Computer Science Vs Finance Major

Ryan O'Connell, CFA gives his breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of majoring in Computer Science Vs Finance.
🎓 Tutor With Me: 1-On-1 Video Call Sessions Available
► Join me for personalized finance tutoring tailored to your goals: ryanoconnellfinance.com/finance-tutoring/
👨‍💼 Freelance Financial Modeling Services:
► Custom financial modeling solutions tailored for your needs: ryanoconnellfinance.com/freelance-finance-services/
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Salary
1:21 - Difficulty
2:14 - Entrepreneurship Potential
3:17 - Necessity of the Degree
4:21 - Future of the Profession
6:28 - Enjoyment
7:42 - Conclusion
Ryan holds a Bachelors in Finance from UW-Eau Claire, a Master of Science in Finance from Texas A&M University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Computer and Information Technology from the University of Pennsylvania.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

🎓 Tutor With Me: 1-On-1 Video Call Sessions Available ► Join me for personalized finance tutoring tailored to your goals: ryanoconnellfinance.com/finance-tutoring/

[@voodooblue6162]

CS seems to be a good fit for me, who’s introverted and socially awkward, but the amount of ridiculously challenging math involved in computer science is what intimidates me, especially since I want to graduate in 4 years.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I'm right there with you buddy. There are so many difficult math proofs required with a CS degree and it is so time consuming. Sometimes it can be very hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, "if it was easy everyone would do it" and you get paid well to do the things other people can't do

[@AAlbor16]

What math related courses are involved with Computer Science?

[@OH-vh6vi]

@@AAlbor16 calc1-calc2 and sometimes calc3... discrete math.. can’t think of the rest but the calc is enough to scare anyone already.

[@jarenventures]

@@OH-vh6vi .. my friend is an Amazon se and he said he doesn’t even use math anymore

[@new_filler]

Ryan this is an incredibly helpful video. I am currently a finance major thinking of going into IT, although it is too late to major in it. Thank you for covering these rarely compared majors.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Good luck making your decision, it is certainly not an easy one!

[@user-is6hw3ii5p]

Thank you very much for sharing your video!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Of course!

[@miracle7113]

Thank you. My son is still choosing between these two majors .

[@enish27]

Highly recommend dual degree!

[@OH-vh6vi]

@@enish27 the requirements don’t lap

[@Louisianish]

If you’re interested in both, you can always do both. Now, a lot of schools offer majors in information systems management (also called management information systems). I have a B.S. in hospitality management but, I’m back in school getting an A.S. in computer programming and analysis, and I love it. I don’t regret my bachelor’s degree, but I wish I had discovered my passion for programming and web development a lot sooner than I did.

[@davidp7438]

What age did you change your career to Computer Programming?

[@lolhi2447]

I’m thinking of doing both finance and CS

[@Louisianish]

@@lolhi2447 That's pretty cool. Have you looked into FinTech?

[@Louisianish]

@@davidp7438 Hey, sorry I'm just seeing your comment. I'm 38 now. So I was about 36 when I really seriously started making the transition.

[@Architect714]

Awesome video man, thanks a ton!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

You bet!

[@blakexcrum]

REALLY HELPFUL!! THANK YOU

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Glad it helped!

[@craigspencer4306]

He is correct, firms including Citadel Securities, IMC Trading BV and Optiver BV have established bases, hired rapidly and plan to employ even more. Elite recruits with math, science and engineering background, finance firms are becoming more tech driven.

[@LearningAndGrowingInLife]

Thanks for the excellent comparison. Another interesting comparison idea could be MS CS vs MBA (two very popular post grad degrees).

[@SkiddyNxt]

Thank you for this🙌🏼 ! Ima be going to college next year n i’m debating if I should go into computer science( software engineering) for the money really lowkey . Or some sort of business degree like finance or international business. I just dont know too much research on them on the business side but I have a strong passion for entrepreneurship and film

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

One thing that's really important to consider is your own personality and interests! If you go into CS just for the money but you do not have any interest in the topic then it will be hard to do that type of work for 40~ years. What are you naturally good at? What are you interested and passionate about? How can you align these interests, passions, and skills to the job market or economy? You should think long and hard about these questions

[@SkiddyNxt]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Thank you so much! This definitely helped 💯 and that makes a lot of sense tbh. I will spend some time focusing on these questions and making the right choice! I appreciate it💯🙌🏼

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@SkiddyNxt Best of luck with the decision! And don't worry, it shouldn't be too much pressure because most people switch their major at least once. So it is not the end of the world if you try one out and find out that it's not for you

[@khushi__kaur]

I have the same condition right now and it's too frustating

[@BoulFF]

I am currently a computer science major considering the switch over to finance and possibly minoring in comp sci. This helped immensely, thank you!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Good luck with the decision! Please let us know what you decide

[@alphawavesready6639]

That's a good route. Rn im doing CS and I want to go finance and minor economics

[@smod1861]

Hey im interested in doing the same(finance major and cs minor) how was it if you did change your major and minor to finance and cs?

[@kingofpop416]

​@@smod1861 did you end up majoring finance and minoring CS? I'm thinking of doing the same thing

[@linoemdo3507]

very useful thanks bud!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@junay8665]

Thanks for the information

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

You're welcome Junay

[@late3843]

Excellent analytical video, helped a lot. I like it when you are giving clear argument on your points. Also the fact that you tell when it’s your opinion and when based on data is awesome.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Really appreciate the feedback and I'll keep that in mind for the future!

