Can anyone offer me advice about changing my major (still in business though)?

[Dead of Knight]

I tried posting this on another board but no one replied. I figure there are older, more mature people on this board who can offer advice on this, which could affect the rest of my life.

Well I'm a sophomore now, almost a junior, and I'm finally out of my intro accounting classes. And I'm starting to hate it really bad. I don't like how you don't really HELP your business run better, you're just analyzing and auditing reports from things that the business has already generated. You're not actually doing ANYTHING for the company except side work. Keep in mind I'm very good at accounting compared to my peers in my classes, it's not that I suck at it.

I know I still want to do business for sure, the question is which specialization. I'm learning towards a double in finance and operations management, which I can do without any extra time in school. Finance seems like it could be too broad if majored in alone, so I wanted to add something to it in the form of operations management. Does anyone know any specific stuff about operations management? You're not always working in industry, are you? From what I understand from the classes I've taken, you're developing models and solutions to run the company more efficiently, which interests me. Other specialization/major options my school has include:

Aviation Management*
Economics
Management and Information Systems*
International Business*
Human Resources*
Logistics
Marketing*
Real Estate and Urban Analysis
Risk Management and Insurance*

Ones with an * are the ones that are out of the question. If you have any experience in a business program, please tell me what you think, especially if you think a finance/operations management major would be helpful or useless. I know you can have an accounting degree and not do accounting, but I don't see the point in getting an accounting degree when I KNOW I don't want to do it, period. I think my time would be better spent on another specialization.


Of course, I'm talking this over with advisers, friends, family, etc. I just wanted some other people's opinions who may have possibly gone through this same thing. Thanks.

[Reality's Fringe]

Have you taken any classes in those listed fields? I suck at career advice, but I have to tell you to go with what you enjoy. It took me two years to decide to become an Econ major. It's hard, but it's the only thing I've consistently enjoyed (I find it interesting that your Economics program is offered under the business school, when it's not really a "business" degree, per say).

[Dead of Knight]

Crap. I had this whole reply written up then somehow hit the back button.

I totally knew you would post in this topic, RF. ;) OSU actually offers economics from the business school AND from the social and behavioral sciences college. It's pretty interesting, and you can pick which college you want to take it out of depending on what you want out of your degree.

And I've only taken courses out of the ones listed in accounting, op mgt, and econ. Everyone has to take core courses in most of the specializations I listed (accounting, op mgt, econ, finance, HR, marketing, international business), though this is not generally done until junior year, and I DEFINITELY have to wait to take them since they are part of the program I'm in for junior year (I'll be taking honors versions of most of the core courses). I suppose I could wait to change my major until I am sure about the one(s) I want to change to after taking the core classes junior year, but I know for sure accounting can suck my ass, and that I don't want to do it.

[TheBlueWizard]

Leave business, go into engineering.

Just kidding.

I don't have any experience with being in a business program, but if you are at all interested, I would consider international business. Lots and lots of companies are leaving the US for the Asian markets and international business would really help with that. I'd also seriously consider learning some Chinese.....lots of our execs are there all of the time. Its going to be a huge, huge market for many people for the next couple of decades at least.

TBW

[Admiral Ackbar]

Poly Sci, Why try!

[kell]

Your situation sounds familar. Let me tell you where I am coming from - I graduated with a BA in Accounting and did CPA work for a few years. I hated auditing so I went back and got my MBA in Supply Chain Mgt (Logistics). I used my MBA to switch fields as it can be difficult to switch without taking a hit financially.

Not sure about the Operations Managament that you speak of, but is sounds like Strategy. This can be a difficult field to get into. In consulting, it is typically the elite consultants that do that type of work and in Corporations it is usually the Senior Leadership that deals with Strategy (at large companies) so it might be years before you would see it.

The problem with broad fields it that it can be difficult to find jobs without experience.

My advice would be to look at what type of career you want and then decide what major can help you the most. Do some serious research and find out what people do on a day to day basis and compare that with what you enjoy doing. School tends to simplfy things and doesn't prepare you for the day to day grind. It is rare for recent college grads to get involved with operations management.

If you don't know what you want to do yet Economics and Operations Mgt might be your best options.

[Dead of Knight]

I don't have any experience with being in a business program, but if you are at all interested, I would consider international business. Lots and lots of companies are leaving the US for the Asian markets and international business would really help with that. I'd also seriously consider learning some Chinese.....lots of our execs are there all of the time. Its going to be a huge, huge market for many people for the next couple of decades at least.

