10 answers
DEVANSH
Student
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
1
Question
Updated
3041 views
To become an investment banker is a degree in business administration appropriate?
For my future career plans. #banking #investment-banking #finance
[This question was edited for clarity by a site administrator]
Login to comment
10 answers
Clayton Wert
Career Coach
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Clayton’s Answer
I would urge you to pursue a degree in a specific finance field, however a business administration degree could be a path to an eventual investment banker. You would most likely be looking at internships in wealth management at first, while you are in college, and then could make the transition to IB. Good luck! :)
Navin Ganesh
Data Analytics
4
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Navin’s Answer
If your plan is to find a job and work in India, the path that will offer you the best chance of landing an IB job is to get a MBA degree from one of the top B-Schools with a specialization in Finance.
Having said that, there are other paths which will help you to achieve the same goal but would require more time, patience and learning as you progress through your career journey. Gaining an solid understanding of various aspects of the business (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product/Service Lifecycle) can set you up well for a more rounded career in IB/consulting.
Having said that, there are other paths which will help you to achieve the same goal but would require more time, patience and learning as you progress through your career journey. Gaining an solid understanding of various aspects of the business (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product/Service Lifecycle) can set you up well for a more rounded career in IB/consulting.
Simon Huang
Vice President
5
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Simon’s Answer
A degree in Business Administration provides you the basic knowledge of business, which is beneficial for you to achieve any roles in the business/finance world.
However, to be an investment banker, you'll need to have practical skills to do financial analysis, research, modelling and valuation. Thus, it is advised to take more Finance courses that are focused on these skills. Junior staff in investment banks are normally busy with building financial models, performing due diligence, and assisting in coordinating different parties. In addition to strong analytical skills, effective communication skills are also essential. Joining some clubs and leading events will help you to hone such skills.
Other than academics and clubs, an internship in investment banks is usually required to secure a full-time IBD job offer. Start looking for such internships early, and try to reach out to alumni for advice and opportunities.
However, to be an investment banker, you'll need to have practical skills to do financial analysis, research, modelling and valuation. Thus, it is advised to take more Finance courses that are focused on these skills. Junior staff in investment banks are normally busy with building financial models, performing due diligence, and assisting in coordinating different parties. In addition to strong analytical skills, effective communication skills are also essential. Joining some clubs and leading events will help you to hone such skills.
Other than academics and clubs, an internship in investment banks is usually required to secure a full-time IBD job offer. Start looking for such internships early, and try to reach out to alumni for advice and opportunities.
Jennifer Friedberg
Senior Associate at PwC - Financial Services Capital Markets Management Consulting
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Devansh,
I think it's great that you have a goal in mind when it comes to your career. I think you can pursue this in one of two ways. You can acquire a business degree with a concentration/major in finance. Or you could also study within the college of arts and major in economics. I know people working in investment banking who came from both backgrounds. I would suggest taking courses in both areas to become a well rounded candidate.
I think it's great that you have a goal in mind when it comes to your career. I think you can pursue this in one of two ways. You can acquire a business degree with a concentration/major in finance. Or you could also study within the college of arts and major in economics. I know people working in investment banking who came from both backgrounds. I would suggest taking courses in both areas to become a well rounded candidate.
Jay Light
Director- Client Solutions Group North America
5
Answers
Updated
Jay’s Answer
You already have some good advice to your question, but I might add a few thoughts for you.
1) It's great to have an idea of what you want to do, "Investment Banker" but I would encourage you to focus your first few years or jobs on building a diversity of skill sets. it will be those skill sets that enable you to be successful across a larger range of roles. In my case, I started with one degree in mind, but changed majors 4 times and do not currently work in my original degree field. I do ,however, utilize my minor in Communication Studies quite a bit. So, if you get some exposure to the field of Investment Banking and don't like it, you have other skills that will allow you to try a different field.
