What should I major in?

[Al B. Sure!]

huh... maybe i've wasted a year already taking business core classes! maybe I should be shooting for a 3.9 GPA in liberal arts!

something doesn't seem right about this though... yes, I can go to an MBA program with a non-business major but wouldn't i be behind the other students as I wouldn't have taken courses in business? or would i be able to get a business-related job before grad school that I can use as experience for an MBA? basically, suppose i try for a degree in philosophy... could i get an internship at all? would i be able to get a job at some corporate mailroom or records office with a philosophy degree as opposed to a degree in finance?

[Al B. Sure!]

can i get some input on this?

[Zopperoni]

Now, I have to add that I have spoken multiple recruiters during my university period. This is what it usually boils down to for economic/management jobs:

- an academic degree is the indicator of intellectual ability;
- a specialization in an economic/management area is preferred because of the familiarity with terms like NPV and SWOT;
- hard skills > soft skills; at least over here. Companies like people who have finished a technical study (like civil engineering or aerospace engineering) because these people tend to have greater analytical skills, as opposed to philosophers or socio-cultural grads that are more "bla bla".

OTOH, Carly Fiorina made it to being the CEO of Hewlett-Packard with her philosophy degree... but notice how she completely farked up the company

[Al B. Sure!]

if I were to major in philosophy and get a 3.9 GPA, would it be better than majoring in Finance and getting a 3.5?

that's one of the things that's getting me... 'soft skills' are something i'm too good at...

of course if i were to switch to a technical study like engineering or biology, i would be in school for 5 or 6 years instead of 4 because i would have taken none of those courses over the past 2 years.

i dont know... i'm just confused. would it make more sense for me, someone aspiring for an MBA but somewhat of a polymath interested in everything, to major in Finance or to major in philosophy or to major in science/engineering/healthcare/whatever? What would get me the job pre-grad school that would provide me with the proper experience for admission to a top MBA program? I'm scared I'll be flipping burgers with a philosophy degree or starting a technical career with engineering.

[Ted Striker]

Originally posted by Kontiki
If you actually want to do any of things on that list after you graduate, focus your efforts on that. If none of those things in particular grabs you, or you plan on going to grad school, you might be better served by taking a more broad approach.

Oh, and Actuarial Science is basically about calculating probabilities of outcomes as they relate to people - ie. risks of death etc. for insurance purposes. It can be quite lucrative, and is almost certainly filled with the most dull nerds who walk the face of the earth.

That's true. We did have the UBER hottie that majored in it at our school, it was very funny to see her among her peers. Man she was smoking.

I'd hit it.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Albert Speer
I do plan to go on to grad school... hopefully Wharton but, if failing that, Temple's Fox School.

so, kontiki, do you suggest going the management/major route if I'm going on to grad school?

Many MBA (or other business) degrees require you to have working experience, sometimes 5 years or more.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Japher
Sounds like a high paying job that will bore your socks off.

MIS generally deals with databases and writing reports for your managers. Boring, and doesn't pay well.

[Sikander]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Something associated with the health care/medical industry.
Pharmacist maybe.

That's good advice. My gf is a pharmacist and makes more money than my friends who are doctors (though none of them are in really lucrative specialties). Plus you finish school sooner so you make money sooner and have a good deal less debt, and no internships or residencies either.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Albert Speer
i dont know... i'm just confused. would it make more sense for me, someone aspiring for an MBA but somewhat of a polymath interested in everything, to major in Finance or to major in philosophy or to major in science/engineering/healthcare/whatever?

Ask yourself, what is that you would like to do everyday* until you retire?



* Excluding holidays and possibly unemployment.

[Ramo]

The most practical options on that list are probably the accounting and actuarial plans. The latter would require more math than the former (and take a decent probability course to make sure being an actuary wouldn't bore the hell out of you or wouldn't too difficult for you).

All that management crap seems useless. If you want those skills, probably it'd be best to get an MBA after you finish a more substantial undergrad degree.

[Japher]

AS, CEO and chairman of the board for Johnson&Johnson has a BS in Biology, and that is it.

IMO, tailor yourself to the job you some day want. Don't let fear of flipping burgers guide you. Rather, use your education as a stepping stone for what is to come next. Also, don't take advantage of school by taking the easy way out. Work on those aspects of yourself that needs improving.

If I were you, AS, I wouldn't major in poly sci. or philosophy or buisness. I think you would find finance or marketing more exciting and rewarding. But then, that is coming from someone who only knows you from these boards.

[Japher]

Check this out:http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2005/jul/15mba.htm

an argument between Finance vs. Marketing MBA programs for their ability to produce better CEOs.

I still stand firm, with the others, that AS shouldn't move directly into an MBA program, but this is still something to consider, for I think he will get to the MBA one day, and a god foundation should be laid.

Marketing or Finance?

[Al B. Sure!]

I'm fairly, but not especially, outgoing so... Finance it is.

besides, i found the stuff they taught in my marketing classes to be very vague, reminiscient of all the management and HR crap. The successes and failures of marketing departments of various companies was interesting and seemed worthwhile, but something about it turned me off. it didn't seem like i was really learning anything... only common sense things and vague things about product placement and product mixes.

[Zkribbler]

Management/Healthcare

Growing field. You'll make a fortune.

[Tingkai]

Forgot about future jobs for a second. What would you really be interested in studying?

Let's say you're into history. You could do that as a major. You'll likely get high marks because you enjoy it so that will help you get into grad school. You can also take some business courses on the side. You might even be able to do a double major.