<p>Hi everyone! Currently, I'm a rising sophomore Computer Science major at Virginia Tech. I'm also pursuing a minor in Economics and most likely Applied Mathematics MAJOR as well. Currently, I have an internship with a computer science company that specializes in producing software for clients using artificial intelligence technologies. While this is interesting to me, I ultimately want to work with the business end of things. I absolutely love economics and finance (as well as my major, computer science). </p>
<p>Since I have a love for both the technical field and the business field, I’m deciding to major in computer science and pursue either an MBA or Masters in Finance from a top school after I get a few years under my belt in the work field. Once I complete that degree, I assume that is when I would move onto the (almost) strictly the business side of things. </p>
<p>My “dream” would be to work for a company in New York like big IB firms and banks or some kind of management of a technical company. I’m not quite sure really, but essentially I would thoroughly enjoy working at big IB firms (Wall Street) OR a technical company, as long as I am on the management/business side of things. I would consider myself very ambitious, and would want a job I can “climb the ranks.” Starting my own company and becoming an entrepreneur is definitely something I would enjoy as well. </p>
<p>I realize I cannot enter into the big firms in New York or similar companies with just a computer science degree from Virginia Tech. I would assume I’ll need either the MBA or MiF from a top school, as I mentioned earlier. </p>
<p>So, MY QUESTION: What would be the “best” way to achieve my “dream” or plan? (I know “dream” sounds very cheesy, haha) . Really, the variables are what major/minor I purse as an undergrad, what internships I try to get, graduate school, etc.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard:
You can get into IB with a CS degree (in fact, it will be looked favorably upon). You can get into consulting (McKinsey, etc…) with a CS degree.
You would need relevant extracurriculars and internships, though. IB/consulting firms usually have summer analyst positions for juniors; you can apply for those.</p>
<p>However, why CS if all you want to do is go do finance, and never do software work ever again? If you actually want to be a tech entrepreneur or something, IB certainly won’t help very much with that; consulting will help somewhat.</p>
<p>1) I did hear that some CS majors go into IB firms sometimes – but is that to do the technical coding just as they were working for any other company or is that to actually work as an investment banker or financial analyst?</p>
<p>2) Yes, I realize internships and EC’s would help greatly. Without having connections, how would you reccomend me going to getting an internship as a CS and Finance double major? I believe I am in an odd situation because I’m at a non target school for IB, but I have a CS degree coming from a very respected CS university.</p>
<p>3) And the reason I am in CS is because I very strongly love CS and I think it will, eventually, prove to be helpful to me. For example, when I apply to MBA programs and have a solid CS degree from a solid university, I think that will be looked more favorably upon that a Finance degree from Virginia Tech, since they are not known for that at all. So basically it’s because I’m at VT and CS is a much better known major here than Finance – That’s why I’m going to do both. By doing this route, my plan would be to work in a CS job out of college, go to MBA school, then enter IB or similar jobs. But, of course, if I could get into IB or similar jobs WITHOUT going to MBA school first, I would rather do that – I just think it’d be rather hard coming from my current university.</p>
<p>So I guess my follow up question is what do you think of the approach that I outlined in number 3? And Also, is there any guide or anything to get internships with these IB companies without going to a target school? I am a very hard worker and am willing to put in the time and effort to obtain one of these internships.</p>
<p>So you’re ultimate goal is IB? Not software?</p>
<p>Again, from what I’ve heard:
IB’s hire people into analyst positions from ANY major, as long as you are very intelligent and analytical.
CS majors get hired either as normal analysts, or they have the option of doing (but are not pigenholed into doing) quantitative/algorithmic finance (this can be tougher to get than normal analyst jobs).</p>
<p>2) See what your career office has. See if there are any financial firms in the area willing to hire interns. (you have to cold-email them, if there are no postings)</p>
<p>Try to get as high of a GPA as possible, join and get a leadership position at a finance club (I’m sure there must be one at VT) or a consulting club (or both, if you have the time, but you probably don’t have the time).</p>