<p>Background info: So I am transferring to [a top engineering school] next fall and am going to be majoring in some kind of engineering or computer science. My goal is to get into a top MBA program (top 10) after a few years of working. I want to pick a major that carries a high likelihood of getting me a job that will provide lots of opportunity to distinguish myself as a leader in only a few years (~3-5). Since my goal is to get an MBA, I am approaching undergrad as a stepping stone to that goal. I want to have the best employment prospects after graduation with a solid income (to save for B school).</p>
<p>I am leaning towards Industrial Engineering, and am considering an econ/finance track within IE. Do you think this is a solid idea? It's obviously the most relevant way to go for someone on their way to business school, but is it going to get me a job where I can distinguish myself? Will the econ/finance track limit my opportunities as an Industrial Engineer? Will potential employers even care which track I took?</p>
<p>I am also considering Aerospace Engineering and BME (to a lesser extent). I am very interested in the fields, so I feel confident I would do well in them. I also see these as being more likely to get me employed by a larger organization, which I perceive to be important on a B school application. Would it be harder to stand out in such an organization?</p>
<p>I can say with a lot of confidence that no top 10 business school will care which engineering major you had or whether you worked for a ‘big name’ (I’ve been working as a faculty member in such schools for many decades). Nor will you have to distinguish yourself as a leader (in fact that statement alone sounds like you’d be an annoying person to hire out of undergrad). And there is certainly zero need to have any business background in your education. Schools are looking for a lot of diversity in their class- diversity in education and diversity in work experience. No one is looking to fill their class with a bunch of managers working for Fortune 50 companies (yawn). </p>
<p>You are overthinking this and being way too instrumental. How about actually pursuing to study what you are most interested in and seem to have an aptitude for? Sure you have to factor in job prospects and such to a degree, but people thrive and perform at optimal levels when they are doing work that they naturally gravitate to, that suits them, that speaks to their strengths, that fulfills them (vs. doing it just to jump through hoops for external gains and some down the road master plan). This is true for your major as well as your occupation. Have a little confidence in yourself that upon graduation, you’ll have a number of job opportunities and select the one that provides the environment where you can see yourself growing the most. After working for a number of years- make it five- then revisit the MBA path.</p>
<p>What do you need an MBA for? If you want to have a leadership role in a tech company, you can do that without going to a business school. Personally, I’ve never met a manager who had a an MBA – they were all just scientists and engineers who worked their way up.</p>
<p>I’m not saying that an MBA won’t be useful for your career – perhaps it will help you get that leadership role that you desire. However, when you consider the cost of top tier business schools, I think it’s an incredibly risky investment.</p>
<p>You could always…ya know…go with the engineering major that interests you the most. Just an idea. Leadership comes of YOUR own accord, you have to distinguish yourself there. No one area is easier.</p>
<p>You don’t need a business background for an MBA, a strong technical background is all you need. But, if you want to start a company, an MBA is hardly needed. For that, you don’t really need school…starting a business requires a different kind of intelligence.</p>
<p>“So I am transferring to [a top engineering school] next fall” And, you are sure of that? I had no idea top schools were guarantees for anyone…</p>
<p>But, at the end of the day, go with an engineering major which interests you the most, because that is where you will be most successful. If you want to do engineering just to make money…then, it’s probably not a worthwhile major for you.</p>
<p>Cloak: I am transferring from a community college to a public school which happens to be a top engineering school. There is a transfer program between the two schools.</p>