[@noBoxKhan]

I'm glad I found this video. Currently, I am at a crossroad to choose what Community College I want to go to. Ones focus is in Tech/Engineering and the other Finances/Business. I don't want to go in undecided cause I want to have clarity in my path and what I need to do. Personally, my main passion is music, but other than the fact my parents won't be down for it, I also want a job that gives me financial security and allows me be "creative." One thing I'm looking towards is starting a record label, which I'd presumes requires some skills in running a business. Finances would also help with my personal financial responsibilities and teach me how to invest. However, CS can also open doors for me that I am too young to be aware of.. Feeling very anxious and this video helped a little, so thank you!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Trust your parents, they have wisdom haha. Starting a record label also requires money! So majoring in CS or Finance would be great for you as you can save up for other aspirations in life. Music could be a hobby for a while on the side of your job until you have saved up enough to make it your main priority should you decide to do that. Also, it is fine to go in undecided and see which you like better after you've tried a class related to each one. You really can't go wrong either way and I wish you the best of luck in your decision!

[@noBoxKhan]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Thank you! This response helped calm my nerves.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@noBoxKhan Absolutely, best of luck!

[@josephrobeiro7318]

So happy to know that I'm not alone.I also like to do something music but can't bcos of my asian parents.I am also confues between mba and software engineer

[@crazylab5078]

@@josephrobeiro7318 This is definitely an asian thing. If not finance or cs tgen become a doctor!😀

[@testadelcomputer1839]

Talking as a Major Finance graduate in Milan, Italy working in M&A industry, without a 5 years finance university you're going nowhere, plus it's not only about learning financial markets rules or financial mathematics but you must be very strong also at understanding laws and accounting principles like Gaaps and IFRS/IAS. It's incredible how demanding working in M&A is.

[@themichaelolivas]

I've been programming for a few years now and completed my first year in computer science. Wanting to switch over to finance. I've always been tinkering around, building stuff, so the problem-solving/product-building side of me won't go away if I transition to finance. I'll know how to build products while having an understanding of the financial/economic side of things. In the end, I want to be working on my own thing. I know I can go off and be an entrepreneur right now (although super risky) but staying in school for now, meeting new people, developing professional maturity, and learning as much as I can is the best path for me right now. And I won't lie, the math classes for CS were a pain in the butt, and yes, I think finance will be much easier for me but I know I'll enjoy the material a lot. Still going to be coding and building projects for my portfolio. Thanks for the video!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

My pleasure! Looks like you and I have a lot of similar interests! I've got all these financial app ideas and financial calculation ideas floating around in my head all the time. Pairing CS with Finance really opened up a whole new world for me in terms of what is possible with the rare synergy between the two. It looks like you have got a good head on your shoulders and good sense of direction for where you want to go. Keep it up and keep chopping away at your goals a little but everyday and you'll be surprised where you can end up

[@random-dt1gm]

Amazing video👍👍

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Really appreciate the feedback Jasmine!

[@TheFootballPlaya]

I'm currently in a bachelors for computer science. I would caution people going to school for this. If you do not have interests career-wise in software development or some specific area of computing like networks, AI, ML, CV, distributed computing, theoretical computer science, etc., don't go to school for cs. If you want to go into analytics, between the two given in the video, I'd choose Finance. Math/stat + domain knowledge seems way more necessary for something like analytics since the whole point is to provide insights for a business/government entity and not to develop software. The programming part is easy in either area development or analytics. The "what to do and why" part is the tricky one.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I hear you on this one. A lot of required CS courses are very theoretical and I often feel my time would be better spent just coding rather than learning theory and doing proofs

[@TheFootballPlaya]

@@RyanOConnellCFA yes exactly. There's actually not that much programming in a computer science degree. Which is surprising. Of the available options in a school it probably has the most programming courses, but even then, there's a lot of those theory courses sprinkled in. I'd also caution people who are not self-starter types. Like if someone wants to be shown exactly what to do every single time and tends to post-pone their curiosities until they are given very specific instructions and have someone there to verify what their doing is correct, then i'd say don't do cs. A lot of the programming is self-taught, it takes place on your own time outside of class. Professors tend to lecture on theory and throw you into the fire with assignments that are purposefully challenging. It's not an easy game, but it is winnable with enough practice; but the student MUST be deliberate in that practice. It's a weird idea, but the professor shouldn't have to tell a student to program, the student should already be programming in their spare time. That's the expectation of a lot of these cs degree programs. The classes just assume you remember & know earlier concepts, without much refresher.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@TheFootballPlaya I was warned about the lack of programming in a CS degree and I disregarded it lol. I've been very suprised that it seems the amount of theory and math proofs has outnumbered the actual amount of programming up until this point for me sadly. And I totally agree with you on that you need to figure out everything on your own for the most part. For most programming assignments I spend hours googling around for error messages and playing around in the debugger. It is far more time consuming than finance was. So I agree with you, for one to go into a CS degree they better be a work hourse who is comfortable being reclusive on weekends while their freinds are out socializing

