<p>I was accepted into the International Affairs Program. But, I'm thinking of switch to International Business. The thing is.... I love to travel and learn about different cultures around the world. Thats why I decided on IAF. However, I feel that the degree isn't very marketable in this current job market. I also thought of doubling IAF with Economics to make it look more "appealing". But, I feel as though BSIB might be more "relevant". Besides, the dual degree BSIB option looks appealing. I'm interested in business however, i prefer studying IAF. My future goals are to get into either consulting, PR or marketing after graduation. </p>
<p>So what do you guys/gals think?....should i request a change of major to BSIB or should I stick with IAF and double up with econ?</p>
<p>btw How is the IAF & BSIB program in NU? I read that the BSIB program is extremely tough and rigorous.</p>
<p>I’m an IAF major who went on a Dialogue to Spain last year with like 20 BSIB students. I do believe BSIB is indeed tough and rigorous (I think some of the people I went to Spain with have since dropped out of BSIB). And BSIB will teach you skills while IAF will teach you theories (that’s what I’ve realized-- I haven’t really learned how to do anything, you know?). But I absolutely love IAF and don’t regret majoring in it.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’re interested in it, but I’m minoring in Social Entrepreneurship, which I think is the career path I’m going to pursue. There’s like a Social Entrepreneurship track or something too for BSIB students.</p>
<p>First off, this needs to be decided pretty much now. I tried to transfer into BSIB after my first semester and (despite having a lot of credit) she was very very hestitant to even say I had a chance at getting in. The program is just too structured to wait long.</p>
<p>Try and remember that BSIB is a BUSINESS degree first. You either specialize in a language, or you minor in IAF (it’s kind of the “english” track). But it’s still a business degree. You’ll be studying accounting and finance and human resources and marketing. But because it’s international, you’ll also get to do some travel and languages and (if you get the minor) some IAF study.</p>
<p>IAF on the other hand, as I’m sure blink can go way more into, is a totally different kind of major. There are regional classes, global classes, theories, political science… And you still do the travel and languages. Yeah, business is more of a skill-learning subject, but if you don’t want to sit around learning accounting and finance makes you sick, then perhaps its not the best idea. I choose between pursuing BSIB or going to Economics. I’m glad I did Economics because although the business majors usually have a better idea of what “track” they’ll go onto in life after graduation, I can do whatever I want (including doing an accounting coop right now). And this way, I’m studying things I want to.</p>
<p>So the same thing goes for you. It doesn’t sound like you want to do business, just that you’re afraid IAF won’t give you good job prospects. Don’t pick a major that you won’t enjoy. IAF is fine and people get plenty of jobs, especially with the required travel and the co-ops available. Besides, you could always minor in business.</p>
<p>Also, econ is not a subject you just pick up. Most people hate it, so take the intro classes (I believe one may even be required by IAF) before deciding you want to dual in it and start planning out your schedule at Northeastern.</p>
<p>I’m currently doing the BSIB major and the IAF minor so I can definitely agree with neuchimie that it’s absolutely a primarily business degree. We still get to travel and we have a lot of great opportunities in the program but it’s structured to the point where we don’t have much wiggle room programming wise. If you at all feel like IB is something you would like to do as a major then I would encourage you to switch into it before school starts. It will be far easier on you to try IB, decide you don’t like it, and switch into IAF than it will be the other way around once the semester begins. However, both majors are very good and it’s truly up to you. If you don’t want to major in business, that will not hinder you in job prospects.</p>
<p>thanks everyone! I think i’m gonna stick with IAF for now. IB is a little too focused and rigid for my liking. </p>
<p>@blinkangel44
What do you think of the IAF program? Have you done any coops? Are the professors good? and yes Social Entrepreneurship definitely interest me.</p>
<p>I really love the classes I’ve been taking! I’m sure you can find in my other posts some more info about it (I’ve also PMed and Facebook messaged people about this and I can’t keep straight what I’ve told different people haha). I’ll be going on my first co-op this fall with Oxfam America, which I’m wicked excited about Denise Horn is an incredible professor (she teaches the 101 class, Globalization, so make sure you take that in the fall when she’s teaching it!). And there are many other all-star professors. My Comp Pol and IR profs were a bit hit or miss but there are definitely better alternatives from what I’ve heard. Social Entrepreneurship is pretty big here (the class now has 60 kids in it). The Social Enterprise Institute is a great resource, and I’m wicked excited to go on the microfinance Dialogue with them to the DR!</p>
<p>Alright, thank you! Also, IAF is my minor and IB is my major, so what type of co-ops will I be eligible for? As in will all of my co-ops be directly related to my major or will I be able to accept co-ops from IAF organizations?</p>
Denise Horn is an incredible professor (she teaches the 101 class, Globalization, so make sure you take that in the fall when she’s teaching it!). And there are many other all-star professors. My Comp Pol and IR profs were a bit hit or miss but there are definitely better alternatives from what I’ve heard. Social Entrepreneurship is pretty big here (the class now has 60 kids in it). The Social Enterprise Institute is a great resource, and I’m wicked excited to go on the microfinance Dialogue with them to the DR!</p>