huge factor so I really want to get a good job out of college)

 

I thought U of IL had good business school? They dont offer a finance option? stick with econ, Also don't pick up the Math option unless ur good at it, it is going to f-up ur GPA. (It is good to know, but low gpa does not look good)

 
Best Response
Ihavenoclue:
I thought U of IL had good business school? They dont offer a finance option? stick with econ, Also don't pick up the Math option unless ur good at it, it is going to f-up ur GPA. (It is good to know, but low gpa does not look good)

They do but you can only transfer into the business program at the end of your freshman year. I went for engineering freshman year and had a decent GPA but did not like it and it is not what I want to do. I also have another important question? Is having a double major extremely beneficial in the business field and if so what is better with economics: math vs stats? I also have an actuarial science program here that looks really interesting (combines math/stats with finance) but I was told your limited to your career as an actuary and it's really hard.

 

You definitely don't need a Financial Planning degree to be a financial adviser. In this situation, that field is too narrow that I'm not sure where else you could apply the knowledge you'd get in undergrad to any other field, so I wouldn't pigeonhole yourself into that field with the Financial Planning degree, and go with the economics. Good luck.

 
Sexy_Like_Enrique:
wait, do u guys actually think Economics major is actually a marketable major??? Outside of banking or consulting, can Econ degree get you any good paying jobs?

I firmly believe that a finance or accounting major is much more marketable than an Econ major. And, I say this as an Econ major myself

The kid does not seem to have the option to get finance or accounting degree. I think Econ is the next best thing he got

 

Uh Majors DO matter to an extent especially when you're going to non/regional semi target. Current me if I'm wrong, but does UIUC's econ program have full access to the same on campus recruiting as the business school?

Always be improving
 
OSahead:
Uh Majors DO matter to an extent especially when you're going to non/regional semi target. Current me if I'm wrong, but does UIUC's econ program have full access to the same on campus recruiting as the business school?

I believe they do but a major in the college of business will obviously get more offers than an econ major.

 

I agree with most of these guys and you should go the econ route if that is your only option.

As for your career hopes, I think it's important to note that as a financial advisor you are more like a salesman than a portfolio analyst. So really you will only be recommending stocks to clients that are predetermined by BO/MO people.

Plus, be ready for the hundreds of cold calls a day routine.

Did you fly over my helmet?
 

when you say you want to be a financial advisor, do you mean PWM? because if so, they dont give a shit what your degree is in. They mainly care about your network of family/friends etc- how many rich (annual income > $250k) folks you know, and your soft skills. at least this was my experience when i went through the process with BAML PWM, and i imagine it is similar with other institutions.

 

Going against the consensus here but I vote for the ag and consumer Econ major. It's a BS which usually indicates that there is more math involved when compared to an Econ BA.

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