[@TheFootballPlaya]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Hey Ryan. I know it's been about 2 months. But I'm reaching out for some advice. So, I'm thinking about doing the flip-side of what you did. I have a good gpa in my program, near 4.0, and have the option to get a masters in computer science focusing in data science. To be honest, I'm reluctant to do so, as we've already pointed out in the past that this will more than likely translate to more theory courses and less application coursework; and I'll probably be teaching myself again. In reference to the common 'data science' venn diagram on the web that is pointed to, it appears it is the intersection of stats / business / cs. I am of the belief that cs boils down to programming and knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence. I see it as the last step in terms of producing analytics. First and foremost being some kind of purpose established by domain knowledge, the ability to translate business problems into a context that can be dwelled upon in a mathematical / statistical sense, and then lastly translated into instructions for a computer to do. Then, really, last-lastly, taking whatever the computer did and interpreting what it all means and putting it back into the business context. With this, I have considered doing a masters in Finance because I feel as though it will provide me with a strong grip on mathematics & statistics while coupled with a business purpose and could give me an application space to apply programming to. A sibling of mine has recently gone to school for his masters in Finance. He has a background in the field along with economics and he tells me that I should consider it, because he is programming a lot and doing data analytics related tasks. I have thought about it, but of course, I don't have a business background at all and no experience with that area so I'm a bit worried if I were to go for the masters, I could potentially box myself into that overqualification realm. I think the easy fix to this could be to just get some experience, so I have been toying with the idea of just applying to business roles as is for internships to see what it's like. I'm not expecting much response but if I get a taker and the skillset seems relevant to the analytical space, I will go for it. My questions are, how can I leverage my computer science background to gain internships in business areas that are doing analytical tasks? Also what would be your advice to someone like me in the grad school sense? Would going for a masters of science in business right after undergrad overqualify me for entry level positions in business analytics related roles? I'd like to expand my options out of the development realm and do something else ultimately. Let me know. Thank you in advance.

[@pepelepew1227]

@@TheFootballPlaya take finance in a good uni and coursera on machine learning. you would need to know how to manage your own portfolio and ward off scams.

[@sailakshmi3433]

I'm currently pursuing CFA level 1. But my interest for programming pulls me there. As I'm not much experienced in programming, leaving the path already taken and trying to create a completely new path scares me. I wanted learn more about full stack development

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Good luck with the tough decision Sai. Please come back and let us know what you decided

[@krerk815]

Yeah, come back man!

[@AdamHerger]

Great video Ryan! Personally, I'm trying to decide whether I should pursue Computer Science or Business and Economics. I live in Europe and we have a different system here. Basically, you choose a specific degree and only have classes related to that degree, meaning I can't simply choose one as my major and the other as a minor. I basically have to go with one or the other... I'm currently trying to decide whether to go to the TU or the WU (both in Vienna). I have an interest in both subjects, I've been coding simple programs and games for the past year and have enjoyed the process, but I'm also extremely interested in personal finance and the inner workings of a business (potentially starting my own). What do you suggest? What would you choose if you were in my position? Keep the videos coming man! :D

[@theunheardprophet4315]

Hast du dich entschieden?

[@AdamHerger]

@@theunheardprophet4315 Ich bin leider immer noch unentschlossen. Versuchst du auch zwischen Informatik und Economics dich zu entscheiden?

[@KenPlaysYT]

@@AdamHerger Same. I'm also deciding between business-related course and computer-related one :( I don't have a passion for the computer-related one but I was forced to take it because it has in-demand jobs, job stability & high salary

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Adam, from you you said, it seems you could enjoy Computer science as a career and then personal finance as hobby dealing with all the money you made from your computer science career!

[@aintthatright616]

Great video

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@miracle7113]

Hello ! I have another question. I have heard so many times that governments all over the world are thinking about digital money instead of paper money . Probably it is not about USA right now but how any digital changes of banking system can impact finance degree?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I don't think the adoption of digital currencies would increase or decrease the value of a finance degree. Regardless of the currency, finance concepts will still apply. It's just the unit for measuring value will be slightly different. This is all my opinion so take it with a grain of salt haha

[@dharampatel8748]

I have a bachelors in finance and minor in entrepreneurship, but want to learn to code. Do you think a bootcamp or county college/university is the optimal route in terms of $$ and validity? I've heard that there are limitations when job hunting with bootcamp education opposed to college.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I was in a similar situation as you (education in finance but wanting to learn to code). I decided to go the university route. If I could have a do-over on that decision, in hindsight, I'd have either done a bootcamp or self-taught. The reason being that the a computer science degree will have as much math and theory as there is programming. So I feel that I've spent a lot of time on theories and theoretical math that will never be very applicable to the coding I do in quantitative finance. That is just my two cents

[@pepelepew1227]

i got my bachelor in cs and finance from cfa. programmers are not paid a lot in developing countries. finance is more enjoyable imo, you get to interpret a lot of whats going on around and even corrupt intentions. cs in developed countries are paid a lot but i can tell you it's a boring job where most time are spent debugging and managing dumb requests. the smarter you are, the more work you get for the same pay. entrepreneurship wise, someone in finance would definitely do better - you can outsource coding functions (unless you have a large company) but you cant get someone to help make business decisions. in both cases, i would recommend gradually transitioning to an entrepreneurship role instead of being a lifelong employee. you want to balance enjoying the good stuff in life with income instead of buying expensive stuff because you dont have time to properly spend the money. the rich has their own set of problems most cant see.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Really appreciate you contributing your perspective from a developing country. I had not considered folks from developing countries when making this video so I hope people can find this comment for a different perspective. Pinning it to the top

[@johnpinheiro6211]

N

[@anmolacharya309]

Great thought !

[@StEvUgnIn]

Developers are never getting paid enough.

