<p>Right now I am a sophomore and I am deciding what to do. I have my dad, an ECE prof, telling me to do OR because ECE jobs are running out and I have my mom telling me to do a more technical degree like ECE or Mat Sci. She says I can always get an M.Eng in financial engineering. On one hand, I can see myself getting into the finance industry quicker with a ORIE degree. On the other hand, I see myself benefiting in analyst position for some financial company with a technical degree because I can evaluate some technologies better. I would also be able to do more I think with a technical degree after banking or something else. What advice do you have?</p>
<p>Do what you want to do, and not what your parents want you to do.</p>
<p>You may think that quants are always going to be in demand, but with the whole subprime effecting wall street how many of them you think will be looking for work now that their precious IBanking venture has hit the wall?</p>
<p>If you can't decide between business/finance and engineering/hard science look at the combine MS/MBA programs they have for graduate studies and/or early start programs for MBA. Also, keep in mind, that regardless of your undergrad that you will most likely need a masters in something in order to make a real impact on the business world no matter which field you are in. That is why I suggest the MBA or, if you really like the analyst idea, maybe a Masters in Finance.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>