So I'm at the point now where I'm considering going back to school. If you dont know I currently work in politics, mainly doing opposition research for people that contract me out (usually campaigns). Its fun, I like politics, but the pay just isnt where I want to be right now. Now I'm not someone who cares too much about money but raises I've been promised never happen and bosses seem to know that you dont work in this field for the money so they'll openly screw you over on pay. (not to mention getting paid late multiple times) Anyway, I graduated from UT and still have an unfinished finance degree at the McCombs School of Business that I could probably finish in a year. I always liked finance, just thought politics was where I'd end up. So for people in the industry, what are job prospects looking like. My biggest issue is all my internships in college all had to do with politics and working for NGOs so I never got the finance internships that everyone else has, so I'm not sure what my job prospects would be. Anyway just looking for some info from people in the field on whether I should bother going back to school and finishing that.
Finance has been hit like many industries during the recession. And, like the economy in general, where things have improved from a profitability perspective, employment has lagged behind. Which is to say, there are a lot of young people out there with finance degrees looking for jobs, new jobs or better jobs. Now, all that said, I'd encourage you to go ahead and finish off your degree. Sounds like you aren't interested in sticking with politics, for whatever reason, employment prospects won't always be where they currently are, and a finance degree will ultimately be helpful.
Hold off for a year or so on that plan. My brother is currently in the McCombs undergrad business program and he told me that internships are down 40-50% from a few years ago. If you can wait it out, the economy will pick back up in a year or two. Half the time getting the job, is about timing and not necessarily how smart or what school you went to.
Well I'm working right now for the Bill White Campaign but I'm done in August with them. My biggest concern is my lack of internship experience should I finish my finance degree. How big would that hurt me in terms of looking for a job? And even though I think school rankings are bull****, I'm hoping that getting my degree from McCombs can sort of compensate for that.
I'm a McCombs student right now and I can tell you that all business students are required to have an internship that relates to their major in order to graduate, although they do offer classes that act like internships for people who don't have any luck getting one.
double major in accounting if you can. finance + accounting > accounting > finance in terms of jobs. even in ibanking, they would prefer an entry level analyst with an accounting major over finance. this is coming from a finance major and an MBA with finance concentration.
You have some advantages in regards to already having real work experience as opposed to the majority of undergrads you will be competing against for these jobs. That being said, internships are important, but not necessary. About half the kids I know from McCombs had internships, but most of these people didn't actually land a job with the same company they interned for though. The finance job market is tough at this point. Case in point, is alot of my friends who used to work at the big investment banks like Lehman, Nomura and Merrill are still looking for jobs after having lost their jobs in the past two years. But the industry tends to favor new hires, who they can get relatively cheap for. Try to emphasize your campaign experience in your resume and all your interviews. It will make you stand out. You could do well in certain departments of finance where they need a public face like HR or strategic planning and marketing.
WTF you can't double major? what is wrong is McCombs? get a finance internship between now and when you graduate. the job market should be leaps and bounds better a year from now, although it is will be crappy in comparison to 5 years ago.
Well the problem with that is I have my current job through the summer, I'd go back to school in August and graduate in May so no real time for an internship. Thats my big worry I cant really get one unless I try for one after I graduate and I'd rather not unless I have to. And yes McCombs sucks, you cant double major unless you do business honors which is a bull**** major to begin with.
You can't double major because the school is so competitive to get into already. They would have to cut admissions if they wanted to let students double major. Considering how many students come to UT, try to get into business, don't, and then have to stick around with an economics degree or something random, its more than fair. How many years have you been working? When trying to get a job, experience is definitely a major factor. I think you make up for it though because you do have significant work experience, more so than other students, even if its not finance. I wouldn't worry about the internship, you already did it. Its a degree from McCombs, you will definitely get a job. I would go through with the degree. BHP is full of **** though, as are its students.
I've been working for a year and a half now. First for a firm that gets hired by campaigns to do research and consulting and now 2 political campaigns. I just hate that I dont have any actual finance experience. My "internship" that I used to get credit for finance, while an awesome well paying internship, had nothing to do with finance. But I do appreciate the encouraging stuff. I'll think I'll probably just finish the degree. Plus school is a lot of fun. And yes, BHP is ****ing garbage. How does a degree that forces you to take classes in every major (and consequently have no substantial classwork in any specific major) give you any qualifications to do anything?
If I went back to school I would do engineering, the outlook and demand for that profession is great, too many business majors, very competitive. But since you are so close, I would say finish what you started.
Why cant you do an internship during the school year? plenty of kids intern and have a full course load at the same time.
Sure I can but a finance specific internship in Austin, Texas isnt exactly common. I plan on doing something but its hard to find something industry specific like that.
Contact alumni around texas, interview in person, and try to work remotely. Do you have Friday classes? If not, drive to Houston, San Antonio or Dallas on Thursday night and crash with friends or family, and then work a full day on Fridays.