[@vipul354]

Hey there, great video! What do you think about International Business degree, one thats obtained from germany. What kind of average salaries do we look at in the USA, if one has a German International Business degree. I was thinking of computer science but lately ive been thinking twice as computer science requires extreme amount of coding and advanced math. I since childhood have not been fond of math, but on the other hand. I have always had extreme intrest for economics

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Thank you, I am not too familiar with the International Business degree or the average salaries associated with that degree. Given your interests it does sound like economics would be a better fit for you rather than CS. It may be worth trying to take a short Udemy course on each of the subjects that you are contemplating to get a better feel for which one interests you more

[@gilbert5779]

Hopefully my comment doesn’t get lost but I’m currently a finance major going into my sophomore year. However, I am having thoughts of changing my major to computer science. My ultimate goal really is to make money. I don’t mind being at computer all day or talking to people either. Whichever field I decide to go with which one would you recommend? Which one would be better if you live in Texas? Which one is more in demand as well as which one will you gain more income?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Hey Gilbert, you came to the right place with this question as I live in Texas and know lots of people in both fields and have discussed salaries with a lot of people in both fields! As for as I can tell, computer science is currently paying quite a bit more than finance. Also, both fields will likely require you to stare at a computer for most of the day

[@jessicak4223]

A degree in finance produces top compensation in mid and senior level careers IF you receive it from an elite university. This is very similar to a law degree. For the average finance or law degree, don’t expect to make an impressive salary.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Very good point Jessica

[@fyou8771]

Would you recommend doing a major in finance and a minor in computer science? You mentioned that a person gets hired based on how good they can code. If this is how it is couldn't you minor in computer science and then do bootcamp classes?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

You could even skip the computer science minor altogether and just do a BootCamp. The downside to doing a finance major with a computer science minor is that it would likely be a really high course load as the prerequisites don't overlap. And in the workforce, I'm not sure too many people care what someone's college minor was. But it would certainly be a great way to learn to code

[@Rick-tm9pd]

I have a master's in finance. Thinking about doing a masters in information science or computer science. Do you think this will strengthen my position in the job market? And what kind of jobs can I expect after graduating? Thanks!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I'm in a very similar position as you! I have a Masters in Finance and decided to pursue a Masters in Computer Science. I can't tell you what type of jobs you may get from experience because I haven't graduated yet. I think the combination of degrees pairs itself best for jobs in quant finance, quant risk management, or fintech. I think it will definitely strengthen your position in the market!

[@Bbro67]

@@RyanOConnellCFA hey man I am a quantitative finance junior at Stevens institute interested in a masters. I like finance and coding, should I pursue the MFE at my school that I can complete in 1 year or a Masters in Cs i can do in 2 years? Thanks

[@Steph_D_1st]

Pursuing a Masters in Financial Engineering! My BSc is in Electrical/Electronics Engineering

[@melg.8298]

I want to major in finance but the college that I’m going to doesn’t have that. They offer a AA in accounting/business/computer science/ economics and I’m having a hard time deciding which one is worth it. I’m planning to transfer to a 4 yr univ. to get a finance degree. Which one of those is actually worth the risk? I was thinking accounting might do more impact cuz it has to do more with finance… but probably if I do BA it might b diff and CS well I like computers a lot but all the coding and stuff I was never good at it lol anyways I would love to get a feedback from you. Thank you!!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

If you are set on transferring to a new school to go for finance then I think Economics or Accounting would be the best options to get started. I did economics and finance as a double major and there is a lot of crossover

[@KS-vc8um]

Hi Ryan I'm about to finish my bachelor in finance I have experience coding. If I were to get a master in computer science could I still get into investment banking roles. Or would it be better to to do cfa level one and get masters of CS , thanks

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

If your goal is to get into Investment Banking, then in my opinion, a master's in computer science would be an unnecessary use of your time. Getting the CFA would be more relevant (although I've heard the IB industry doesn't care too much about CFA). I think a lot of Investment Banks hire people out of top MBA programs though. So you could consider an MBA after a few years of work experience

[@KS-vc8um]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Thank you I appreciate the feedback.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@KS-vc8um Absolutely bud, good luck with the decision!

[@David-do1gp]

What would your opinions be on MIS? I'm currently in finance looking to double or minor and I noticed that MIS is a similar sort of degree to CS that would cut a considerable amount of time off of my education comparatively. Would you recommend going for one over the other and do you think there would be any tangible differences in job selection, etc? (MIS would be a double, CS would be a minor)

[@OH-vh6vi]

I’ve been looking at this recently myself. I think that Mis is helpful for the business side and when looking at the degree requirements at my school for mis, there are few programming courses.. look at degree requirements for your current Finance major and compare it to the degree requirements for the MIS major at your school. Computer science minor is very difficult at my college and therefore in my opinion it would be more impressive. Then I also think of how I really could just go to a boot camp or in in my own time use KZbin and other resources to build coding skills(doing so would be difficult for someone that isn’t interested).

