switch from Finance major to Econ major w/ Finance minor....?

College Majors Business Major
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<p>I just want someone to tell me I'm not screwed.</p>

<p>I'm not sure what I want to do, but a Finance degree is practical and I don't mind doing that kind of work in school and (hopefully) for a living. Actually, I just want to be employed, so it can't hurt to have a practical degree, especially considering I don't go to a prestigious school. A degree in Accounting and Finance with a concentration in Finance (here : Program:</a> Accounting and Finance, Finance Concentration, BS - Bridgewater State University - Acalog ACMS?) requires 19 more classes (16 of those, plus 3 other general ed courses).
So far I've completed..
ACFI 100 - Fundamentals of Financial Reporting
ACFI 200 - Financial Accounting
ACFI 385 - Managerial Finance
COMP 105 - Computers and Their Applications: An Introduction
ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 210 - Statistics for Economics and Business
I've been in school for a while now (have tons of credits in different majors), and although I don't entirely need to wrap things up by Spring semester 2015, I'd like to graduate by then, and my parents are under the impression I'll be done by then too. So that is my almost official deadline. </p>

<p>Is it a bad idea if I switch majors from Accounting and Finance with a conc. in Finance to Economics (Program:</a> Economics, BS - Bridgewater State University - Acalog ACMS?) with a minor in Accounting and Finance (Program:</a> Accounting and Finance Minor - Bridgewater State University - Acalog ACMS??%5DProgram:">http://catalog.bridgew.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=7&poid=1655)?) In other words, would it be harder to land the same type of jobs I'd be going for with the ACFI (Accounting and Finance) degree with the Econ major and ACFI minor? If I go this route, I'll meet the aforementioned deadline of Spring semester 2015. Out of the 12 ACFI courses that would've been required of me under the original plan, I'd be doing 5 of them with the ACFI minor (I'd make sure to take a couple more as well). I'd also not have to take the 5 required Management courses (which everyone tells me I'd learn in the first years on the job anyway).</p>

<p>I figured worst case scenario if I went this route and can't find the employment I would have w/ the ACFI degree I can just go to grad school for Finance...but it would have been easier and far cheaper (I basically go here for free) just to get the undergrad in Finance like I had planned originally and wait an extra year to graduate.</p>

<p>I received A's in the intro Econ courses but I found it to be rather tough. I'm terrible w/ graphs and I heard the intermediate courses are far more difficult [luckily, I'd only have to take two of them, followed by 5 Econ electives (which are things like 'sports economics,' 'environmental economics', 'history of economic thought,' etc.). What are your thoughts?
I'd be sure to point out that my concentration (not technically) was Finance, but I'd be filtered if they are looking for Accounting and/or Finance degrees. </p>

<p>Keep in mind-unlike some of the other posters here, I just want to be employed with a job that allows for,uh, growth (not sure why I can't even think of the term right now) and be able to enjoy a middle class life sometime in the near future. I don't need a response right away..I just want someone knowledgeable to take the time to look at the two programs and give me an honest answer. thank you!</p>

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<p>Hi :)</p>

<p>Either route seems a solid way to a ‘middle class’ type business entry job with a ladder up management. </p>

<p>Currently as you’re highly aware, the job situation for grads is shakey. But there are things other than your major than can be big helps. Geographical flexibility and a willingness to research and consider less ‘trendy’ industries as well as smaller companies and start ups means you’re not part of the stampede to get into the bluechip companies. And, these type of employers are arguably better placed to notice your potential and re-assign or promote you than a larger company where you’re a payroll number. Thinking out of the box is key.</p>

<p>As to your classes/majors/minors:</p>

<p>Unless you want the option of being a professional accountant, going for the Economics major seems a clever idea. It’ll also save you money- the longer you study, the greater the opportunity cost. </p>

<p>I think the key thing with your economics classes is that you still managed to get A’s. So you have the ability both intellectually and in terms of dedication. And the electives look fun. Unless the prospect fills you with dread, go ahead.</p>

<p>I understand your worry about being filtered out of some application processes. Sometimes this can be your major, but some companies do it with the name of your college. Certainly here in the UK, the top consultancy firms like PWC filter by college, then degree classification (GPA) and also your high school exam results! Which massively favours independent school educated people. So much for social mobility. With them, ironically, your major isn’t really a factor- art history is fine!</p>

<p>So, again, unless you really want to work as an accountant, popular companies will always filter in someway that isn’t necessarily fair. Move on to somewhere more open minded. </p>

<p>With an economics major you can still work in finance. You just bring a slightly different perspective. Economics is more of a ‘classic’ major. It’s the sort of major you’d do at Harvard or Oxford. It certainly hasn’t disadvantaged multiple heads of state and bankers. Finance is relatively modern and vocationally based. I’d go for the classic option if possible. It’ll date less. Either option is fine for grad school. Indeed, once you get established and have had a couple of positions on your resume your major will only deserve a passing glance to employers. </p>

<p>You could also do any of the more generic grad careers- police, military, k-12 teaching, college administration, medical administration… The hard part is narrowing all these choices down.</p>

<p>Oh, and if you can fit it in, try and get an internship if you haven’t already. A major local finance/ banking/ insurance firm would be a good bet. You might end up disliking the company and the work but it’ll give you a reference, a line on your resume and something to talk about in an interview. It will also help you to start narrowing down both the industry and the work setting you’d like. You’re allowed to aim for work you enjoy as well as being paid a decent wage :)</p>

<p>Don’t panic. There’s no deadline to finding a career you want to settle in to. Don’t compare your lifestyle and work to others if you’re enjoying it. That’s a passport to unhappiness. </p>

<p>And speak to your parents. Three heads are better than none. And they might know someone who works in a company you’d like to contact. Even if it’s ‘just’ the cleaner [no offence intended]. Networking is king. </p>

<p>Hope that’s been of some help.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the response. I was also told by my Finance adviser that it shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll come back with a more detailed response after finals are over in a couple of weeks. cheers.</p>