TBW

Thanks for the perspective. I think it's pretty much out of the question for me as I don't want to travel very much when I work. My dad travels all the fucking time and he just works at a bank that's mainly centered in the Northeast. I think the travel would increase by several times that if I did international business. Plus I need to take several quarters of a language as well, which I know is very useful, but I don't have the time for it if I am going to do a double major (which would be a must if I did international business).

Poly Sci, Why try!
:lol: My boyfriend majored in that for undergrad. He still regrets it to this very day.

Your situation sounds familar. Let me tell you where I am coming from - I graduated with a BA in Accounting and did CPA work for a few years. I hated auditing so I went back and got my MBA in Supply Chain Mgt (Logistics). I used my MBA to switch fields as it can be difficult to switch without taking a hit financially.

Not sure about the Operations Managament that you speak of, but is sounds like Strategy. This can be a difficult field to get into. In consulting, it is typically the elite consultants that do that type of work and in Corporations it is usually the Senior Leadership that deals with Strategy (at large companies) so it might be years before you would see it.

The problem with broad fields it that it can be difficult to find jobs without experience.

My advice would be to look at what type of career you want and then decide what major can help you the most. Do some serious research and find out what people do on a day to day basis and compare that with what you enjoy doing. School tends to simplfy things and doesn't prepare you for the day to day grind. It is rare for recent college grads to get involved with operations management.

If you don't know what you want to do yet Economics and Operations Mgt might be your best options.
Wow, this is a good post. Let me refer you to what my college claims is op mgt:
Operations Management

Operations management is the systematic direction and control of the processes that transform inputs into finished goods and services. The operations function comprises a significant percentage of the employees and physical assets in most organizations. Operations managers are concerned with each step in providing a service or product. They determine what should go into an operating system such as equipment, labor, tools, facilities, materials, energy, and information and how these inputs can best be obtained and used to satisfy the requirements of the market place. Managers are also responsible for critical activities such as quality management and control, capacity planning, materials management, purchasing, and scheduling.
Please give me feedback on what you think of that. ;)

Also, it just so happens that I go to one of the top, top schools in the nation for logistics. What do you do in your job? Could you describe it for me? I would be interested in going into logistics if it sounds like something I'd like to do.

[kell]

Please give me feedback on what you think of that. ;)

Also, it just so happens that I go to one of the top, top schools in the nation for logistics. What do you do in your job? Could you describe it for me? I would be interested in going into logistics if it sounds like something I'd like to do.

I have to get going for now, but I will follow up later and give you more info.

OSU = The Ohio State University?

[Dead of Knight]

I have to get going for now, but I will follow up later and give you more info.

OSU = The Ohio State University?

No problem!! I appreciate it. Yes, OSU. They claim we're one of the best in the nation for logistics, but they could be bsing. ;)

[spidey]

Have you taken any classes in those listed fields? I suck at career advice, but I have to tell you to go with what you enjoy. It took me two years to decide to become an Econ major. It's hard, but it's the only thing I've consistently enjoyed (I find it interesting that your Economics program is offered under the business school, when it's not really a "business" degree, per say).

What kind of opportunities are there for someone graduating with a BA in Econ?

[afedock]

Leave business, go into engineering.

TBW

Hah, this is what I was going to say...and remember, Electrical Engineers are the pimps of the Engineers

[dopa345]

I did a combined degree including an MBA and I would suggest either operations management or economics though that's in the context from my perspective in the health care industry.

[Dead of Knight]

Hah, this is what I was going to say...and remember, Electrical Engineers are the pimps of the Engineers
I suck ass at science-type classes. I know I would struggle in any engineering or science-based field no matter how cool it would be to have a job like that. I'm not gonna be like one of those idiots who sucks terribly at their major. I'm playing on my strengths with business more than I ever would with engineering.

[soulvengeance]

It depends what you like doing. My friend has his MBA in human resources and he loves it. Do you like talking to people, do you like numbers, I think it's really dependant on that.

[jmcc]

Hah, this is what I was going to say...and remember, Electrical Engineers are the pimps of the EngineersWhich makes them 13425603rd pimpest overall.

[Dead of Knight]

Which makes them 13425603rd pimpest overall.
:lol:

[DQT]

I'm an accounting major, and it's really rough. Accounting may be perceived as side work, and accountants may seem like the people bosses and marketing people ignore, but the fact of the matter is they have a clear view of how a company operates. (assuming the company isn't huge) That in itself is pretty powerful.