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Sorry David, I really don't know much about MIS so I hope someone else can come along in the comments more knowledgeable than myself

[@xaviersfinance2664]

I'm torn apart in choosing either to major in CS or Finance 😂 I like work that involves the stock market but the pay is definitely more towards CS and I would have an easier route to a big company like Microsoft due to some connections 🌚

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Haha it is a tough choice and neither is a bad one! Please come back and let me know what you decide in the future

[@user-is6hw3ii5p]

I just have to disagree with you on the future part with regards to finance, because the quantitative part of hypothesis testing and developing financial models to explain returns could never be automated, plus they may lead to uncovering new areas in finance, because they belong to R&D and have the purpose of being innovative. One of these recent uncovered areas is behavioural finance, which may be of practical use in the financial industry one day and is an example of how finance is expanding.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I agree with you that certainly there are areas of finance that could never be automated, and those fields will likely expand in the future. But overall, I think more jobs will be automated away in finance than CS. And in fact, those in CS will be the ones getting paid to automate a lot of the time

[@JJDK485]

@@RyanOConnellCFA well, we have ChatGPT now 😅😅😅

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@JJDK485 Hahaha I don't know which way is up anymore 🤣 Looks like most people in both finance and CS are screwed now

[@ashokmittal5587]

​@@RyanOConnellCFAso which one is better for future now

[@ahmedsaeed2582]

I'm interested in both so I'm gonna go for a course named Financial technology (FinTech) I hope it has good reputation in the market

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

That sounds like a good niche area. Another similar degree could be financial engineering

[@prod.offline]

@@RyanOConnellCFAspeaking of engineering, would computer engineering be closely related to cs, software eng or it? What ways would it be and which not? Sorry,this is all under the presumption that I am able to ask if those would be something you would want to share comparatively.

[@prod.offline]

@@RyanOConnellCFAalso in your opinion, what is the difference between a finance or related degree and a financial engineering degree?

[@kareemabnormal5823]

My main issue with finance is the work life balance. I havent watched your video yet but if finance pays around the same as CS (does it?) and has okay-ish work-life balance where i’d actually be able to enjoy my salary and not get burnt out id go with finance.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Hi there! You're right to consider work-life balance when choosing a career. While some areas in finance can have demanding hours, most finance careers offer a decent work-life balance. All of the finance jobs I've had have had good work life balance but that is also something that I look for. It really depends on the specific field within finance and the company you work for. Just like with computer science, finance salaries can vary but can also be quite competitive.

[@kareemabnormal5823]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Thanks! Your video helped me big time. Keep up the good work.

[@mcdthedev]

i am in that dilema bro i have been offered a scholarship in computer science but i am working as an accountant and wanted to further my career by studying more but i will have to pay for the fees my self

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Sorry for the late reply buddy. I know it's been 4 months since you commented this. What did you end up deciding?

[@manurajput1459]

Finally overall ..... tell you one thing who is better computer science or financ.???????

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Manu, this question is impossible to answer as it differs from person to person. Although I hope people can judge whats best for them based on the categories in the video

[@i_youtube_]

I have bachelor of IT and years of experience in the field. I want to get job in Finance or Accounting. Do you recommend me to do another bachelor in Finance or professional certifications like CFA or CMA?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

This is a tough one John. Some masters in finance programs accept people without a bachelor's in the field. I think your best bet may be to try to get into one of those programs or do the CFA. CFA will be the cheaper and more prestigious option but also a lot more difficult. I have a video breaking down the difference between the two here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHuQgYGBl66Aepo

[@jabrailisali8726]

Great video , I'll definitely choose the Finance.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Thank you for the feedback! Glad you made a good decision haha

[@bee4698]

Hello, I will join college soon but I have trouble choosing between software engineering and finance. do you think someone who doesn't have background knowledge on coding and no interest in it can get into it become successful and can you please tell me what personality traits should a person have to join CS and finance? I am really anxious rn and I would appreciate ur opinion on this

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

If you have no interest in coding, is there another reason you are considering a career in the topic?

[@bee4698]

Thanks for responding! I'm hoping maybe i would get interested after i started class because it involves problem solving....and I'm having a hard time figuring out what my "passion" is😭

[@hakanakbasoglu2390]

Hi currently I am studying economics and data science as my bachelors. I would say that unless you are so passionate about finance and you have your mind 100% that you wanna work in finance related job learn cs and challenge your self. I have always been an economics/finance guy but it is a very old sector and the working hours are crazy. So I'm glad I challenged myself in learning something like data science and coding on top of econ. Most of the money right now is in tech related jobs. You can always get a masters in finance. I don't know if you have already chosen your degree though hope this helps.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@hakanakbasoglu2390 You are right on with a lot of what you said, the money seems to be in tech right now. But that can change

[@maboii5796]

Hey Ryan, hopefully I don't get lost in the comments, but would a double major in finance and Comp sci be a good idea?

[@sapphire3188]

Hiya! Do you know of any universities that have this combination for a joint degree? It seems really interesting!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I think this would be a very valuable combination on the job market but would also be a ton of work!

[@williamkaseu]

What is your favorite thing about computer science?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I like the creativity involved with creating something new! Bringing an idea about a website or an algorithm to fruition is a really mentally stimulating and rewarding task. What about you William?

[@williamkaseu]

@@RyanOConnellCFA I like how computer science helps make a more equitable world, especially in the POC and non-binary communities. As a person of color, I've seen many communities get left behind simply because they lacked access to a certain service. I feel technology can be used to solve many of these issues...

[@daph2859]

What about Major in CS and minor in Finance?

[@dianatomy1259]

Hey Ryan, I am an international student in Austin and in the community college here there is a 4 year program called Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Development. Actually the universities here are very expensive so will this degree be beneficial to get hired, as I have seen international business grads are not hired easily ... The community college thing is making me very doubtful🥺

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I hope no one would hold a stigma against the degree being from a community college but it is definitely hard to be certain. I wish you the best of luck Diana!

