<p>I have an idea of what I want to study but I'm unsure of which major to specifically pursue. I want to do something related to finance and combine it with some sort of a science or engineering. Which Letters & Sciences major would best complement this business major, or would it even be better to do a double major in the school of business. I want to do something related to the health field but in the financial sector of it.</p>
<p>Also I have a few questions about the available majors in the Wisconsin School of Business:
What careers can you pursue with a degree in Operations and Technology Management or Information systems?</p>
<p>Computer Science and some kind of business major is a good combination.</p>
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<p>The B-school offers a healthcare management specialization. I don’t have any personal experience with it but you can check it out here: [Certificates</a> and Specializations - Undergraduate Programs - UW-Madison School of Business](<a href=“http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/majors/certificates.asp#Health]Certificates”>http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/majors/certificates.asp#Health)</p>
<p>What kind of financial areas of health care are you interested? One obvious one might be health insurance. There’s an RMI major and an Actuarial Science major in the business school. [Risk</a> Management and Insurance - Undergraduate Programs - UW-Madison School of Business](<a href=“http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/majors/risk.asp]Risk”>http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/majors/risk.asp)</p>
<p>One of CUNA Mutual’s VPs recently spoke in our intro RMI lecture. He mentioned that the insurance industry is constantly lagging behind in technology/information systems. I also think that a computer science degree is a great addition to an RMI major–or any business major. </p>
<p>Computer Information systems is a bit different than CS. You’re probably going to be working with database systems, helping companies file and retrieve their accumulated data/research when an employee/manager needs it. You might be part of an IT staff keeping a company’s computer systems and/or network up to date and functioning. It usually won’t be independent projects like programming or research at IBM/Cisco/etc.,–that’s usually left to computer scientists or CS majors. See more at [Computer</a> and Information Systems Managers](<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos258.htm]Computer”>http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos258.htm)</p>
<p>OTM majors, I believe, typically deal with production line management and optimization. That might mean a plant manager (most common). Or, it could be optimizing transportation routes for logistics firms like FedEx/UPS and distribution center placement for big companies like Kimberly Clark. </p>
<p>If I were an OTM major I would couple it with a math degree.</p>
<p>I speak only as B-student, not as a business professional.</p>
<p>I’m actually one of 10 students pursuing the healthcare management specialization. Basically, you pick 3 classes out of a list of 20 or so to take. It’s fairly easy, and very educational. It helped me obtain a healthcare consulting internship that I’m doing now.</p>
<p>As for my majors, I’m marketing, but I combined it with economics to add some analytical and theoretical rigor. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the detailed answer justtotalk it was extremely helpful, and you too timmao1989.<br>
A few more questions now ha.</p>
<p>I think I want to either do the major in Finance or RMI. I liked the Actuarial Science program but I think that would be too hard for me. I feel like there’s more career flexibility with a major in Finance rather than RMI. I do don’t care too much about my starting level salary but would like to end up at least 110-120k as my mid-level salary. </p>
<p>How hard is the Certificate in Business program (the actual program itself and to get into). I am still considering doing a CS Major then perhaps this. On the website it says its highly competitive and goes by GPA, does that make it essentially impossible?</p>
<p>Also do you think it is feasible for me to do a Finance or RMI Major plus a Certificate in CS and a Health Care Management Specialization? I have taken 7 AP classes throughout highschool so my AP credits may help free up some space.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the Cert. of Bus. so I’ll leave that to someone who’s more knowledgeable. </p>
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<p>There’s a few major in the business school that have very few requirements and are typically pursued in conjunction with another major. RMI is one of those–there’s 4-5 courses total that you have to take, and there’s quite a few courses that satisfy those requirements. The only unique thing about RMI is that you’ll need to declare it early–there’s a couple courses that are only offered 1x/yr or every 1x/2 years. It’s a great department; I really enjoyed taking a couple courses in it. </p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll be able to get a certificate in CS from the b-school. Certificates in the letters and science are typically for L&S students. You can declare a second major in the L&S college, though. So, you could be a finance and CS double major–along with a Health Care Management specialization. IMO that’s a lot. </p>
<p>A much more feasible option would be RMI/CS double major with a HealthCare specialization. That would be begging for an insurance industry job. Most underwriters/agents in the insurance industry start off pretty high–but there’s not a whole lot of room to grow. The average underwriter won’t break the 100k mark. You would eventually be switching careers (prob into management) to reach that salary. </p>
<p>Personally I would major in what you like–not what can guarantee a 120k mid-career salary. If you don’t like your career/major, you won’t even be an average worker and you may never get promoted to that level anyways. Do what you like and you’ll probably outperform the average employee.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll have a much better idea of how you’ll want to structure your majors/classes once you’ve taken a few at the b-school! So, no worries for now.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. Well yeah I agree I don’t want to something based just off the salary but I’m looking for something I like with a decent salary. </p>
<p>I was thinking of getting the certificate from the L&S school because I mean if you can do a double major in L&S why wouldn’t you be able to get a certificate as well? It says “All undergraduates and special students are eligible for a Computer Science Certificate, except those who major in Computer Sciences or Electrical and Computer Engineering.” Or does that only apply to L&S students?</p>
<p>And also what are you majoring in?</p>
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<p>I’m not sure–you might be right. But you’d want to talk to a pre-business adviser and find out, because you’re also bound by the B-school requirements–not just the CS requirements. </p>
<p>For instance, you can’t double major outside L&S: [Double</a> Majoring - Undergraduate Programs - UW-Madison School of Business](<a href=“http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/majors/doublemajor.asp]Double”>http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/majors/doublemajor.asp) . I couldn’t find any specific info on certificates in L&S, but I don’t think you’re eligible for a CS cert. as a business student. Hopefully someone will correct me if I’m wrong =).</p>
<p>I’m an accounting/computer science double major.</p>
<p>Alright thanks, especially for your detail in your replies. Hopefully I’ll get this all sorted out at my SOAR!</p>
<p>No problem. If you’re still interested in business next year, then good luck in the application process =).</p>