Concentration 64: Finance & OIDD
Written By Kendall Allen (W’25); Edited by Emma Conrad (W’24)
The most popular of the undergraduate concentrations, the Finance concentration, is favored amongst those considering careers in asset management, investment banking, the financial sector of commercial and industrial enterprises, venture capital, and management consulting. Given the flexibility of this path, many students also concentrate in Finance with the intention of obtaining an MBA, attending law school, or working in the public sector. Students are also able to pursue a generalized Finance concentration or a “specialized track,” being Corporate Finance, Capital Markets and Banking, Private Equity and Venture Capital, Investments, or Quantitative Finance. To complete the concentration, students must take FNCE 100 and 101 as well as four additional courses offered by the Wharton Finance Department.
Colloquially referred to as OID, the concentration in Operations, Information, and Decisions focuses on disciplines of decisions processes, management information systems, management science, and operations management. This concentration is suited for students interested in managing the manufacturing and distribution of products and services as well as applying analytic approaches to decision making using computer-based management systems. Like most other concentrations, OIDD consists of 4.0 credit units, and Wharton offers several designated tracks within the program: Decision Processes, Information Systems, and Operations Management/Management Science.
In order to truly understand what it is like to concentrate in both Finance and OID, the Walnut Street Journal spoke with Wharton second-year Melanie Sporn to discuss her experience.
1) What initially drew you to your concentrations? What was the first course that you took that convinced you it was right for you?
I have always known that regardless of my career path, I want to do something quantitatively oriented. The practicality of the OIDD and Finance concentrations initially appealed to me, and my suspicions were confirmed after taking OIDD 101 and Finance 100. I realized that these foundational courses could potentially be the basis for a career. In Finance 100, it was fascinating to analyze the ways in which quantitative information interacts with current events; it goes without saying that I will always need to have a grasp on finances. In OIDD 101, I was captivated by the opportunity to study system processes and the role that data functions may play. Though the concentrations differ in their approaches, I’ve found that they have created a unique combination, leaving me prepared for a variety of roles.
2) Which classes are you planning to take to fulfill your concentrations and why?
To be honest it’s been quite difficult for me to determine the courses I want to take to fulfill my concentrations; they all sound appealing and would provide me with valuable knowledge. Tentatively, my plan is to take Finance 403 and Psyc 265 to fulfill the OIDD concentration; these two courses will give me a taste of how established concepts in OIDD can be applied to new disciplines. Finance has a number of different paths within the concentration. I have yet to figure out which path I would like to take, which will ultimately determine the courses I enroll in.
3) Overall, do you think one's concentration has a substantial impact on their Wharton education? How much has it impacted you?
Though one’s concentration certainly gives insight and a deeper understanding, it is most definitely not a make-or-break decision. A concentration entails just a few additional classes, and concentrations can be switched even late in your academic career. That’s one of the things that attracted me to Wharton; I didn't have to pretend that I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I’ve switched my concentration along the way as I discovered new areas of interest. My concentration has opened new doors for me, but I wouldn’t say it’s been an extreme factor in my education.
4) What future plans might you want to pursue and how do they relate to your concentrations? Would you say that the concentrations allow for flexibility regarding career paths?
I have yet to determine exactly what my future plans may entail, but I could see myself pursuing an MBA or going to law school after working for a few years. Though I don’t think my concentration has had a great impact on these aspirations, my passion for OIDD and Finance is reaffirmed when I take classes that show me ways in which my learning may be directly applied to my future career. The foundational coursework that every Wharton student is required to take has shaped my vision, and I am extremely fortunate that my concentrations have been able to round out my education.
5) If you had to make this judgment, where would you say your concentrations rank in terms of difficulty and popularity?
Finance is undoubtedly the most popular concentration, and its difficulty varies depending on the track selected (i.e. Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Venture Capital, etc.). Although students overall find the concentration to be manageable, there are certainly some courses known for being especially challenging. Personally, I would say that my passion for the subject matter has made classes extremely enjoyable - even those known to be demanding.
As for OIDD, there are also multiple tracks available for selection that affect difficulty, but I’ve found my classes to be relatively straightforward. Based on the selections of my peers, I would estimate that OIDD is about “average” in terms of its popularity.
6) Are there any places you apply your concentrations in your time at Penn? (ie do you have any leadership roles in finance, etc.)
Applying my concentration in extracurricular pursuits has undoubtedly been one of the most fulfilling experiences at Wharton. Even in leadership positions, I don’t necessarily expect to involve components of Finance or OIDD, but I always end up finding applications of my concentrations. One of my largest time commitments is serving as Vice President of Finance for my sorority, Alpha Phi. With approximately half a million dollars to the chapter’s name, budgeting, allocating, and managing the money has been one of the most valuable real-world experiences.