Liberal Arts Major? You Can Still Get In.
Goldman Sachs holds special recruiting sessions for liberal arts majors. BlackRock's COO actively seeks them out. Here's why—and how to position yourself.
Fact: History is one of the most common degrees among investment bankers and traders. Your major isn't the problem—how you position it might be.
Why Banks Actually Want Liberal Arts Majors
This isn't charity. Banks have specific reasons to hire people who studied something other than finance.
Different Thinking
Liberal arts training teaches you to question assumptions and think from multiple angles. Finance teams full of finance majors can develop blind spots.
Communication Skills
You can write clearly and explain complex ideas. Most finance majors can't. This matters when you're presenting to clients.
Understanding Human Behavior
History and literature teach you why people make decisions. Markets are driven by human psychology, not just spreadsheets.
Client Relationships
You can carry a conversation beyond stock prices. Clients are people. They want bankers who are interesting, not just technical.
"In studying history, you are trying to figure out why people made decisions... Investment banking also involves similar efforts to analyze and weigh information and then draw conclusions."
— Goldman Sachs Managing Director, History Major
What You Need to Compensate
Your major is fine. But you need to prove you can do the technical work.
Take Finance & Accounting Courses
At minimum: Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Investments. If your school doesn't offer them, take them online or at a community college.
Learn Financial Modeling
Complete a Wall Street Prep, BIWS, or CFI course. Build models in Excel. This proves you can do the technical work.
Get a Finance Internship
Any finance experience—even corporate finance at a random company—proves you've tested your interest and can do the work.
Maintain a High GPA
A 3.8 in English signals intellectual capability. A 3.2 gives them an excuse to filter you out.
Keep Standardized Test Scores on Resume
A 1550 SAT or 35 ACT signals analytical ability regardless of major. Keep it on until you have enough work experience.
How to Position Your Major in Interviews
When they ask "Why didn't you major in finance?"
Don't be defensive. Be confident.
"I chose history because I'm genuinely interested in understanding why events unfold the way they do. That's the same skill set I apply to analyzing companies—understanding the narrative behind the numbers, what's driving management decisions, and where the industry is heading. I've supplemented that with [finance courses/modeling training/internship] to build the technical foundation."
Frame your major as an asset, not an obstacle:
- History: "I analyze why decisions were made with incomplete information—same skill for evaluating management teams"
- English: "I communicate complex ideas clearly—critical when explaining deals to clients"
- Political Science: "I understand how power structures and incentives drive decisions—directly applicable to M&A"
- Philosophy: "I construct rigorous arguments and identify logical flaws—essential for investment theses"
Real People Who Did This
29-year-old hedge fund founder who majored in History at Harvard now exclusively hires liberal arts majors
BlackRock COO has stated the firm wants to recruit analysts who 'have nothing to do with finance or technology'
Goldman Sachs holds dedicated recruiting sessions specifically for liberal arts majors
Multiple bank managing directors came from English, History, and Philosophy backgrounds
Which Finance Paths Work Best for Liberal Arts
Strong Fit
- • Investment Banking (client-facing, communication-heavy)
- • Sales & Trading (relationship skills matter)
- • Equity Research (writing and analysis)
- • Wealth Management (client relationships)
Possible With Extra Prep
- • Private Equity (need IB first, then your skills transfer)
- • Hedge Funds (if you can demonstrate analytical rigor)
- • Corporate Finance (learn the technical skills)
Harder Fit
- • Quantitative roles (need math/stats background)
- • Financial engineering (need technical degree)
Need Help Positioning Your Liberal Arts Background?
Your resume needs to show why your major is an asset, not explain it away. We can help you frame it right.