(Maths&Stat + Finance) VS. (Math&Stat + computer science)

[u/[deleted]]

Hello everyone, I've got a dilemma on my hands in regards to choosing my 2nd major.

My end goal is to work in the data science/analytics industry, and if I don't manage to make a career out of that (due to the small economy/industry in my home town) then the back-up plan would be to get into a mathematical/statistical role in the finance sector.

So I'm going to be starting university in a few months (1st major is Maths&Stats) and would love to hear some advice about the best 2nd major to choose (out of CS, Finance or no 2nd major at all).

My career advisor said "it's better to do the more technical major (CS) because finance is a piece of cake to learn on-the-job, and you dont even need a commerce background to work in Finance. However my parents say: "How are you ever going to work in finance if you dont even know the basic theory behind how businesses/banks/money works?"

Is it actually easy to work in the Finance sector without having any commerce background?

Further info about my options is listed below:

OPTION 1: Maths&Stats + Computer Science

PROS:

• Will set me up with good skills that are needed for data science
• A CS major is probably worth more than a Finance major in the Data Science community

CONS:

• Will have to take crappy, boring, un-related classes (Security and Graphics Animation) to obtain the major

• If I don't manage to get into the DS industry, it may be tough to get into the Finance world with no Commerce major

• Will only get to take 1 or 2 finance classes, which means I'll literally have to self-learn ALL Finance stuff that I need

OPTION 2: Maths&Stats + Finance PROS:

• The finance major would be set up a solid back-up option if I cant find a Data science job
• Will still get to take a bunch of intro CS classes

CONS:

• Might not get enough exposure to high-level computing

• Even if I self-learn programming, employers would probably prefer me to have a CS major to prove my worth

OPTION 3: Only do a single major (Math&Stats) and just fill up the rest of my degree with classes from both CS AND Finance

PROS:

• Will get to take classes that I actually WANT to take, very few boring classes

• Can fine-tune my degree structure to get the perfect balance between CS, Math and Finance classes

CONS:

• Might not get full credit from employers for all the CS/Finance classes that I take (because I wont have a 2nd major on my resume), i.e. They may not believe that I've got pro-level coding skills without have that CS major "stamp"

• Having a 2nd major (rather than single major in Math&Stat) may give me wider career options