Could you do something more quantitative at Trinity? Generally more hard and quantitative keeps your options open better i.e. maths keeps your options open better than economics, and that keeps your options open better than finance.
I’d focus on options open more than prep for earning to give at this stage, however, if you were going for earning to give, then quantitative subjects like statistics, applied maths, engineering, and physics are also associated with the highest earnings. Though finance can be fine too.
I see that at Trinity you could also do pure economics, or you could do maths and economics or maths and philosophy. Maths and philosophy can be a great option if you’re into it. From our recent profile:
In our view, philosophy is a good subject to study at undergraduate level if it’s taken in combination with a quantitative subject, like maths, computer science, or economics, because it teaches you how to write clearly, how to think clearly, and because certain issues in moral philosophy seem to us to be crucial in determining how to live your life. It’s a weaker all-purpose qualification than quantitative subjects, so we’d encourage undergraduates not to single-major in philosophy if they have the option of also majoring in a quantitative subject.
i.e. you can get both writing skills and quantitative skills, learn about important topics in the humanities, and get an impressive general purpose qualification.
I think the fame of the university you go to is worth putting some weight on, though it’s a tricky issue. So, in general I’d say Trinity.
Finally, don’t forget personal fit. Don’t take a course you think you’ll be bad at or really won’t enjoy!
I should also say that even just from the perspective of maximising earnings, finance may not be ideal, since it doesn’t keep your options open as much. If the finance sector shrinks (which doesn’t seem unlikely) then the qualification may end up being less useful than it seems.
Broader applied maths skills don’t have that problem.
Could you do something more quantitative at Trinity? Generally more hard and quantitative keeps your options open better i.e. maths keeps your options open better than economics, and that keeps your options open better than finance.
I’d focus on options open more than prep for earning to give at this stage, however, if you were going for earning to give, then quantitative subjects like statistics, applied maths, engineering, and physics are also associated with the highest earnings. Though finance can be fine too.
I see that at Trinity you could also do pure economics, or you could do maths and economics or maths and philosophy. Maths and philosophy can be a great option if you’re into it. From our recent profile:
https://80000hours.org/career-guide/top-careers/profiles/philosophy-phd/
i.e. you can get both writing skills and quantitative skills, learn about important topics in the humanities, and get an impressive general purpose qualification.
I think the fame of the university you go to is worth putting some weight on, though it’s a tricky issue. So, in general I’d say Trinity.
Finally, don’t forget personal fit. Don’t take a course you think you’ll be bad at or really won’t enjoy!
Some more thoughts here: https://80000hours.org/2013/11/summary-of-our-thoughts-on-how-to-pick-a-degree/
I should also say that even just from the perspective of maximising earnings, finance may not be ideal, since it doesn’t keep your options open as much. If the finance sector shrinks (which doesn’t seem unlikely) then the qualification may end up being less useful than it seems.
Broader applied maths skills don’t have that problem.