Hi I've come to vent, but hopefully gain some insight from older veterans who have "been there, done that."
As of January next year I'll be starting the last semester of my degree, Bachelor of Commerce majoring in economics and finance. I'm from Australia, not sure if any of you are familiar with our grading system but right now my GPA is about 5.2, out of a possible 7. Not sure what the average is. 5.2 would certainly be above the average but I wouldn't be impressing anyone with that score either.
Anyway I've come to realise that there is almost nothing that sets me apart from other graduates, and I'm unsure of my job prospects next year.
My degree seems to have used almost no technical skills other than algebra necessary for basic calculus, and the basic calculus itself. We've had one class for the entire degree, and if you major in economics you also have to study econometrics. I feel woefully unqualified in this aspect, almost as if I missed a turn somewhere along the way. Basically, it feels as if 95% of my degree has been conceptual and you really just apply the facts of a particular theorem or whatever to a question. I don't see how that is going to be useful in the finance/economics industry. Employers want people who can crunch numbers don't they, not someone who can spout the assumptions of Taylor's theorem without a real understanding.
So I'm debating on whether or not I should go and take a graduate certificate in mathematics to increase my employability and also give myself some much needed confidence. But I'm also weary of study at the moment and would love to just get a job where I can start earning a wage and if the urge is still there, go back to university later. The diploma is $7350 per semester which I'd have to come up with from somewhere, I'll be roughly $16 grand in debt once I graduate with my bachelors.
The other alternative is too study this in my own time, which I think I'm quite capable of along with the internet these days. But then I really have nothing to show for it. I mean a lot of people probably wouldn't go for a degree if they could just say what they've learnt in their interview with nothing to back it up.
Anyway this post is become rather verbose, so I'll try boil it down to the main point. What did you do after you graduated and did you feel as if you were ready for the job market? (Another complaint of mine is the emphasis on just passing the exams, with this approach I think most students forget what they've studied within a few weeks post exam). Also what could I do to flesh out my resume? I study a second language outside of university which I can get a certificate for but wouldn't be accredited or anything like that. What other extra curricular activities impress employers?
Australians (if any are on this board) I'd love to hear your thoughts in particular but I think almost anyone could give their constructive 2c.
**EDIT**
I've just realised a few of you will probably be thinking "Why the hell post this here? This is a quant board". I've been reading this site for the past few weeks as I've basically wanted to develop a more mathematical approach to finance and this place comes up on Google more than most. Also the members here are a lot further along in life than myself and would have crossed these bridges before.
As of January next year I'll be starting the last semester of my degree, Bachelor of Commerce majoring in economics and finance. I'm from Australia, not sure if any of you are familiar with our grading system but right now my GPA is about 5.2, out of a possible 7. Not sure what the average is. 5.2 would certainly be above the average but I wouldn't be impressing anyone with that score either.
Anyway I've come to realise that there is almost nothing that sets me apart from other graduates, and I'm unsure of my job prospects next year.
My degree seems to have used almost no technical skills other than algebra necessary for basic calculus, and the basic calculus itself. We've had one class for the entire degree, and if you major in economics you also have to study econometrics. I feel woefully unqualified in this aspect, almost as if I missed a turn somewhere along the way. Basically, it feels as if 95% of my degree has been conceptual and you really just apply the facts of a particular theorem or whatever to a question. I don't see how that is going to be useful in the finance/economics industry. Employers want people who can crunch numbers don't they, not someone who can spout the assumptions of Taylor's theorem without a real understanding.
So I'm debating on whether or not I should go and take a graduate certificate in mathematics to increase my employability and also give myself some much needed confidence. But I'm also weary of study at the moment and would love to just get a job where I can start earning a wage and if the urge is still there, go back to university later. The diploma is $7350 per semester which I'd have to come up with from somewhere, I'll be roughly $16 grand in debt once I graduate with my bachelors.
The other alternative is too study this in my own time, which I think I'm quite capable of along with the internet these days. But then I really have nothing to show for it. I mean a lot of people probably wouldn't go for a degree if they could just say what they've learnt in their interview with nothing to back it up.
Anyway this post is become rather verbose, so I'll try boil it down to the main point. What did you do after you graduated and did you feel as if you were ready for the job market? (Another complaint of mine is the emphasis on just passing the exams, with this approach I think most students forget what they've studied within a few weeks post exam). Also what could I do to flesh out my resume? I study a second language outside of university which I can get a certificate for but wouldn't be accredited or anything like that. What other extra curricular activities impress employers?
Australians (if any are on this board) I'd love to hear your thoughts in particular but I think almost anyone could give their constructive 2c.
**EDIT**
I've just realised a few of you will probably be thinking "Why the hell post this here? This is a quant board". I've been reading this site for the past few weeks as I've basically wanted to develop a more mathematical approach to finance and this place comes up on Google more than most. Also the members here are a lot further along in life than myself and would have crossed these bridges before.
