Colorado Technical University

Need professional advice: should i drop my math major to graduate early and take a business internship?

Hello all. I apologize in advance for the length of this, but I'd really appreciate some input on this idea that I keep tossing around. Currently, I am a 2nd semester junior double majoring in mathematics and business administration. In my business degree, I am specializing in accounting and finance. When I graduate, I will be able to take the CPA test immediately, as I will have more than 150 hours and all required accounting coursework. Originally, I was going to take 4 math classes next semester (I know, I was crazy), and would be able to graduate a semester early with both degrees. However, one professor wouldn't let me into Calc-based probability, and since I go to a tiny university, I'll have to wait a whole year to take it. The reason I wasn't let in was because I dropped Calculus III last semester, which is now a prerequisite (instead of a concurrent course, like I was told). At this level, I'm not really enjoying my math courses as much. In Abstract Algebra I, I ended up with my first C ever because, frankly, I just did not care about the material at all. My schedule is so spread out now that I'll only have a max of 13 hours a semester since I've almost completed my business degree and I only need 6 more classes for my math degree. I think I should be able to pull B's in my remaining math courses and A's in my business ones. However, I can drop my math major down to a minor and graduate a semester early like I'd originally planned to. In addition, if I drop my math classes, I'll be able to pick up an area of emphasis in marketing. Here are some more considerations to this now very-long post: (1) I was originally intending to get the math degree as a backup in case I wanted to pursue and actuarial career. However, I don't think I have a desire to do this since I don't look forward to the prospect of my next 10 years being dominated by tests. (2) My ultimate post-graduation plans are to get a Masters of Finance and work in the area of asset management, particular in the areas of fundamental, value, or special situations (distressed debt, etc.) investing. For this career path, I really don't need what higher mathematics offers, and I plan to avoid master's programs that focus on financial engineering. (3) I'm worried that I will look intellectually weak to grad schools by dropping my math major. I come from a tiny school in WV, so I think it'll be hard for me to get into the University of Florida, my top choice right now for finance. However, I think that, by dropping my math major, I'll be able to better focus on my GMAT (I got a 1500 on the SAT, so hopefully I can replay this) and will have at least 9 months of full-time work experience under my belt, in addition to the internship at a regional accounting firm (100+ people) that I'll get this summer. (4) As a plus for graduate school, I am in the McNair Scholar's Program at my school. However, I am doing my research project with a mathematics professor, which will look odd if I just have a math minor. Why did I pick this person? Like I said, the school I go to is tiny and the finance professor is rarely there and has little practical knowledge, which is what I like. Thanks for trudging through this mess!

Public Comments

1. I would recommend to get all the coursework you can, now, insead of regretting it later. What's one semester 10 years down the road? You can still get a marketing internship later, can't you?
2. I can understand the frustrations of being confused. I cannot help you with what will help you in our career but I can TRY and make the confusion a bit easier. 1) Follow you heart :) No? Too impractical? Okay, moving on .. 2) Be patient and don't be in a rush! What's the rush? Mathematics should be awesomely challenging and the personal rewards outweigh the professional ones. You got a C because you didn't take interest. It wasn't because you're incapable. 3) What's a few more months compared to years and years? You will have all the time to explore your career options in the future. A lot of times employers hire mathematic majors with no background whatsoever in business just because they're hard working and determined to solve problems. 4) If you do your math now, it might help you perform better in your GMAT - ever thought of that?
3. I'm going to go counter to the other responders and say to drop your math to a minor and focus more on finance and business. You've already said that math was originally just a back-up plan but you realized that actuarial work was not for you. You have more than enough math for what you really want to do so anything beyond that is not necessary....I know, someone will make the argument that an education never goes to waste but you do eventually reach a point of diminishing returns on taking additional classes. Also, based on the tone of your posting and the info you provided, it seems that you've lost your interest in pure mathematics. There's nothing wrong with that and making a C because you just weren't interested is a sign that this is not the direction you want to go. I went through a similar situation in college and ended-up changing my major and going in a totally different career direction (which I am very glad I did). As for your third and fourth points, I don't think either will hurt you for acceptance into Florida. You're education and background should still be plenty strong to get you consideration for graduate school. Good luck.