Undergraduate Major for I-Banking?

<p>I'm going to be attending Georgetown University next year and I was wondering which major is usually a feeder for I-Banking jobs. I am currently considering a double-major in Economics and Chinese, because I might be interested in doing I-banking in the chinese financial markets (Goldman Sachs and several other major firms have large stakes in China). I might also do a minor in finance if my schedule will allow. Does this seem like a good academic curriculum if I want to be recruited for I-banking? My other ideas are to possibly transfer to the School of Foreign Service, or to pursue a major in finance.</p>

<p>Are you enrolled in the college of arts and sciences or the business school?</p>

<p>although you can major in anything you want, the safest bet would be to major in finance or econ and get as high of a gpa as you can get. As a note, I heard that Gtown's B-school places pretty well into Ibanking. So, I would take advantage of that. (definitely major in finance or econ to have the best shot)</p>

<p>A college professor recently told our class that finance jobs are hire more students with majors in history than math, economics, accounting or finance. We suspected his data source was flawed, and to a point it is (the Ivies and top schools don't offer traditional business programs or business-centric economics so students must seek out other majors), but he suspected there was another reason. History majors must analyze incredibly vast amounts of information, notice trends, write and articulate their ideas. They hold many of the raw talents to succeed in business. A solid enough point. Finance and investment banking isn't all about numbers and models. In fact, many of the financial models are specific to the firm that a finance specialization merely scratches the surface.
However, at an institution like Georgetown with a remarkable business school, a business degree might be best.</p>

<p>^Uhh I don't think so. Simply because there are so many more students in Economics/business than history. And because so many more of these Econ/business majors want to go into I-Banking than history majors.</p>

<p>Like I said, I'm skeptical too. But it makes some sense. Besides very few people know they want to go into investment banking right out of high school. Very few of those that do have the opportunity to seek out a business-related undergraduate degree at the top undergrad schools.</p>

<p>I was able to track down the data set on Georgetown's 2007 class (search: google</a>). The top majors were finance, accounting and economics in that order. Not far behind economics were politics and international affairs. A dozen humanities entered that line of work as well as one marketing major.</p>

<p>A great school like Georgetown can open up a number of opportunities for any graduate.</p>

<p>I was actually told by a recruiter interviewing at my school, who said that they tend to give a slight favor to the Econ majors. But, it is obvious that major in itself isn't the most important factor in getting the job at the ibank. They are looking for leadership, 3.75+ gpa, quantitative/analytical skills, good ecs, good work experiences, and superior interviewing skills.</p>

<p>That history comment may be true of consulting, but finance recruits usually need to have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, so Econ/Math come first.</p>

<p>Consulting. That may have been it. I may have confused the two because about the same time my accounting teacher was telling us about equal success accounting and general business majors had in finding jobs in finance as finance majors.</p>