<p>I'm currently a frosh at MIT, trying to decide what to do with my life. After extensive search, I realized that quite a lot of top school grads (HYPSM) end up in consulting firms, ibanking jobs even though their degrees were in engineering. As an example, I know at least 2 seniors who are current course 6-2 (EECS) at MIT, who are next year going to work for JP Morgan, and many more going to McKinsey/Booz Allen hamilton/ etc..</p>
<p>Hence I was wondering, how do they do it? What background does one usually need to be able to achieve such feat? I have always considered myself a math/science dude, but i'm willing to consider alternative career paths, if such paths end up beneficial to me.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If I become an EECS major, what supplemental background in business/management/economics should I get in order to stay competitive to be employed by such firms?</p></li>
<li><p>If I don't become an EECS major, what other majors will give me a necessary background to be successful at getting employed by top consulting firms?</p></li>
<li><p>What courses should I supplement my engineering background with? (for example, get a minor from sloan/economics minor?)</p></li>
<li><p>How likely is it for me to get employed by such firms with only an engineering background, if I maintain a decent GPA?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Coming from a Target school such as MIT means that your major isn’t nearly as important as attending the school and maintaining a strong GPA (think 3.5+). That said, an engineering major would definitely be a great fit for any tech-focused firms or groups, power groups, and others. Additionally, engineering is a difficult major and an analytical one that requires attention to detail - this also shows favorably to recruiters. </p>
<p>Regarding other things to do, I would recommend that you join clubs, and try to take on leadership positions - think of business clubs, such as a Finance club, investment banking club, or private equity club to show your interest in the field. Next, be able to connect your major and the skills necessary to succeed in it with “why banking,” in other words, back up your interest in your major, but also your interest in IB and clearly express why IB is for you. Also, look for business internships, even if unpaid, considering you are a freshman, as you go to build some experience. As you move into your soph and junior years, you can begin reaching out to your network and make contacts to support you for both summer analyst internships, and then, ultimately, full time positions before graduating. </p>
<p>Regarding coursework, I would recommend a few accounting and finance courses, if possible, as they will further show your interest in the field and provide validity to your interest in the profession. </p>
<p>If you have further questions, PM me or email me - I’d be happy to help.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, would there be any advantage (in terms of recruiting) for MIT Sloan students over other departments (since this would show an even stronger interest in business/finance)?</p>
<p>Absolutely, but if you have no interest in majoring in the subject, or are more interested in pursuing another subject before going for banking, you have that freedom in a full target school (as opposed to some semi-targets, such as Stern, where Stern is clearly the semi-target of the schools at NYU). If you are interested in going for a dual major, or want to minor in a business subject, or major, I would go for either finance or accounting. At the very least I would recommend a few acct.and fin. courses - majoring in one of the disciplines at MIT is not necessary to break in. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me or shoot me an email.</p>