Finance may seem somewhat broad, but what it comes down to is paying for( and choosing) profitable projects and finding out how much stocks and bonds are worth. At least thats what I got from my upper division finace class.

I'm currently taking an operations management class this semester. Operations management involves a lot of statistics. (Finding out the probability of sample will have defects, chances of project will be on time) Other topics on my sylabus include inventory management and forecasting demand.

In any case, a lot of upper division required classes provide some insight into what these aspects of business are really about.

[evanft]

Hah, this is what I was going to say...and remember, Electrical Engineers are the pimps of the Engineers

Roffle. EEs are glorified programmers.

[Reality's Fringe]

What kind of opportunities are there for someone graduating with a BA in Econ?

Depends on what you want to do with it. You can do anything from work as a private analyst for a company, working for the federal reserve, work the journalist angle, join a funded research project, or hell, even teach if you want.

A little story, I was in our career center looking for internships and I noticed a job interview opp. for seniors in the program. It was for some investment firm in Memphis, and they were willing to fly you to their HQ , on their dime, for a free weekend during which you would do an interview. It seemed standard until I saw the salary range: $110,000 STARTING OUT, with guranateed $200,000 by the time you're 25 as long as you're not a fuck-up. I'd draw graphs for that scratch.

DoK, I would advise making sure that what you change it to is what you want. I'd even check out a few books related to the subject. If you find yourself entertained by them, I think you have a winner (another personal experience). Good luck!

[Dead of Knight]

DoK, I would advise making sure that what you change it to is what you want. I'd even check out a few books related to the subject. If you find yourself entertained by them, I think you have a winner (another personal experience). Good luck!
Nice advice on the books. I talked to an adviser today and she wasn't much help. My regular adviser was not in today, but she will be in next Friday. I'll visit her then, and I think I'm gonna read some books this summer!!! ;)

I dunno, the intro accounting classes I took were pretty decent and pretty interesting. If I think about it, I'm not sure if my teacher just sucks ass this quarter or if I really am coming to hate accounting. He's not very structured and he expects you to know shit without ever explaining it in class (nor is it in the book). Srsly. And the book is confusing as hell without going over it in class, and he doesn't follow the book yet assigns readings from it that have little to do with the in-class material. Well, for finance majors one more accounting class is required anyway, so perhaps once I take that (with perhaps a better teacher?) I might feel better about the whole thing. Also, the accounting dept here is known for brutal teachers who can't teach for crap.

[Chacrana]

Have you taken any classes in those listed fields? I suck at career advice, but I have to tell you to go with what you enjoy. It took me two years to decide to become an Econ major. It's hard, but it's the only thing I've consistently enjoyed (I find it interesting that your Economics program is offered under the business school, when it's not really a "business" degree, per say).

Yeah, economics seems like the way to go. I was actually in the same situation, though I switched from a business major to an economics major during my first semester... economics is definitely a harder field than accounting, but apparently, it's that much more useful than accounting when you're trying to get into grad school or get a job from what I'm hearing. If you plan on going into law school or something, the analytical skills you get by going through econ are extremely useful.

Of course, I'm not actually in grad school, so that's all just based on what I've heard from a number of people.

[Dead of Knight]

Yeah, economics seems like the way to go. I was actually in the same situation, though I switched from a business major to an economics major during my first semester... economics is definitely a harder field than accounting, but apparently, it's that much more useful than accounting when you're trying to get into grad school or get a job from what I'm hearing. If you plan on going into law school or something, the analytical skills you get by going through econ are extremely useful.

Of course, I'm not actually in grad school, so that's all just based on what I've heard from a number of people.

Uh, accounting is definitely more useful for getting a job. It's all because of the Enron scandal and all the complicated new laws that came out of it. You'll basically get free blowjobs from the big four accounting firms just for applying with them as long as you're an accounting major and CPA-eligible. At least one of the big four is at 15% below the needed levels of accountants. It's a big draw for accounting right now, but like I said I don't want to audit shit for the rest of my life.

[gaelan]

Accounting is definitely your best bet for opportunities. The majority of CEOs have backgrounds in accounting...definitely the way to go.

If you do leave, I'd go with logistics. Lots of opportunities for that as well.

[evanft]

Man, sometimes I'm REALLY glad I'm in engineering.

