<p>Hi, I'm going to be a senior applying to college. I'm leaning towards SEAS right now, but just curious, will SEAS give me good chances at getting jobs in IBD? And how hard is IEOR compared to economics. Should I minor in economics in addition to IEOR or is that a waste? Lastly, can some current or former Columbians share their experiences with regard to SEAS going into finance? Thanks.</p>
<p>Also, would it be even remotely possible to major in Mechanical Engineering and get in IBD or finance? I mean how hard is it to get a good GPA in those hard majors? THanks again.</p>
<p>Yes, it is possible and even probable.</p>
<p>Um, I’m guessing you haven’t followed the news lately. Finance, and especially IBD sell-side firms are falling like dominoes. As someone in the industry, I can very responsibly tell you that IBD as you know it / as it existed very likely will be extremely different 4 years from now. The whole industry is in structural decline…</p>
<p>^ Yeah, but it still wont stop the hundreds of money-hungry, prestige-craving freshmen from attending the Morgan Stanley info session next month. ;)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go so far as to say the entire industry is in structural decline. The risk-taking that we saw due to trading will weigh on earnings. However, the advisory business (traditional IBD which encompasses M&A) will be necessary for companies and there will be a consistent demand for investment bankers.</p>
<p>It’s definitely harder to get a good GPA in SEAS than in CC, and the recruiters don’t cut as much slack to the engineers, as measured by differences in their average GPA’s. That said, it’s not impossible and as long as you keep above a 3.6-3.7, you have a good shot at interning at a bank.</p>
<p>Yo homies, sorry to revive a dead thread, but jw, does Columbia take care of internships with career counselling stuff, or would I have to newtwork my ass off myself? Thanks guys!!</p>
<p>Both. 10 char.</p>
<p>^ not exactly, I pretty much did not network for anything, I got one interview through networking, but all the rest (and there were tons) were just submitting resume and cover letter on our campus system. I didn’t even seek any career counselling, you usually just get some help from seniors who’ve done it, look at their resume / cover letters and do it yourself. Most companies coming to campus choose before hand to interview 15-50 kids first round, and then if you suit one of those 15-50 spots, you’ll be chosen. To be sure, networking can help a qualified applicant, but it has to be done right, half the time over-eager college students just annoy their potential interviewers by being pushy, verbose, socially awkward or anxious.</p>