<p>Hyeonjlee - interesting post, and congrats to your son!</p>
<p>In terms of wall street and finance, I never felt Chicago students were at a disadvantage in comparison to their counterparts anywhere b/c of lack of brand name rep of Chicago economics. I felt like a lack of social acumen amongst the undergrads might have held them back a bit, but Chicago economics seems as respected as any other degree from anywhere.</p>
<p>Financial employers want Chicago grads with an ability to deal with long hours and lots of quant. work, but they also want those “team players”. (Ever notice how many finance people seem to have played football at Dartmouth or rowed at Yale?) The “social” aspect of the interviewing process is where some Chicago kids fall short. If your son is already schmoozing with high level execs, I see no problem here at all. </p>
<p>Again, I don’t think its the strength or brand name of Chicago economics that holds students back, its the rep of being a “quirkier” place (i.e. not conforming to the business standard) that makes Chicago kids lag a half step behind HYP and Wharton. If your son already has the social acumen part down pat, I can’t see anything but myriad finance options available for him (if and when the market recovers).</p>