<p>I'm in my penultimate year now and must select a major. Basically, at my university, we can select a major which has a number of core subjects, but in addition to that we must take other 5 to 6 electives (which can also be independent from the major).</p>
<p>I was wondering because I'm a very "hands-on" and practical person who often likes to do projects also in the free time, so I'm inclined to taking Management - however I'm wondering whether that would diminish my chances in IB or Consulting. And instead I could take an Economics major and do Management-related modules as electives later on.</p>
<p>What does an IB generally prefer looking at? An Economics or Management major?</p>
<p>Haha, ignore him for now. Anyway, if those are your choices I'd certainly give the edge to Econ. Of course, IB takes people from all disciplines... but most people in the finance world look down upon management majors (this is what I have gathered).</p>
<p>What I'm wondering about is: don't IBs and [especially] Consulting firms also give a lot of value to "entrepreneurial" people, who know strategy, etc.?</p>
<p>As I said I'm a very practical and hands-on person, so I'm not sure whether my "talent" will be fostered/developed better in Management (with modules like Business strategy). </p>
<p>I do have quantitative skills, but my personal asset is going around making deals with people, getting things done, creating synergies, fulfilling business plans etc.
If there was no thing such as IB I would already become an entrepreneur and start my business/activity/non-profit/project, but since there's IB I'd like to discover some in-depth experience in the high world of finance as well.</p>
<p>I'm sure that if I do Management I'll apply the knowledge in the best possible way, whereas I'm not sure whether I could say the same for Economics.</p>
<p>This is just my personal feeling. My friends, relatives, etc. are telling me that I can do Economics now and, if I really want to do entrepreneurial stuff, to do that later, after I've established income and professional networks, and perhaps study an MBA later on.</p>
<p>But time is running out and we can't study for the rest of our lives.
Right?</p>
<p>Well, you said even if you are an Econ major, you would take many management classes anyway? If you haven't taken at least one of each yet, definitely do that. You may be surprised with what you find. Still, if you want to do IB or consulting, I'd definitely give the edge to Econ, its such a versatile discipline. You will get the chance to use all those skills you mentioned on the job. Only you can make the decision though.</p>
<p>Besides, I know alot of people who were econ or finance majors and are doing really well in a career in management consulting.......I know absolutely nobdy who majored in management and is doing investment banking</p>
<p>I'd say go for econ. The most common path for most is to be a 'specialist' first before a 'generalist'. Nobody's going to hire you as a manager right away, until you develop an expertise and specialize in a certain field (then maybe you can work your way up to be a manager). </p>
<p>Of course, it's always good to have a "big picture" scenario most of the time.</p>
<p>In consulting, maybe (just maybe) management is more important than econ. In IB, you're definitely going to have to do a lot of grunt work to be given a chance of becoming a VP/MD. For now, I would suggest do econ.</p>
<p>I don't think you'll be doing any strategy work or doing any deals fresh out of undergrad, so things that a management major is supposed to teach won't really help. Besides, I don't think you can learn how to make a deal go through by reading books.</p>
<p>Thanks again. Yeah, I'm coming to realize what you're saying.
And that's also what I think I'll ultimately choose: Economics, and later on some modules in management-related stuff.</p>
<p>Though, steevee - from what I gather our management program will be based a lot on real projects, team work, case studies/competitions, and things like that.
I don't know what I would be able to do "on my own" with what I learn from economics.</p>
<p>Any experience, ideas or suggestions to "practice" what you learn in economics also while you're still at university?</p>
<p>I'm a huge proponent of undergrads doing econ over management (even though I'm a professor in a business school). However, for your future options, ironically, I'd suggest management.</p>