[PhrostByte]

Umm.. hi. I'm just a lowly Psychology/Sociology major so I don't know much about economics/accounting... I took one Intro to micro-economics class and got bored quick so I said screw that. Towards the end of my sophomore year I decided to declare a Psyc major and I've been very happy with it. I've been getting great grades and meeting cool people. I'm also doing research assistance with the department. Then, in early junior year I signed up for Socy major as well... just because it was one of the few majors I could finish in time with all the time I had wasted looking for a major my first two years. Socy is a pretty easy major I think... so I should be able to get mostly A's... hopefully all A's. I'm actually planning on graduating 1 semester early and taking time off to take GRE's and look for a decent grad school. If you're looking to continue your education and grades matter to you, choose something you're interested in and you know you'll do well in. If you're not, consider what's best for your career as well as any personal preferences that might help your decision.

[Dead of Knight]

Umm.. hi. I'm just a lowly Psychology/Sociology major so I don't know much about economics/accounting... I took one Intro to micro-economics class and got bored quick so I said screw that. Towards the end of my sophomore year I decided to declare a Psyc major and I've been very happy with it. I've been getting great grades and meeting cool people. I'm also doing research assistance with the department. Then, in early junior year I signed up for Socy major as well... just because it was one of the few majors I could finish in time with all the time I had wasted looking for a major my first two years. Socy is a pretty easy major I think... so I should be able to get mostly A's... hopefully all A's. I'm actually planning on graduating 1 semester early and taking time off to take GRE's and look for a decent grad school. If you're looking to continue your education and grades matter to you, choose something you're interested in and you know you'll do well in. If you're not, consider what's best for your career as well as any personal preferences that might help your decision.

Yeah I plan on getting an MBA unless I somehow marry some rich dude and I don't have to work once we have kids. My friend was a psych major for three(!) years and decided near the end of his junior year to go into computer science and engineering instead because while he loves psychology, he didn't like any career options he would have. He'd taken a few CSE classes already as electives, but still... He's currently at a community college right now trying to save money and finish his GECs before coming back here and finishing his degree. :wall:

I really like sociology, took an intro class and loved it, though I can't see doing any research and crap as a career or anything. Mykevermin would be able to tell you more about it if you PM him. ;)

Basically what I think I'm gonna do is take the core intro business classes that are required as well as GECs in the fall, and continue to do so until I figure out what I want as a specialization. I will also be reading some books this summer as per RF's suggestion. ;)

[afedock]

Hah, this is what I was going to say...and remember, Electrical Engineers are the pimps of the Engineers

I was just kidding when I said this...obviously, I know engineering and business are nothing alike. Of course you have to like what you do, and be good at what you do (or at least like it enough to bust your ass to get good at it).

Roffle. EEs are glorified programmers.

First, what is your major? If you say civil (but Im willing to bet its mechanical), you have no room to talk. Second, programming is part of EE, but a small part. Every engineer uses programming at some point. There is a hell of a lot more to EE it then that. Out of the 100+ credits I have, Ive had to take 1 C++ class.

[Dead of Knight]

My boyfriend's sister's boyfriend (that sounds absolutely crazy when written down :lol:) is graduating with a degree in civil in June. All I can say is at least he is getting several job interviews and will have a job when he graduates, which is really all that anyone can ask for with this shitty job market, especially since he's had no internships.

[spidey]

Depends on what you want to do with it. You can do anything from work as a private analyst for a company, working for the federal reserve, work the journalist angle, join a funded research project, or hell, even teach if you want.

A little story, I was in our career center looking for internships and I noticed a job interview opp. for seniors in the program. It was for some investment firm in Memphis, and they were willing to fly you to their HQ , on their dime, for a free weekend during which you would do an interview. It seemed standard until I saw the salary range: $110,000 STARTING OUT, with guranateed $200,000 by the time you're 25 as long as you're not a fuck-up. I'd draw graphs for that scratch.

DoK, I would advise making sure that what you change it to is what you want. I'd even check out a few books related to the subject. If you find yourself entertained by them, I think you have a winner (another personal experience). Good luck!

Thanks for the info. I'm almost finished with my degree and was wondering if I should make a change since I was told that a degree in econ wasn't worth much.

[DQT]

Regarding the reading books idea, be careful, as reading textbooks for future classes may actually kill any enthusiasm for any major or any class you ever want to take.

