Breaking into finance with BA in International Studies-Poli Sci/Econ & Minor in Finance?

Hello all,

I go to a non-target school (UCSD) and am currently a junior. I'm majoring in International Studies with emphasis in Poli/Sci Economics, and a minor in Finance. So basically my coursework comprises of classes in economics, political science, and finance (with 8 units of calculus) - all of which I've listed on my resume.

I was wondering how many of you professionals there are in the field with similar undergraduate degrees? My school does not offer a business or finance major, therefore I've taken as many applied courses as possible through taking my minor in business-finance.

In addition to my degree, I have had recent internship experience at a PWM firm, and I'm an incoming corporate finance intern at Bechtel co. for this summer. In addition to this, I have been a varsity collegiate athlete for the last three years.

I am trying to see how "employable" someone like me is in the industry. I am looking forward to interning in corporate finance this summer, but I'm also considering looking into i-banking, consulting, or Asset Management in the future. I have always been interested in I-banking, and happen to be currently taking a hands-on course in IB for my finance minor).

Also on my horizons is getting an MBA, CFA, and/or licensed up several years after graduation, if that would effect my employ-ability at all.

Would appreciate any feedback, tips or suggestions that you all may have.

Thanks!

8 Comments
 

im not sure i would called UCSD a complete non target positive some regional banks, or maybe even BB operations in SD come to recruit a few people at your school

anyway, yes it's completely possible to break in with your degree there are people in finance who have studied a wide variety of things: while it is mostly economics or finance, it can range from computer science to east asian studies- even philosophy and english has some representation

most important thing is that you do well, try to find internships, and build a good network

.
 
Best Response
matayo

im not sure i would called UCSD a complete non target
positive some regional banks, or maybe even BB operations in SD come to recruit a few people at your school

anyway, yes it's completely possible to break in with your degree
there are people in finance who have studied a wide variety of things: while it is mostly economics or finance, it can range from computer science to east asian studies- even philosophy and english has some representation

most important thing is that you do well, try to find internships, and build a good network

UCSD is a great school but unfortunately, I think it does qualify as a non target with very very little if any IBD recruitment. Hit up W partners, pretty solid looking boutique from what I could tell.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Like noted earlier, I have already secured a corporate finance internship for the summer, as well as PWM intenrship from last fall. My only real concern in all of this is long term employ-ability - say if I decide to a leave a firm - will it be much harder for me to find a job somewhere else?

Also, do BB's or prestigious boutique firms consider one's coursework outside of their major? I have seen quite a few boutiques with MD's and associates who majored in things such as history, poli sci, etc.. but most/all of them came from Ivy's...and my degree will be from UCSD.

My biggest thing was this - I knew that I could achieve a far better GPA with International Studies: Poli Sci/Econ major opposed to the pure Econ B.A or Management Science B.S (econ but with engineer track math).

Besides, I really do enjoy the political economy, international trade, and other internationally-focused econ classes opposed to the purely quantitative econ courses.

MonkeyInSchool matayo:

im not sure i would called UCSD a complete non target
positive some regional banks, or maybe even BB operations in SD come to recruit a few people at your school

anyway, yes it's completely possible to break in with your degree
there are people in finance who have studied a wide variety of things: while it is mostly economics or finance, it can range from computer science to east asian studies- even philosophy and english has some representation

most important thing is that you do well, try to find internships, and build a good network

UCSD is a great school but unfortunately, I think it does qualify as a non target with very very little if any IBD recruitment. Hit up W partners, pretty solid looking boutique from what I could tell.

Interesting...they're only a block from my condo..

 
norcal505

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Like noted earlier, I have already secured a corporate finance internship for the summer, as well as PWM intenrship from last fall. My only real concern in all of this is *long term* employ-ability - say if I decide to a leave a firm - will it be much harder for me to find a job somewhere else?

Also, do BB's or prestigious boutique firms consider one's coursework outside of their major?
I have seen quite a few boutiques with MD's and associates who majored in things such as history, poli sci, etc.. but most/all of them came from Ivy's...and my degree will be from UCSD.

My biggest thing was this - I knew that I could achieve a far better GPA with International Studies: Poli Sci/Econ major opposed to the pure Econ B.A or Management Science B.S (econ but with engineer track math).

Besides, I really do enjoy the political economy, international trade, and other internationally-focused econ classes opposed to the purely quantitative econ courses.

MonkeyInSchool: matayo:

im not sure i would called UCSD a complete non target
positive some regional banks, or maybe even BB operations in SD come to recruit a few people at your school

anyway, yes it's completely possible to break in with your degree
there are people in finance who have studied a wide variety of things: while it is mostly economics or finance, it can range from computer science to east asian studies- even philosophy and english has some representation

most important thing is that you do well, try to find internships, and build a good network

UCSD is a great school but unfortunately, I think it does qualify as a non target with very very little if any IBD recruitment. Hit up W partners, pretty solid looking boutique from what I could tell.

Interesting...they're only a block from my condo..

Haha I think I know your condo complex. Solid area to live. I can pm you with one of the guys email if you'd like
 

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