Columbia Masters in Sociology

I'm extremely interested in sociology and am finance-accounting undergrad at a semi-target.

If I got into Columbia to complete a masters in sociology, would this help me or hurt me if I wanted to go into the investment management space?

Would the Columbia name, even if it's not for a business degree, help me eventually get into a good MBA?

 

No, this would not help you, especially since many people perceive Sociology to be a very fluffy subject. It would only help for b-school if it gets you a good job, and I don't think it would.

I can see how getting a degree in international relations, political science, or some type of area studies can be pitched for working in finance (though it would still be inferior to an MBA or masters in econ/finance/etc) but Sociology seems to be not only irrelevant but enough to hurt you.

 

I think it's a bad idea. Many graduate schools at top universities are cash cows. The really good Columbia schools for financial services recruitment are SIPA, CBS, and CLS. Even the top financial engineering program and the financial mathematics masters are poorly recruited. I would get a job and work before I pursued a masters degree, and even then it would not be in sociology.

No rain drop ever blames itself for the flood.
 

There are only 4 schools where you MIGHT be able to get away with this, but I would strongly suggest some sort of of relevant minor: Harvard, Stanford, Yale & Princeton...

I've met Harvard philosophy majors on derivatives desks. But then again, that was pre-Lehman. The world is very different now...

"Cut the burger into thirds, place it on the fries, roll one up homey..." - Epic Meal Time
 
vadremc:
I've met Harvard philosophy majors on derivatives desks. But then again, that was pre-Lehman. The world is very different now...

To your point, I know of an MD here in Toronto who was an Art History major at Princeton.

-MBP
 
vadremc:
There are only 4 schools where you MIGHT be able to get away with this, but I would strongly suggest some sort of of relevant minor: Harvard, Stanford, Yale & Princeton...

I've met Harvard philosophy majors on derivatives desks. But then again, that was pre-Lehman. The world is very different now...

Philosophy majors are another beast than sociology; I may even suggest that philosophy majors (at top 20 schools) are viewed like Math majors. They often come with the flexibility and the analytical tools needed to succeed. And yes, they did not do philosophy to enter the financial services, they just happen to have what is needed to succeed.

For your question, I would not suggest it. You would be better off getting your MBA at smaller brand name school.

 

Philosophy majors are a lot better off then sociology. Masters is no different/better

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Yeah I have a lot of respect for philosophy. It really trains you how to think, much like math. Took a course on modern symbolic logic, and that shit was quite challenging.

-MBP
 

Oh hell yea, and even the stuff outside of logic is really challenging (and often dry, which makes a 3.5 gpa philosophy major even more impressive to me). You learn to read, analyse, and write very well.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

manbearpig and DM, any good philosophy reading recommendations? I'd be interested in challenging myself and studying some of the stuff you guys are referring to.

 

A voluptas et eum repellat porro laborum mollitia. Officiis voluptatem eveniet magnam doloremque esse debitis et. Assumenda hic quia deleniti labore. Vero inventore nostrum modi est quis soluta velit. Reprehenderit quo saepe ipsa ex non doloribus.

Et qui voluptatum laudantium tempora ut ducimus voluptatem. Enim quam nesciunt quia praesentium vel architecto. Qui quas ut quia facere aliquid. Eligendi sed dolores assumenda. Aliquam rerum exercitationem est fuga. Et mollitia perspiciatis debitis sit in.

Voluptas rerum odit dolorum ut deleniti quis nesciunt. Et quibusdam eos sunt sint. Nam est voluptatem quis nihil. Nam reiciendis distinctio ut qui. Et error quae quaerat.

-MBP

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (92) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (206) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (148) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”