[evanft]

First, what is your major? If you say civil (but Im willing to beat its mechanical), you have no room to talk. Second, programming is part of EE, but a small part. Every engineer uses programming at some point. There is a hell of a lot more to EE it then that. Out of the 100+ credits I have, Ive had to take 1 C++ class.

Dude, if you're an EE and you've only taken ONE class involving programming, you should really consider taking some as an elective. EEs have to deal with systems A LOT, just like ChEs, so, like ChEs, they end up using a LOT of programming and numerical analysis.

I'm actually a mechanical engineer, cause the oppurtunities are pretty massive where I live. My first engineering course actually involved some light programming.

[Dead of Knight]

Regarding the reading books idea, be careful, as reading textbooks for future classes may actually kill any enthusiasm for any major or any class you ever want to take.
Nah, I'm not gonna read textbooks, probably some books on picking a major and light reading books that are related to the majors.

[Tecumseh!]

If you want to be always assured of having a job, stop wasting your time in the buisness school and go into nursing. For about 1/10th of what you are spending at tOSU, you could get your ASN at a community college and have your choice of jobs. If you chose to pursue it further you could, of course, continue your education as much as you want to: BSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner.

Or you could take your 2-year and make 6 figures as well. There is NO SHORTAGE of work for RN's, and won't be in our lifetime.

Want to potentially travel?

Most traveling RN associations offer day 1 insurance, copious amounts of paid time off, paid moving expenses, paid housing or a residence stipend per month (in addition to your normal wages), and the ability to work in every corner of the country, making more per hour than the employees you'd be working side by side with. Think about that: If you don't like winter, you'd never have to endure one again.

Don't really like to work? Many hospitals are willing to pay RN's who will work 12 hour shifts every weekend (24 hours total, obviously) for 40 hours. 24 for 40. It really doesn't get much better than that, does it? I don't know about you, but I'd certainly be happy with 5 days off each week, while pulling a full time paycheck.

In many areas where staffing is particularly short, hospitals and hiring agencies are willing to pay large bonuses, several thousand bucks each quarter, to get you to agree to work for 3 months in one place.

I only wish I'd gone to nursing school before I turned 40...


It's worth looking into, at the very least...

[Pookymeister]

*Nursing stuff*

Also, must like blood and poop.

[Dead of Knight]

Also, must like blood and poop.
Basically. I wouldn't mind being a nurse if I wanted to clean up people's shit and take their blood. Seriously though, I can't stand blood being taken from people, including me. I don't really mind needles very much, it's the whole act of the blood being taken that really gives me the willies. Thus, I know for a fact I wouldn't be a good nurse.

There's a reason why there's a high demand for nursing. ;)

[Pookymeister]

it's the whole act of the blood being taken that really gives me the willies.

http://weblog.timoregan.com/uploaded_images/Bush-Vampire-328328.jpg

[evanft]

OH NOEZ COUNT BUSH!!!

Runz!!!

[Tecumseh!]

I worried about the poop thing in particular, but then I realized I could buy some REALLY GOOD SMELLING potions to help offset the odor when I'm making $45+ an hour...:drool:
:bouncy: :bouncy: :applause: :booty: :bouncy: :bouncy:

[dopa345]

Drawing blood isn't too bad. Just pretend it's tomato juice.

Now disimpacting patients... that's a different story.

[afedock]

Dude, if you're an EE and you've only taken ONE class involving programming, you should really consider taking some as an elective. EEs have to deal with systems A LOT, just like ChEs, so, like ChEs, they end up using a LOT of programming and numerical analysis.

I'm actually a mechanical engineer, cause the oppurtunities are pretty massive where I live. My first engineering course actually involved some light programming.

roffle. Mechanical engineers are glorified mechanics. My brother is about to get his masters in ME, my friend is about to get his masters in ME. Both use Matlab,maple programming for like every homework assignment. Better get used to programming.

Im about to be a fourth year EE, if Im about to get a degree in glorified programming, I think I would have done a lot more programming by now (by programming Im assuming you mean like CS programming, as I do use VHDL and stuff like that).

[Dead of Knight]

I worried about the poop thing in particular, but then I realized I could buy some REALLY GOOD SMELLING potions to help offset the odor when I'm making $45+ an hour...:drool:
:bouncy: :bouncy: :applause: :booty: :bouncy: :bouncy:
$45 is damn good, but really good businessmen can make a whole lot more. ;)

[Pookymeister]

$45 is damn good, but really good businessmen can make a whole lot more. ;)

And the only poop a good biz man needs to worry about is the hooker's during t3h butts3x. :bouncy::bouncy::bouncy:

[evanft]

roffle. Mechanical engineers are glorified mechanics. My brother is about to get his masters in ME, my friend is about to get his masters in ME. Both use Matlab,maple programming for like every homework assignment. Better get used to programming.

