<p>Right now I'm studying business at the University of Southern California. I'm considering, however, switching into the architectural studies program and later getting an MBA. I don't really want to be an architect, but rather use architecture as a rigorous, creative undergraduate area of study. The thing is, I really love business development (branding and identity, specifically), but I feel like an undergrad business degree is sucking the life out of me. I feel like I have such a great opportunity to study at the USC School of Architecture and don't want to waste it. I'm very interested in the design process and think that it introduces people to a new, creative way of thinking. In short, I want to study architecture not as training for a career, but rather as a liberal art. </p>
<p>It is understood that students who earn liberal arts degrees in subjects like history, anthropology and math are not bound by their choice of undergraduate major for their career. Will studying architecture as an undergrad be appreciated in the business world or will it only act as a barrier to entry into valuable internships and entry level positions? </p>
<p>Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I'm also posting this in the business thread.</p>
<p>I think you are on the right track in that many of the most successful MBA’s have had an undergraduate degree in something else, practiced for a bit , and then went back to school to learn about finance and management. You tend to see a lot of undergraduate engineering majors. </p>
<p>I think architecture would give you a really good foundation for problem solving. Architecture is really about taking a complex set of criteria (program, cost, codes, owner and community aspirations) and synthesizing them down to their essence to generate a three dimensional solution. In the idealistic 70’s several programs were started with titles like ‘environmental design’ which were intended as architectural studies for students who would go on to do other things in life. The Texas A&M program is one of these. </p>
<p>However, if you have no interest in practicing architecture it is hard for me to imagine going through the demands and rigors of three years of studio just to gain that abstract skill set. I would think one of the LAC’s that provide a general education and two years of architecture would come closest to filling the bill. I know USC used to be known for its five year BArch program, but I have not kept up with the school. </p>
<p>I can’t add much on job prospects because they pretty well stink for everybody right now. However I think you would be a very interesting candidate for a branding firm.</p>
<p>The first two years are loaded with Studio… But are light on other things that one may need in an MBA, especially the quantitative part. So, one would have to make sure they have enough hours in the day to meet their Studio course requirements and then take as electives courses that others are taking as major courses. </p>
<p>The program also seems light in computer related coursework (that would be useful to an MBA student :-)). </p>
<p>The rewards in the program come at the end, where you get to take interesting non-studio courses that could be useful in the overall creative process. </p>
<p>Ask yourself this, tho. What do you have in mind with said MBA? a job in finance or similar ‘real’ management or something in the creative aspects of things like Rick suggested?</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore right now, so I feel like I have a good enough understanding of economics to benefit me in MBA required courses. The GMAT tests on writing, critical reasoning and mathematics so I don’t think that an undergraduate business education would prepare me any better for evaluation in these categories than majoring in architectural studies. </p>
<p>I love the creative aspects of business and can see myself working for small firms out in California, possibly in the nonprofit sector. It seems that the best way to become a candidate for management positions or become eligible for working with Venture Capital firms is an MBA.</p>