Hi. I’m wondering what the job prospects are for undergrad A&S majors? If I’m not pre-med/pre-law/pre-grad school, what kind of jobs can I get with a degree in Global Studies, Psych, Humanities etc? Are there corporations/consulting firms/financial firms that hire out of A&S, or do they focus on Olin candidates?
Many jobs today are hired on line. Even at my sons school, they come but have you apply on line. I’ve talked to some parents from here who have kids at elite schools and they confirm the same.
I think ensuring you have good quant and IT education is most important. Those majors alone are harder to break in from vs say Econ.
But most have quant tracks or can be combined with a minor or 2nd major.
WUSTL publishes their career outcomes. Take a look. You need a box account or call their career center and find outcomes by major.
Most importantly, even in majors that have better success, if you are looking at the top firms, the odds are small even at the highest rated schools.
So if you were my student, I’d advise you to not choose a program based on an exacting outcome. But soft skills, while important, won’t lead to success in that industry in my opinion.
Also check linked in. Find some WUSTL grads in consulting. Review their background. Hint - one has a studio art bfa and is starting as a business analyst at McKinsey.
Good luck.
Thanks so much. I’m sorry, but I am a little confused by your answer? Are you saying that soft skills like a major in global sciences or PNP or humanities have lower chances of employment overall, right out of undergrad? Or only that it would be difficult to break into a quant heavy role without a quite happy background?
I’m not necessarily interested in a quant heavy role like derivatives analyst or assistant to Alan Greenspan or economic policy wonk. Just opportunities in corporate America - and your last example seems to support that?
Sorry if this doesn’t all make sense to me, I realize I don’t know crap about any of this, and I’m trying to figure it all out before I submit my ED app.
I was going by your last part of financials/consulting - I believe it’s harder. My daughter has the global studies major, is adding a second and well you just don’t see big firms chase them (on average). Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Much too will be based on internships you are able to get etc.
Btw it’s always been this way. It’s why I ended up in sales I was a journalism / history dual. Failed at journalism and wasn’t qualified for much else. They (sales) often take any major (depending on the product). Or insurance…claims, underwriting.
There are no absolutes though.
You’ll be able to see outcomes by school. How many arts and science go to grad school right after vs b school majors.
Ultimately your path will be your own and you may defy my perceptions as the studio art student has done.
Put another way - back to my kid who will have a second similar major like poli sci, sociology or urban studies, I’m scared out of my mind (as a parent) as to her future. But she’s a go getter so I know she’ll be fine. If you are, you’ll be too.
Her interest don’t lie in data, cs, business or stem and one can’t pretend to be who they aren’t.
As for ED at WUSTL, they push hard and your odds are better. My son was WL for engineering with one B in HS, 11 or 12 APs and a 34 ACT. I did not let my kids ED anywhere. Make sure you can afford it.
Is the dual degree my daughter will get - Intl Studies with a Chinese language focus and urban studies or poli Sci dual worth $350k full pay - heck no.
But that’s just my opinion. Yours may be different. Other people think differently than me. Or maybe you qualify for aid ?
Again they publish their outcomes. I put the link in the last message. Check it out.
It’s a great school, gorgeous campus. Good luck.
I think some decent level of numeracy is required. Critical thinking skills combined with quantitative skills. If you can demonstrate those, both on paper, and in person, you are good to go.
1 Like
Thank you! I did check those outcomes and PNP sounds very NOT promising - only 37% have paid full-time jobs after graduation. If I want to be in A&S, it looks like I’ll be more employable with an Econ major. These pages are very helpful, thank you. I wasn’t able to open the PDF’s in Box (kept saying missing file), but this is super helpful info.
I think, in the end, you should study what you want. Do I wish my daughter studied engineering, CS or accounting, etc. of course - but that’s not her.
And there are no absolutes.
If your interest is global studies or neuroscience and not Econ, then why study Econ?
You can get to anywhere from anywhere.
And of the other 63%, where are they ? Likely mostly in grad school but that’s because these are academic and not pre professional majors.
Good luck.
1 Like
Consulting firms do not care what your major is, it is more about the interview and how you ace the cases. My kid just got a summer associate internship with a MBB firm as an A&S humanities major out of WashU. There are many opportunities available coming from here.
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.