Im about to be a fourth year EE, if Im about to get a degree in glorified programming, I think I would have done a lot more programming by now (by programming Im assuming you mean like CS programming, as I do use VHDL and stuff like that).

Roffle. Considering the number of MEs that get hired by DTE and Wilcox every year, eh no. I'm going for ME because the job oppurtunities are massive (I can, after all, essentially work anywhere where stuff exists) and I can easily get an IE or CE degree if I wanted, as many of the classes I take for ME can be fanaggled into those disciplines. Since the ME program has little pieces of other programs in it, the transisition can be very easy. Shoot, I have to take a 3000-level EE class for Christ's sakes.

And yes, there is some programming with ME, but nearly nearly as much as with the EEs. At my school, the only programming the MEs really end up seriously doing is MATLAB, which EVERY engineer has to take. The EEs have to take C++ and use programming in many of their classes.

You really DO need more programming. Seriously. SERIOUSLY. Every EE I've talked to says employers love EEs with programming skills.

[Javery]

Hmmm... this is a tough call. I think that accounting majors who get their CPAs are in a better position than any other business major coming out of college - if you are good at it I'd just stick with it. Maybe think about picking up a minor or even another major and get two degrees?

[Dkellar]

I'd look into Econ. I really enjoyed AP Econ in high school and will probably take a few courses of it at GA Tech. You might want to take a few intro courses in the areas you have interest in. I'm sure these can count towards electives, assuming you still need a few. This way if the course bores you or anything you'll still work your way towards a degree and not be wasting time and money.

Also, a little off topic here but is this a new boyfriend or did you get back together with that lawyer guy?

And about EE, I'm an EE major as well and only a few classes are actually programming classes. So I wouldn't call EE programmers. Most of my classes involve designing and analyzing of circuits. Anybody can learn to program. I wouldn't focus too much on programming in any major since anybody can learn to program.

[Swift900]

Hey DoK, I noticed in your OP that you marked Marketing as out of the question. Being a Marketing major myself, I was just curious as to the reasoning behind your decision. Thanks!

[Dead of Knight]

I'd look into Econ. I really enjoyed AP Econ in high school and will probably take a few courses of it at GA Tech. You might want to take a few intro courses in the areas you have interest in. I'm sure these can count towards electives, assuming you still need a few. This way if the course bores you or anything you'll still work your way towards a degree and not be wasting time and money.

Also, a little off topic here but is this a new boyfriend or did you get back together with that lawyer guy?



Yeah, I still have to take intro courses in the business areas I have interest in, and they're actually REQUIRED for my degree, so it works.

And yes I got back together with him. Still wondering if I made the right decision but that relly shouldn't be discussed in this topic.

Javeryh: Yes, CPAs are in high demand and get jobs, but I know that I don't want to do that shit for the rest of my life. I've heard that accounting majors don't have to work in accounting, but still, I don't want to be miserable for my 2 remaining years in college, and I'd still probably have to work in accounting as my intro job. And yes, I can double in other stuff, but I dunno... At this point I'm not even sure if I want to change majors. I need to sort this stuff out, badly.

Swift900: There's way too many people in it, and I'm just not interested in the field. However, I AM taking the intro marketing course in the fall since it's part of the honors program I'm in, and I will be taking it with the Dean of Undergraduate Programs. So I might possibly change my mind. ;)

I decided to just take GECs and the required intro business courses in the fall. Taking honors intro to marketing, honors intro to finance, honors seminar (ie free food and credits), money and banking (econ, one of the options for a required upper-level econ course, and required for finance majors in case I decide to take that route), and intro to film studies (GEC).

[blandstalker]

Have you taken any classes in those listed fields? I suck at career advice, but I have to tell you to go with what you enjoy.

I really just wanted to second this. More than anything else, make your field of study something you enjoy doing. It will be the difference between a job and career that don't feel like work, and jobs that you hate.

It is also much easier to take the time now and figure this out than later, when you have a job and can't afford to leave it, or don't have the time or ability to go back to school.