2) If you are headed to investment banking, the degrees mentioned (finance, accounting, marketing) would all be good. But I would highly encourage you to take a sales role in a large organization for a year or more to gain a good foundation of dealing with different kinds of personalities and finding your "voice" when it comes to advising , consulting, or selling ideas to future clients. Even if you don't ultimately want to be in a direct sales role, having success in that type role early in your career will help give you better understanding of how customers think and how products and services reach the market.
Mostly, though, just stick with your larger plan, irrespective of short term things changing during your journey.
Good Luck
1) It's great to have an idea of what you want to do, "Investment Banker" but I would encourage you to focus your first few years or jobs on building a diversity of skill sets. it will be those skill sets that enable you to be successful across a larger range of roles. In my case, I started with one degree in mind, but changed majors 4 times and do not currently work in my original degree field. I do ,however, utilize my minor in Communication Studies quite a bit. So, if you get some exposure to the field of Investment Banking and don't like it, you have other skills that will allow you to try a different field.
2) If you are headed to investment banking, the degrees mentioned (finance, accounting, marketing) would all be good. But I would highly encourage you to take a sales role in a large organization for a year or more to gain a good foundation of dealing with different kinds of personalities and finding your "voice" when it comes to advising , consulting, or selling ideas to future clients. Even if you don't ultimately want to be in a direct sales role, having success in that type role early in your career will help give you better understanding of how customers think and how products and services reach the market.
Mostly, though, just stick with your larger plan, irrespective of short term things changing during your journey.
Good Luck
John Valenzuela
EUC Client Sales Specialists Controller
2
Answers
Updated
John’s Answer
My opinion is you should specialize in a specific business degree like finance or accounting to lead into this type of career front. it shows specialization plus finance and/or accounting our the languages of business.
Tod Stover
Client Solutions Sales Specialist at Dell
4
Answers
Rochester, New York
Updated
Tod’s Answer
Hi Devansh,
I think a degree in Finance is probably the best choice for an investment banking career. If not finance, the Business Admin degree with a focus or minor in Finance is a good option too.
I think a degree in Finance is probably the best choice for an investment banking career. If not finance, the Business Admin degree with a focus or minor in Finance is a good option too.
Elizabeth Shapiro
Sales
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Having a degree in Business Admin would be helpful but if you can take finance courses and modeling courses within that degree, I think that would be extremely beneficial.
Gregory Colicci
Senior Associate, Advisory at PwC - Capital Markets Management Consulting
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
There are many people who obtain jobs within investment banking that do not have a degree in Finance or in business for that matter. Investment banks are looking for applicants who are smart, driven and fast learners. While your finance degree will help with the basics, your real learning will occur within your first years on the job.
My advice would be to obtain degree in something that interests you, maintain a high GPA, apply for an internship at an investment bank and begin networking your way to a career in investment banking. Good luck!
My advice would be to obtain degree in something that interests you, maintain a high GPA, apply for an internship at an investment bank and begin networking your way to a career in investment banking. Good luck!
Katya Lev
Financial center manager
117
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Katya’s Answer
Hi Devansh, your degree is a good one but if you are looking to be an investment banker- I recommend you choose a degree in Finance. Finance Degree has a much more detailed explanation to the inside of investors. Business Degree is more of a general degree where you will learn about different subjects but without specifics. Whereas Finance Degree-will allow you to get an entry level investment position. Also, man6 investment careers do require you to pursue a graduate degree -for example Master of Business Administration.
While you are pursuing your Degree- I highly recommend that you look for internships opportunities within financial organization-specifically in the investment banker field. You could try during the summer time and really get to know the inside of the job, ask questions,do rotations within Different departments. Many internship do offer a full time or a co tract job after it’s completion- so this would be a great seqway into the role you are interested in.
Have you thought of any internship positions-as an entry level position?
While you are pursuing your Degree- I highly recommend that you look for internships opportunities within financial organization-specifically in the investment banker field. You could try during the summer time and really get to know the inside of the job, ask questions,do rotations within Different departments. Many internship do offer a full time or a co tract job after it’s completion- so this would be a great seqway into the role you are interested in.
Have you thought of any internship positions-as an entry level position?