I’m a senior in high school about to graduate soon. I have developed an interest in working in investment banking; however, I’m not sure if I should major in. I really like math, and I been considering majoring in finance; but I have been researching good majors for careers in investment banking and I seem a lot about Economics and other majors. So what do you think would be a good major for me? Also, could you explain to me what I would be study within that major.
P.S. I thought about majoring in Computer Science and Business Adminstration.
P.P.S. I know there is a recruiting process for IB; however, I plan on going to Hampton University. IBs normally recruit students from Ivy League schools, but do they even consider recruiting students from HBCUs or even schools like University of Maryland?
I would suggest you major in Finance, that will cover things like financial modeling, fixed income securities, Investments, financial markets and institutions, etc. The finance major will cover whatever math is required, so no need to major in math. Econ, will be a fine major also, I just think for your goals, finance is better. Plus finance gives you the ability to understand how to manage your own future income…that knowledge is with you for life. Don’t laugh, a lot of otherwise smart people, can’t manage their own money.
How do you feel about getting an MBA? If you do well in college, you can apply for grad school at one of those Ivy leagues or schools that the IB’s recruit from.
IB jobs are few and far between so don’t make your entire college career about getting an IB job. And there is no need to decide on a major now. I strongly suggest you start college, take business classes in different disciplines (ex. accounting, IT, finance etc.) and see where your interests and aptitudes lie.
IB firms also recruit from prestigious undergraduate schools such as UC Berkeley. You can be an economics major with a minor in math and get hired by a firm like Goldman Sachs. You would go through intensive training. Goldman takes the cream of the crop. It is difficult to get those positions. Other big firms like JP Morgan, Blackrock are the same too.