Graduating in two weeks, want to change major to Finance. Second BA or MS?

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I'm graduating from a college on the East Coast in two weeks in film and television. Now that I'm applying for jobs -- and having completed multiple internships in the past -- I'm starting to achieve clarity and realize this isn't for me. Although it does suck that I'm realizing it now, people have realizations all throughout life so I'm not going to let it get to me too much.</p>

<p>I'm considering business/finance. That said, I didn't take one business class in college. My GPA is okay (3.4 from my first school, about 3.7 from my second). I have interesting job and internship experience, but entertainment industry related. Should I apply for a second BA in business/finance at another school or should I take the GRE and apply to an MS in Finance program somewhere? Do I have a higher chance at interning/working with an investment bank with a second bachelor's or an MS in Finance, without any prior experience?</p>

<p>Some people say go for the MS because of finances, but my father works at an accredited institution that will help contribute to yearly tuition. Also, others say not to go back to any because it's all about who you know.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,
Iguana</p>

<p>You would have to take the GMAT, not the GRE, for a Masters in Finance.
Without at least basic courses in Accounting and Finance, jumping right into a Masters (assuming you do well on the GMAT) would be very difficult.<br>
Most colleges will allow you to take a certain number of courses before matriculating. Or you can go the Coursera route and take some courses there first. But before you dive in to another degree, I would suggest you take Accounting I and II and Introduction to Finance at the very least to see if this is a field you want to pursue. </p>

<p>Why don’t you just try to get a job in the business/finance side of film and television? I’ve seen resumes of people who broke into investment banking, and these were very focused students – exceptional numerical skills demonstrated with a wide range of majors (from engineering to finance and other majors), with summer internships in banking, and with degrees from prestigious universities like MIT. Investment banking will be difficult to enter, and it’s a very difficult field to work in with high burnout rate – most people don’t survive to make a fortune off of it. A friend of mine had a degree in film and went to work in the contracts department of a major film company, working on deals buying rights to movies in other countries. You can bet there are also “finance” departments at film companies and TV stations. I would try the business side of film/TV before going after another degree, in a field that you also might not like once you complete several internships in it. Work is work, after all.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses already, guys.</p>

<p>I would definitely consider breaking into the financial side of the industry. That said, they mostly hire people with degrees in finance. It’s a big catch 22; the industry is filled to the brim with employees that even those with lots of experience like myself won’t get a job when it comes to graduation. I’ve applied to hundreds yet have’t had luck. I feel like another degree would give me better job outlook.</p>

<p>Look into Tuck Summer Finance Certificate. I think Im correct about the name, its at Dartmouth. Cornell does one as well during the summer and so I believe does Princeton. So does Vandy, but I wouldn’t think their job placement is as good.Those are the most important classes that you will need to break into finance. If you did not miss the deadline to get into any of these programs (the dartmouth one is the best), and if time and money is not a consideration, see if you can postpone your graduation till next year same time, do the finance program, apply for jobs in the financial industry (these programs help you how) and possibly supplement next fall with more business related classes. Then your resume should reflect your 3.7 gap, your Finance certificate and a BA. You’ll be golden.</p>