[@pepelepew1227]

hope this is not top late. if you are paying international tuition fees, community college is a waste of money. the marketing dept that recruited you lied about the prospects. find a better uni

[@ahmednaeem5729]

I have received offers from University of Birmingham and Middlesex University to study BSc Accounting and Finance. Also, I have received an offer from Heriot Wat University to Study BSc Computer science. Which offer is worth it?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Sorry Ahmed, I don't know enough about any of these universities to give you a good answer. I hope that someone else who is more familiar can give you some feedback in these comments

[@The1997aris]

go with the University of Birmingham program imo...good uni, good major with lots of options in UK business environment

[@nikiduncan396]

Go with which ever degree you think you’d enjoy more based on your subjects education thus far your studying your degree for at least 3 years so you want to enjoy it

[@ishitakaur7502]

Sir I want to make career as an actuary which requires both ,but I can choose only one in +1 either computer science or fmm(financial marketing management). kindly help....

[@ishitakaur7502]

Can I study fmm on my own?? Will it be accepted??

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@ishitakaur7502 I believe it could be quite difficult to get a potential employer to accept your self taught education in finance but I have heard many examples of self taught people in the computer science and programming field having success

[@yosephamsalu16]

seeing the bigger picture I mean MONEY + TECH will definitely work together.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

You got it Yoseph!

[@sambitpatrafanclub7380]

And i am planning to do masters in US not india

[@GurpreetSingh-br9mu]

How long do you have to sit in front of the computer a day ? And what about finance

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

For university, many finance classes involve solving problems with pen and paper and reading from textbooks. Computer Science courses (from what I've seen), typically involve solving homework at the computer. As far as in the real working world, both computer science and financial analyst roles will require you to be at a computer almost the entire day. There are sales related finance roles that have less time at a computer and more time face to face with other people

[@axyy8198]

What about how much math do you need in both of the majors and what kind of math?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

There is definitely higher level math in computer science. Finance at the bachelors level is a lot of math but most of it is stuff you'll have learned in high school

[@axyy8198]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Thank you!

[@smod1861]

is majoring in finance and minoring in cs a good choice?also ive heard of fintech but im not sure about that so im pretty confused right now.Does minoring in cs still offer the same sort of jobs I would be getting if i majored in cs? I’ve personally always liked coding to an extent and also starting my own buisness using my coding skills whether it be a website or an app so i would love to know if i could learn the skill set to do the same even if i majored in finance and minored in cs. Would love to get some answers for these!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I personally would think that minoring in CS would not get you into the same types of jobs as majoring in CS. From my experience, after a few years into your career, no seems to care too much what you minored in. However, minoring in CS could be great for you just from the standpoint of learning how to code sufficiently

[@smod1861]

@@RyanOConnellCFA thanks for answering and i guess that sort of rules out taking up a cs minor then but i guess the whole work load that comes with a cs major just seems too much for me and something that i wouldnt enjoy in the long run but the coding aspect and the topics are really interesting to me which is why im split between finance and cs so would you have any idea as to just how bad the work load in cs is? And also if i do choose to major in finance and minor in cs do you think it would be helpful as in to start a sort of tech start up with skills from cs during college and even after?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@smod1861 to begin a tech startup you would need a lot of time and money. I think it would be quite difficult as a college student. Sure, we hear about it with guys like Zuckerberg and Gates but they had a great combination of luck and genius that just wont work out for most college students so I wouldn't bank on that. As for the workload, the hours will definitely be quite a bit higher in CS. But as for all things in life, if it was easy everyone would do it. And if you can do something that not many people can, you will be very valuable

[@smod1861]

@@RyanOConnellCFA oh ok thankyou

[@sambitpatrafanclub7380]

Well i am economics graduate from india thinking of doing financial engineering but many people say that this degree is fraud and no jobs are available now on wall street. And people alsy say that once AI comes finance majors would be cleaning toilet 😑. Whats your views on this? If this is true should i rather go for computer science/information system is it possible after economics major from india?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

It's true that it is extremely difficult to land a job on Wall Street and it is very unlikely that you will. But this same type of logic can be applied to Computer Science, as it is incredibly hard to land a job in Silicon Valley or at a FAANG company and it is unlikely that you will. Yet both fields, still have plenty of other jobs that pay well and will be available to you (although not as prestigious as Silicon Valley or Wallstreet). Most people who get a Financial Engineering degree (in my opinion) will do well in life and should survive displacements from technological advancement. This is a degree where you learn technical and programming skills that should serve you well in life even with AI growing

[@sambitpatrafanclub7380]

@@RyanOConnellCFA True that but many universities like Baruch, Columbia, CMU, Berkeley, UCLA shows in their placements statistics that almost 99-100% students got placed and an overwhelming majority of them got placed in NY(for financial engineering). Is that true ??

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@sambitpatrafanclub7380 I would think that the majority of Finance students at top universities like the ones you mention would be able to get great jobs in New York. The quality of the university is very important in Finance because a lot of top companies have a set small list of schools that they are willing to recruit from. They are called "target" schools

[@vmsudhanitfinancecourses.6785]

I am BBA graduate i learn html css easily but javascript is very difficult in mind i can't understand that,

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Haha I agree with you on this sentiment. Are you going for a career in front-end development?

[@vmsudhanitfinancecourses.6785]

@@RyanOConnellCFA ,i changed my decision , present i learn global marketing and finance,i interested in investment banking career.

