comp language for Econ?

[Zay60]

I'm completing a master's in applied economics, but would like to know how relevant this degree is in getting into the field of investment banking (front, middle, back office), hedge funds, private equity...basically I'm looking to work on Wall Street or a similiar field....I've noticed that alot of graduate economics programs don't offer computer language courses i.e. SQL, Visual Basics, Java, C++

I have the option of taking the above courses:
introduction to programming using Java,
Corporate Real Estate,
Capital Real Estate Markets, or
Commercial Lease Analysis

And would like to know which courses are relevant, Do alot of Quantitative Analysts need program know programming languages?

[Ancalagon The Black]

Knowledge of a high level programming language like C++ or Java would not go amiss.

[shootermcgavin7]

Originally Posted by Zay60

I've noticed that alot of graduate economics programs don't offer computer language courses i.e. SQL, Visual Basics, Java, C++

No, but a lot of graduate programs that funnel directly into Wall Street (usually named Mathematical Risk Management or Quantitative Finance or Computational Finance or something else of that sort) heavily emphasis these languages.

C++ would be the best bet of any that you've mentioned.

[chartreuse]

SQL, Visual Basics, Java, C++ --- these are all useful if you plan on going into quant modelling - do you want to really build algorithms and models for traders or trading systems? If so, go for it. For i-banking, just know Ms Office - Excel, Word and Powerpoint. The comp skills you need for different areas of finance vary according to the role and position.