[Apossum]

Major in something that intrigues you and that you're genuinely interested in, then go for a career in grad/law school if you have the option.

maybe you're interested in business, I dunno. and if you don't have the option of grad/law school, then stick with something business related ;) I guess it comes down to the money situation, but how old are you--like 20, 21? you'll have plenty of time to make money later.

[/someone had to be the romantic/idealist]

[crowbb]

Well I don't know what to tell you to take but I can give you some insight from my personal experience.

After a long road that started with Engineering I ended up with a Bachelor's in Economics and Associate's in Management. Economics is...a very strange program It varies widely from school to school and professor to professor. Basically there are 2 main schools of thought on Economics, the theory route and the math route. Economics professors tend to be very strong of opinion on which side they believe is better. So you could get a lot of deep mathematical formulas or do a lot of Economic theory and history without ever doing anything beyond simple math.

After finishing my degree and looking for a job half-assed (I had been working full-time hours for the US Postal Service for years at this point) I ended up working in Contracting for the Department of Defense. That was certainly not where I expected to end up with an Economics degree! But as a first year intern I'm making almost twice what I would have made if I took another actual Economics related job I was looking into.

Economics and Finance seem to be pretty highly sought after, in Government at least. I was hired immediately after a 5 minute phone "interview" that was more like 3 or 4 questions then an offer. A friend of mine, who was also an Economics major was hired pretty quickly as well, and is now working in Logistics for the Navy.

[Dead of Knight]

Major in something that intrigues you and that you're genuinely interested in, then go for a career in grad/law school if you have the option.

maybe you're interested in business, I dunno. and if you don't have the option of grad/law school, then stick with something business related ;) I guess it comes down to the money situation, but how old are you--like 20, 21? you'll have plenty of time to make money later.

[/someone had to be the romantic/idealist]
I have the monies to go to grad or law school if I wanted to. I know business is where I want to be in terms of a job. I've been thinking about law school off and on but the type of law I'd want to practice is either very hard to get into or comparatively low paying. I'll almost certainly get an MBA down the road. And I'm 19, but yes, I'm almost a junior in college because I started school a tad earlier than most. Was in kindergarten when I was 4.

crowbb: Very interesting about economics. I'm taking an econ course right now (writing about econ) and did very well in my honors intro to econ classes. Definitely something to look into, though I'd certainly pair it up with finance or something else.

[Illini Jeeper]

Hi, I'm a former Aviation Human Factors/Professional Pilot major (Big words for just getting pilot licenses) now switched into Communications, more specifically, Broadcast Journalism. I also happen to go to a rival Big 10 school located in Champaign. (Hopefully you won't stop reading after that :P)

What exactly entails Real Estate and Urban Development (I think that's what the second half was called)? No one here has seemed to talk about it at all and I'm slightly surprised. I'd think that would be an interesting field, and a promising one at that, to go into.

I believe you could make a decent profit out of it, as land is continuing to grow scarcer and scarcer while the population continues to increase. Land/property/space is something all people need, regardless if you're a farmer who needs thousands of acres in the Midwest or a company who builds condos in Florida and California on whatever they can get. Maybe this can be a bit inspiring?

[evanft]

The biggest thing to remember is that some of your classes may not transfer over to your new major. WHen I moved from Pharmacy to engineering, I lost about 5 classes.

[Dead of Knight]

The biggest thing to remember is that some of your classes may not transfer over to your new major. WHen I moved from Pharmacy to engineering, I lost about 5 classes.
With the business majors it's not going to matter. Pretty much everything will transfer over in the business school.

Illini Jeeper: I'm not really sure what it consists of. I'll have to look it up. Thanks for the idea.

[evanft]

Well that's good. I guess when you go into a totally new major, as I did, things are a little different.

[Dead of Knight]

Well that's good. I guess when you go into a totally new major, as I did, things are a little different.
Yeah it is. I think it's cause all the business majors get the same "degree:" BSBA.

[kell]

So are you any closer to what to do?

Some of the reasons I went into Accounting were: the ability to get a job upon graduaion, pay, and at the time it was considered the hardest major within business. As a CPA with experience I will always have something to fall back on.

I truly beleive that Accounting is a great basis for business accumen. It is much easier to go from accounting to any other business field than the other way around. There are a lot of misconeptions about accounting and accountants. As a CPA are very much a consultant to your clients. This is more evident at smaller business and not as much the case with publicly traded company. But the partners are advisors. You need excellent people skills to work and succeed as an auditor. There is a lot of grind work in your first few years, but it gets better with more experience. Auditing also provides the opportuinty to gain leadership experience once you start leading and managing jobs.