[@damonloke3466]

which major do you personally prefer? finance or computer science, and why?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

That is a difficult question. Finance was easier which possibly made my life more enjoyable as a student. But finishing programming assignments in CS feels very satisfying and accomplishing and will likely lead to a higher paycheck down the road. I don't think I can choose between the two at this point

[@damonloke3466]

@@RyanOConnellCFA ahh i see. im in a dilemma right now deciding whether i shld major in cs and minor in finance or vice versa because im interested in both of these

[@sohilgandhi2820]

I typically prefer a Finance major. Because you need to know about how to manage your money(personal or business) and even though some of Finance might be automated but not all because it is still growing. Hope this helps!👍🏼

[@maboii5796]

@@damonloke3466 what did you ultimately decide to do? I am also thinking the same thing rn with major in comp sci and minor in finance or double major(lot tougher cause classes dont really overlap)

[@damonloke3466]

@@maboii5796 i wouldnt recommend double major unless if you're sure that u can handle the stress and workload that comes with it, then again it depends on the uni. i chose to take business after realising that i wouldnt be able to handle the stress of comp sci, but if ur rlly confident, go for it, im sure u can do it

[@davidp7438]

Hi, great work! I am an Engineer in Telecommunications from South America and I want to pursue a Master Degree in USA, which of these do you recommend me to pursue a Master in CS or a Master in Financial Engineering?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Thank you! And it highly depends on what career or job you are looking for. Do you have an ideal career path you want to follow?

[@davidp7438]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Thank you for replying. My main goal would be to work in the US market, I would love to work in big cities like New York. I would like to work in technology companies but I am also interested in the financial side and I would like to try in a bank in New York. I don't know how easy it is to get a job on Wall Street for a Latin American student from a small country, but with great aspirations in life. I would appreciate if you could give me some advice. Thanks in advance.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@davidp7438 Do you have a preference in working for banks in finance or for working in technology companies? In my opinion, you need to be able to answer this question for yourself and then you will have your final answer!

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@davidp7438 And it will be quite hard to land a job on Wall Street, it is extremely difficult even for those born in the US!

[@davidp7438]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Actually my ultimate goal would be to work in the USA, I barely have 1 year of experience in telecommunications. It doesn't matter if it is a technology company or a finance company, but since I want to start my own company in the future, maybe the master's degree in Computer Science would suit me better than the master's degree in Financial Engineering. To study in the USA I would have to get a loan, but I am afraid of finishing my master's degree and not getting a job that will allow me to stay in the USA. What would you recommend?

[@fubu7942]

Why not not both? Fintech is a legitimate field that combines both computer science and finance.

[@haanimator3814]

Doing bs in accounting and finance and then acca is it good path to start career??

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

That would certainly put you on a great track to land a good job and be successful!

[@haanimator3814]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Should I start bs with acca OR 1st I go for bs then take 9 exemption then do ACCA ??

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@haanimator3814 Sorry, I'm not going to be a whole lot of help on the order of these as I have never done the ACCA personally and do not know too much about it other than that it is respected

[@elijahrosstv]

How difficult is upper level finance courses?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Some of them are pretty tough (like derivatives) but if you are decent with math, you should be able to handle them

[@vaclemor102]

Why not go with both XD I have an INFO TEC degree and traded billions of dollars in mutual funds and stocks

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Now that is not a bad idea!

[@BrandonSmith-oe5gk]

What’s your opinion on a double degree in both finance and computer science?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Are you talking about 2 bachelors degrees? I think it could make more sense to get a bachelors in computer science followed by a masters in financial engineering. There would be good synergy there. I'm not sure about a double bachelors degree however without knowing how many courses the second major would add

[@BrandonSmith-oe5gk]

@@RyanOConnellCFA yes, 2 bachelors degrees in the span of 5 years. All electives are replaces by only core courses required by each degree. Not sure if it’s all that worth it because it makes the university experience heavier, which means less time for side projects for getting a job in cs. Thanks for replying!

[@pepelepew1227]

@@BrandonSmith-oe5gk choose based on what you want for a day job. contact as many people on linkedin and a few will bite. ask them for advice over a quick coffee.

[@yashjatt2745]

hello @Ryan O'Connell, CFA, FRM as we can see, you have completed your CFA & FRM. do you think those certifications helped you in getting a job? i know they are gold standard in finance but did they actually help to cut out the competition along with msc Finance. i am at the same situation like you so that would be really helpful if you light me up with some ground reality. btw i am going for masters in finance UK University along with CFA. do you think that would be enough to secure a job in the market. we have to think all these stuff as we are overseas students.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Hello! I definitely think these qualifications have helped me to land interviews. Before I had them, I could send out a ton of job applications and never hear back about most of them. After completing the CFA and FRM, I will typically at least get an interview. However, that could also be explained by my increased work experience over the same time horizon. It is difficult to say

[@yashjatt2745]

@@RyanOConnellCFA ok thanks for answering, it kinda helped.

