Hello, I have a question that I’ve been reflecting on. My long-term goal is to establish my own company after gaining experience in Investment Banking (IB), Hedge Funds, or the Fintech sector. However, considering the evolving world and my personal development, I am torn between choosing a major: Mathematics/Physics vs. Economics. I’ve outlined my background and observations below and would appreciate your insights.
Personal Context:
I began my focused journey into mathematics and serious reading at the age of 16; I am now 18. I am deeply hungry to enhance my analytical intelligence, and my intellectual curiosity is growing daily. I am aware that I started later than some of my peers, and I know I am not a "Ramanujan." Because I encountered certain concepts later in life, I sometimes feel I haven't yet fully achieved that "natural intuition" or processing speed possessed by those raised with this formation from early childhood. Since adolescence is a critical period for cognitive development, I want to reach my peak mental potential before this stage ends. I am determined to reach the highest level of success by leveraging my intellect.
My Observations:
• The Industry Reality: In Turkey, 15 out of the top 20 influential figures in economics come from Business or Engineering backgrounds (mostly the latter).
• Global Leadership: Among the CEOs of the world's top 5 finance and top 5 fintech companies, the majority (3 out of 5 in each category) hold degrees outside of Economics.
• Skill Acquisition: While economics is a domain knowledge that can be acquired later, a mathematical mindset is a fundamental foundation that is much harder to build if not established early.
• Academic Trends: Nearly all Nobel Prizes in Economics over the last 20 years have been awarded for work rooted in advanced econometrics, game theory, and mathematical modeling.
• Future Competencies: Reports from the WEF and McKinsey emphasize that in an era of technological transformation, "High-Level Cognitive Skills" and self-management are the most critical competencies for the future.
Posted by QuantQuake