Someone mentioned Econ being harder as a major and I think you could make a case for either one. However, everyone I knew in accounting had jobs when graduating, even the ones who weren't very good at it. I had a job in September even though I didn't graduate until May (which made my Senior year very fun:D ). The poeple I have known with Econ degrees have had a harder time finding jobs. As for getting into grad school both degrees well suffice; it is based more on GMAT, expereince (quality and quantity), and essays (although I was shocked to see the lack of writing skills of some of those who got in - and I went to a pretty good school). Most of my peers had Engineering degrees.

Logistics (Supply Chain Mgt.) is a field with a lot of opportunities. I am currently in Program Management, but still tied to logistics and supply chain.

I would also recommend doing something you like. When I was younger it was all about the money. But as I got older and have to do it every day, I started to realize that it is much more important that I like what I am doing. I would be making a lot more money if I would have stayed in Public Acct. and became a partner.

Hopefully that helps a little, let me know if you have any questions that I can try and answer.

[Nineswords]

I would have to agree with what Kell is saying. Adding a little more... accounting offers great versatility in any industry. It's more than just making journal entries, balancing accounts, auditing, financial reporting, analyzing financials, etc. Getting a CPA or MBA will do more to enhance that versatility and not necessarily restrict you to a life of public accounting.

I have a BS in accounting and work in the construction/manufacturing industry. While my job title is General Ledger accountant and I do some financial reporting, journal entries, etc. Most of my time is spent implementing a new accounting software package. This means analyzing the various job duties and how they are performed now (on the old software) not only in the accounting departments (invoicing, a/r, a/p, credit, g/l, payroll, etc) at corporate, but also as the location level (inventory, sales orders, purchasing), then translating how they do their job now into how they will do it with the new software, efficiently and effectively, all while keeping internal controls in place. This involves not only an understanding of the accounting cycle and internal control, but lets you really retool the policies and procedures that were put in place due to the limitations of the old software. Also included is writing documentation for the various departments and training of the new software.

The rest of my time is spent working on contracts and acquisitions. For the contract side, I basically read contractor/subcontractor agreements we receive from customers, make changes via an addendum attach to the contract, and then hash it out with the customer if they don't happen to like the changes I made to the contract. On the acquisition side, I usually travel to the location and train the staff on our system, take inventory, verify fixed assets, set up the computer equipment to connect to corporate....

I guess the simple point is once you have a foundation in accounting; it is very easy to become a hybrid of sorts in other aspects in a company because accounting touches every aspect of business in some way, shape or form. A BS in accounting can get you there and you don't have to confine yourself to a CPA firm to do it.

[Dead of Knight]

Cool, thanks for the info guys!! :D

[Pookymeister]

Cool, thanks for the info guys!! :D

If all else fails, http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4862/nicejobyy4.jpg

[bardiya27]

lmao hahahahahahhaa


I am 19, I am at a community college right now studying for an MBA, but not sure exactly what field. After Kell's and Nineswords post i am really getting interested into accounting.

How's the yearly pay for accounting in general guys? And about how many years of study?

[Zenithian Legend]

I majored in business administration and minored in economics and my first job after graduating was working for Chrysler taking pictures of dealerships...

So, my question is what sort of job do you hope to have when you graduate?

[Dead of Knight]

lmao hahahahahahhaa


I am 19, I am at a community college right now studying for an MBA, but not sure exactly what field. After Kell's and Nineswords post i am really getting interested into accounting.

How's the yearly pay for accounting in general guys? And about how many years of study?

You can't get an MBA at a cc. You probably mean a ABA.

Average starting pay is about $45k but it obviously increases from there. You can take 4 years for a BSBA, an additional 1 more for a MAcc, or an additional 2 for a MBA.

New developments have occurred. I absolutely aced my accounting exam whereas the average was a C with the 95% percentile not even being in the A- range. I was above the 95% percentile. Considering the number of people in the class, I probably got the highest grade in the class. Considering this, I think I'm naturally good at accounting also taking into consideration that I've gotten the highest grades in my other accounting classes as well, and should probably use my talents, whether or not I become an accountant or just a businesswoman. I'm scheduling accounting for the fall, and even if I end up doing finance instead, it's required anyway.

My mom reminded me when I told her about this that my father majored in accounting, had the highest GPA in his major upon college graduation, and doesn't even do anything with accounting now.