How to achieve a career in various financial careers (Also about college majors)

<p>Hello. For a while I have been considering a career in Finance, though I am not positive which career or how to even get a job in hedge funds, private equity, etc. So here is my question, throughout all of the reading I have done on the forums here, I have decided that if I wanted to go into Investment Banking, the correct major would be accounting. That would also be good because IB is incredibly competitive and getting a job is quite rare, or so I understand, and a major in accounting would provide a solid career in accounting if IB doesn't work out. Now it comes to my minor, I believe I was leaning towards finance but I'm not quite sure why or if it is even beneficial. I thought that a minor in finance would better cut me out for a career in some of the other financial careers, not including accounting or investment banking.</p>

<p>Hidden in that text is actually a question! What is a good major/minor choice for careers in finance including Accoutning, Investment Banking, Private Equity, and Hedge Funds? Also, I have a vague idea of how you can become an Investment Banker (work in a firm as an analyst for 2 years after college, ask for assistance in going to business school, return as an associate, continue the standard job progression), but I truly have no idea how one gets a job having to due with hedge funds and private equity, I woud assume that those careers would progress after doing something like accounting or banking or something else for quite a while, then you move into those specific fields. So there is my second question, how does one get a career in either Hedge Funds or Private Equity? </p>

<p>I realize that these questions are a strech, but I really would appreciate any answer given. Thanks in advance!</p>