<p>Okay so I posted the other day asking would I be nuts switching from USC Marshall to economics (with a concentration on mathematics) also from USC. I am getting closer and closer to making that switch, even if I might be giving up some starting salary and job prospects directly out of school. And I'm really just looking for some input.</p>
<p>I'm losing faith in business as an undergraduate minor. It's not necessarily easy by any means; many of my finance classes down the road will be tough. And I really do enjoy finance. It's just that it's all so...concrete...it's not that enriching. There's something about the theoretical (and sometimes intangible) nature of econ (and many liberal arts degrees) that I enjoy. Does that make sense to anyone? I guess that's the nature of a professional degree like business: it teaches you how to do a profession, rather than how to think, Case in point: the accounting class I'm stuck in right now.<br>
(I don't meant that to be as rude as it may sound, for a lot of people who know exactly what they want business is a fantastic major). </p>
<p>Also, it's been really frustrating dealing with business as a majors because it just seems like such a self serving major. Of course, that could have a lot to do with my being at the university of southern california. As a finance concentration, I'm constantly surrounded by intense i-banker hopefuls. Not that it's not great to have ambitions of that magnitude, but I just have trouble believing anywhere near all of them have the right motivations. It just seems like every little thing my peers do is a calculated step to improving their future earnings. While college is certainly partially (and largely) about improving your future, I'm kind of the opinion these days that that shouldn't be the only (or maybe not even primary) focus of a college degree, and money CERTAINLY shouldn't be the focus like many of my business classmates will willingly admit. It just doesn't seem like I'd have much room to contribute to anyone but myself as a business major (at least through my career, though obviously how I spend my money and how I spend my time outside of my career is another story).</p>
<p>From a more practical standpoint, I like that economics provides the options for graduate school right after undergrad. In such uncertain times where a bachelor's degree is losing it's value, I don't really like that I wouldn't have that many options for grad school straight out of an undergraduate finance degree (MBAs require experience. I have already mentioned my lack of passion for accounting). I also love how many directions I can take econ: government/civil service, business, banking way down the road (if I'm lucky and bust my butt), non profits, etc. I suppose the same could probably be said for business, but I just feel like econ would prepare me for a slightly broader array of opportunities.</p>
<p>As a side note, I'm studying chinese (probably not as a minor or anything, but I do hope to get at least 4 semesters in so I should be able to speak/read/write a reasonable amount by the time I graduate), so that should go along nicely with an economics degree.</p>
<p>Anyways, like I said, I acknowledge that the job prospects and salaries won't be quite as good for me as an econ/math major out of USC as they would have been out of business, but given that I just spilled all my feelings: does anyone have any input about whether I might find more enjoyment in econ? I saw the other girl who posted a few days ago frantically looking for a major, and I guess I'm in something of the same boat and just looking for some thoughts and/or encouragement.</p>
<p>A last important note, I'm into my third econ related class and I still really enjoy it.</p>
<p>Another last important note: i really don't want to offend anyone who is a huge supporter of business as a major. As I said, it's great for some people but I myself am not really feeling it. If I said anything too bluntly, I'm sorry and don't mean to offend.</p>