College senior seeking career advice
I am a college senior, graduating next year. I majored in mathematics and philosophy. Later in college, I decided not to go into academia and pursue finance instead. In fact I read a couple of books on option theory during college, and I loved it. I have good results from national math olympiads, so my math is really good. But the problem is that I do not want to take math courses any more and drop the math major and complete philosophy major instead. Now I am stuck with the following options:
1. Complete the math major, do a masters in math or math finance
2. Drop the math major, complete the philosophy major, take a year studying MA in philosophy and then write CFA and try to find work. corporate finance is really attractive to me
I want to get masters in either of them, but preferably in philosophy solely for the purpose of intellectual satisfaction. I know this question has been asked probably hundreds of times, but do you think the major I choose or subject I get the masters in I get matters long term? My grades are good, but I am torn apart between possibilities and don't know what to do.
I have to decide what to do by the end of the summer, so I really need help.
Thanks for your time!
Why the fuck would you ever major in philosophy?
Do #1
Yes, what you get your education in matters long term. Would be surprised if you aren't trolling with a question like that. Unless you are getting full ride scholarships or your family has a house in the Hamptons this shouldn't be too tricky. Can easily qualify for both masters programs with math undergrad, the other way not so much. Keep your doors open and "intellectually satisfy" yourself by knowing you will be employed.
wouldn't getting CFA lvl 1 show that I am mathematically competent enough already? Also, I have full college scholarship
A lot is subjective, my advice is to maximize your chances. CFA 1 isn't a silver bullet. Imagine you're the employer. Would you hire someone with an undergrad in philosophy for a quant role? If the employee you hired with a philosophy undergrad doesn't perform, who do you think will be liable for picking the unconventional hire? Do you think you can get past resume screens? Are you socially gifted? Think about next steps, only you can decide if it's worth the risk/reward.
Yes, I think it's narrow minded that hiring works this way but understand it's to minimize risk. I don't doubt you're more mathematically capable than most, but you had better craft a good story about how you're passionate about finance yet got an undergrad + masters in something unrelated. Not impossible but not easy.
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