Hello,
I have been contemplating working for hedge funds and in investment banking. I feel like I could do quite well as I already have a grasp on some things related. However I’m unsure what majors would be needed I’m just curious.I know once I’m done I want to go and get an MBA so I will be able to succeed more. What majors should I think about? Here’s some I have been contemplating:
Finance and economics double major
Finance major economics minor
Economics major finance minor
Economics and Statistics double major
Economics bachelors statistics minor
Economics major with a BA with a focus on finance major (as my dream school doesn’t have just finance)
I am not the best at math I have an A- but mostly because you can redo tests on which I normally flunk. I know once you get into the finance sector it’s not as complicated and confusing. What major would you guys think, it doesn’t have to be from the ones I listed. I would also like one that will be well rounded so I can get many jobs in the financial industry
Honestly, you could major in anything and go into hedge funds or investment banking, particularly if you want an MBA. What’s most important in that field seems to be quantitative facility and/or attending a top-ranked/elite undergraduate institution (as well as a top MBA program, once you do that).
Any of the majors (or combinations of majors) that you proposed is fine for that - you just want to make sure you take a lot of math and statistics classes and get really good at quantitative analysis in finance, because that will set you apart. I would probably choose either economics or finance as the major and then minor in, or double-major if you want, in statistics. (My personal choice would be economics, as a social scientist at heart who thinks it has broad applications, but that’s personal preference.) Take some classes in computer programming too - it’ll be good to learn a language and maybe the beginnings of some big data analysis and management.
@juillet Okay thanks, my dream school, UW, doesn’t provide just a finance major you can only focus on it with a BA degree and UW provides both economics and statistics. So that seems like it would be good ill definitely look into it. I’m not the best at math so economics seems good. Could I get other finance jobs though too like an actuary job or financial advisor or CFO with an economics major?
Yes, in theory.
If you aren’t that great at math, then being an actuary might not appeal to you. Actuaries have to use a lot of math in their jobs, and thus they have to take a lot of advanced math classes. You also have to pass a series of exams, all of which have math on them. Many actuaries who don’t major in actuarial science were math or statistics majors in college. You could also major in finance or economics, but you’d have to be sure to take all of the recommended advanced math. Check out BeAnActuary.com for more information.
Similarly, as a financial advisor there’s some higher-level math you’d need to know. So you could do that with an econ major if you took the necessary math.
You can be a CFO with any major - you have to work your way up there by starting at other finance positions. So an econ or finance major would benefit you there.
Hi I’m new to college confidential and wasn’t sure what thread to post this in.
I just got accepted to Barrett ASU under a biological sciences major in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I want to be Pre-med but want to choose a major that I’ll enjoy and will provide me an alternate, high-paying, enjoyable career if med school doesn’t work out. I really like economics and was wondering:
- Is Economics a good major for pre-med?
- Should I choose the economics major in the W. P. Carey school of business bc of alumni and job networks or pursue the economics major in the liberal arts and sciences college?
- Should I double major or minor in biology in addition to Econ to be better prepared for the MCAT/ Med school?
@flatironthoughts First, to post a thread go to the topic, like college majors then click the orange new discussion button and fill out the info.
Now to answer your questions:
- Economics will not prepare you for medical school and is not a good major, biology and other science majors are
- See question 1 answer
- You could do a major in biology and a double major or minor in Econ. You just need a science major