<p>I’m thinking of switching from engineering to a math/finance program. I do not enjoy engineering thus far (just finished my third semester). My GPA is 3.8, and I think that I could do better, since engineering curves very low, compared to any other faculty here. I go to school in Canada, but I am worried that I will not be able to get a good job if I switch programs. I would like to eventually get my MBA from an elite school, but am I taking a risk by switching majors? I feel like I could graduate with a 3.85+ by the time I get my degree. I go to the University of Alberta, Canada. Does anyone know how a BSc. in mathematics and finance is viewed? What type of job would I be looking at with a degree like this? Starting salary? Thanks.</p>
<p>This is the description of the program on my University’s site:</p>
<p>“This program is designed to provide a broadly based education in the areas of mathematics, finance, economics and actuarial science. The student may also optionally choose some courses from management science. A graduate would have the background to enter the financial industry and train as a financial analyst. Students enter this program in second or third year and admission is competitive.”</p>
<p>If you get high GPA in Math/Finance, you can get into basically any field from a finance job to a quant job to a actuary… the possibilities are broad. Can’t help w/ salary as I’m not familiar with canada’s graduate market.</p>
<p>A 3.8 is good. Just b/c you want an MBA from an elite school doesn’t mean you can’t do so with an engineering undergrade degree. In fact, that’s quite common. Only switch if you don’t like engineering, b/c your GPA shows you are good enough for grad school.</p>
<p>“If you get high GPA in Math/Finance, you can get into basically any field from a finance job to a quant job to a actuary… the possibilities are broad. Can’t help w/ salary as I’m not familiar with canada’s graduate market.”</p>
<p>Thanks, good to hear. I’m not exactly sure what area of finance I’d like to enter, as I haven’t researched that much. Does it help if I say that I want to work in Europe or the USA? I’ve heard a lot about Investment Banking, Management Consulting, etc., but I’m not about to tell you that I’m interested in either of those fields, considering my very limited knowledge. I do know about the career of an actuary though, and that doesn’t seem like it is for me. I’m going to look into investing and finance related jobs.</p>
<p>“A 3.8 is good. Just b/c you want an MBA from an elite school doesn’t mean you can’t do so with an engineering undergrade degree. In fact, that’s quite common. Only switch if you don’t like engineering, b/c your GPA shows you are good enough for grad school.”</p>
<p>Thanks. I actually loathe engineering, to be honest. I don’t mind my math/physics courses, but the actual engineering courses (mechanics, thermodynamics, etc.) I can’t stand. I find it hard to pay attention in lecture, and actually end up skipping many lectures because of this. I’ll stay in engineering if it will benefit my career, but I don’t enjoy it.</p>
<p>Another question that I have is, what is better, a BSc. in mathematics and finance, or a BComm. (Canada’s version of a BBA) in Finance, for my goals?</p>
<p>I also want to switch out of engineering but don’t know what major to replace it with. If I want to do something finance related, what concentration should I pursue?</p>
<p>Also, can enter the finance field with a bio engineering degree? I heard some firms are specifically hiring engineers now to be trained in the world of finance</p>