[@truth8069]

Is it good to learn SAP with Business.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Depends on the field. I don't think it is that important for most Finance or Computer Science jobs

[@k.j.k.]

what would u say is better for work-life balance?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

It is tough to say. There are areas in both with good work life balance and areas in both with bad work life balance (such as investment banking and game development)

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@tiagomoraes1510 Haha true it can be rough staring at a screen 8 hours straight everyday. A lot of days I wish I worked outside

[@jonathanchowkai3654]

What about a major in finance and minor in computer science

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

This would be a highly valuable combination to a lot of employers

[@BSK2501]

Hey Ryan , I'm an IGCSE students asked to choose my subjects here in the Middle East . I'm confused between Computer Science or Coomerce(Economic,a Accounts , Buisness) . My goal is to earn alot of money plus have a value . please help me . I'm equally interested in Math and Computer Science .As well , I like buisness tooo . Please help me It's been stressful . (Any suggestions are welcome :)))

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Hello! I'm not too familiar with the job market in the Middle east. If your goal is to earn lots of money, then you may want to start by researching the average salaries upon graduation for each of those majors in your specific country

[@BSK2501]

@@RyanOConnellCFA I want to settle in European Countries in my life . Could you tell me about the place where you live?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@BSK2501 I live in Dallas, Texas in the US. Both finance and computer science are pretty well in demand here. You may want to do some research on the job markets for those careers in the countries you're interested in moving to. Including the average salaries and potential for upward mobility

[@BSK2501]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Alright , Thanks alot

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@BSK2501 Absolutely, best of luck to you my friend

[@drewmclendon5870]

What are your thoughts on majoring in Finance and minoring in CS? Or major in CS and minor in Finance?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I love this idea. In fact, if I had to do my Bachelors degree over again I'd go this route. Programming skills are becomming increasingly valuable in finance. Doing either of these combinations make sense if you want to work in financial institutions. If you major in finance and minor in CS, you'll be looking at a financial analyst type of role but you'll likely be one of the best analysts at programming which makes you valuable. If you major in CS and minor in finance then you may be headed more towards a job in the IT or development department of a financial institution, Just my two cents!

[@drewmclendon5870]

@@RyanOConnellCFA This is exactly what I needed, thank you

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@drewmclendon5870 Absolutely Drew, best of luck in your decision

[@miracle7113]

Thank you 🙏

[@miracle7113]

Can you tell about some important moments choosing University for studying finance ? Should we pay attention on rating ? Private or public ?

[@FcoGalaz]

Why MCIT instead of OMSCS?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Hello Francisco. A big reason was that the MCIT is geared specifically towards people like myself without a computer science bachelor's. Another reason is that UPenn had a better reputation than Georgia Tech in my opinion. Although, I know not everyone feels the same way about that

[@FcoGalaz]

@@RyanOConnellCFA I see. Valid points. Yeah upenn sounds more prestigious, but I think that is because we come from the finance/business field. I have a BBA and Msc finance and now want to pursue a msc in cs. What I like about OMSCS is the price/tuition, and the variety of courses. I hve a friend doing the upenn MCIT, Thomas Koenig, he is also a CFA.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@FcoGalaz The price is so much but for Georgia Tech (I think 1/3rd the price?). And in hindsight, I'd definitely rather save $20,000 to get the Georgia Tech degree instead of the UPenn degree. I do think OMSCS would be a bit more difficult coming from the finance background tho. That is awesome! I haven't crossed paths with him yet (I guess thats a downside of online classes haha)

[@FcoGalaz]

@@RyanOConnellCFA true. I still have to decide which I will choose. Thanks for your reply.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@FcoGalaz Please let me know when you've made the decision and good luck!

[@God7OD]

I'll do whatever makes the most money.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

My roommate in college was taught by his parents "all jobs suck, so do whichever one pays the most money" lol

[@pawterikomaceiro7622]

bump

[@husseinarslan7173]

Fianance is good salary or no

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

It is better than most fields

[@carlosantoniogr5463]

A computer science guy could get a master in finance?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Absolutely, there are many MS Finance programs that accept people that do not have a bachelors or background in finance.

[@jonathanbell9L]

Why does the chair make you look like stephen hawkings?

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

That is the exact look I'm going for

[@Junkdogray5807]

Just like my bi friend said why not do both. 😂

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Can't argue with that logic 😂

[@nycto16]

No one can beat Finance! It's damn high paying, based on real life and the most biggest thing it's the study of "money" which is the most important thing. computer science looks boring to me and it's not that much high paying as compared to finance even mostly CS grads are unemployed in many parts of the world. Finance is highly employable.

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

I'm a big fan of Finance as well! But my claim that Computer Science majors have higher starting salaries on average than Finance majors was not based on anecdotes. I based it on the sources with the most salary data. www.glassdoor.com/blog/50-highest-paying-college-majors/ www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-college-majors-with-the-highest-starting-salaries www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/majors-that-pay-you-back

[@nycto16]

@@RyanOConnellCFA Finance has also highest starting salary. Investment Banking jobs are damn high paying since start, same with wealth management and more..

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

@@nycto16 Did you look at any of the links I posted? If we are talking about high paying outlier jobs don't forget about FANG software developers for Computer Science Majors! Those jobs start at like 250k. But you're correct that investment banking is very lucrative as well

[@maditya4341]

I absolutely agree with you

[@nycto16]

@@RyanOConnellCFA I'm talking about generally not FANG specific. Many computer science graduates are jobless in Asia. But there's no country which doesn't need finance professionals. And Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey employees starting salary is so high not only salary best thing about finance is that you get extra bonuses and compensations.

[@YoungEli9]

I want to get in finance & ethical hacking but my intuition tells me knowing those two fields together I should have a good lawyer

[@RyanOConnellCFA]

Lol you may be right about the lawyer! Just emphasize the word "ethical" in your job description