business minor/major in near future

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>I'm considering UCLA for admissions (class of 2012) and would like to pursue a career in business administration, but unfortunately UCLA does not have a business school. I have been considering USC as well for their program, but after visiting both schools, although both are great in their own respects, I feel that UCLA offers a more compatible environment for me, and I love the atmosphere.</p>

<p>I have heard rumors that UCLA is considering offering a business minor and subsequently in the future, a business major, in response to growing student demands. Does anyone know how far along this process is, and any new news about its development? I know that some students are really pushing for it, but I have yet to see any info on how the administration is reacting. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2007/apr/24/several_major/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2007/apr/24/several_major/&lt;/a> Conclusively, it seems that Ms. Kathy Sims and Ms. Judith Smith are not very adamant on this, which is discouraging. </p>

<p>Provided I get accepted--which is a somewhat reasonable possibility--I would love to take a business minor and maybe if the major develops do a double major into that as well. My luck would be terrible should it develop after 2-3 years, if it all.</p>

<p>I know they have a business economics, but I'm not really interested in finance and have yet to take an economics class in HS so I don't know if that would be a good career path. (Also I hear many students have trouble finding jobs in economics, mostly limited to teaching, government work, or really big companies.) </p>

<p>As of now, I believe I am somewhat interested in Human Resources (although I hear the pay is turnoff) and I would like to ask what your opinions on a major for this field.</p>

<p>Possibly Major-Psychology, Minors-Industrial Labor Relations and possibly business (if added)?</p>

<p>Or Major-Business Econ/Econ, Minor-Psychology, ILR</p>

<p>I apologize for anyone who suffered while reading the long post, I tend to ramble on and on...but I believe many here are also interested in a business minor as well. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>BUMPPP</p>

<p>I would like to know too...I'm so sad UCLA has no business major..</p>

<p>And yeah, I also heard graduates with econ degree have difficulty finding jobs, can anyone affirm this? Maybe why?</p>

3

<p>knguyen142, have you ever considered about applying to haas at berkeley? the undergraduate program is extremely competitive and prestigious nationally. many big firms hire haas graduates. you still have a year to go, and it wouldn't hurt to give yourself more options to choose from.</p>

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<p>prettyprettyday, I have actually, and I will still be applying to Berkeley. But, like you said, it is extremely competitive: only around 50% of applicants to Haas after soph year get admitted. In addition, I heard rumors from many that Berkeley is a harsh experience, but thanks for the suggestion though.</p>

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<p>There's Business Economics. And don't forget the accounting minor!~!~</p>

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<p>do graduates with business econ degree from ucla usually go into finance? how difficult would it be to land a internship or job right after graduating with big finance firms? anybody know from experience or from their friends?</p>

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<p>many people become accountants. finance seems to be a lot more rare when I asked around.</p>

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<p>Unfortunate news guys. After contacting a counselor in UCLA's economics department, it seems they have little intent on creating a business minor as of now.</p>

<p>From the Email: "Although there might be discussion amongst students regarding a possible Business minor, this is hearsay; there is no discussion of creating a business minor and/or major. You're right, the Bus Econ major is an Economics major with some accounting and finance courses; you will not take traditional business/management courses at UCLA....We tell our students at orientation that they do not need to major in Business Economics if they plan to work in busienss and/or finance. It is important to find a major that you will enjoy and supplement it with internships and participation in student organizations."</p>

<p>So disappointed...</p>

9

<p>Calm down people. A business major (or traditional Business Administration major) is useless! It is just like water...much too broad with no real, concrete, useful knowledge that you will use in your future career. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception among entering students. You'd be much better off majoring in econ and taking some management courses.</p>

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<p>If you're really concerned about this sort, you can talk to the Career Center on-campus. I think they keep tabs on what alumni do (if they're so listed) and will probably be able to reassure you about post-UCLA success of BizEcon students ... more concrete information.</p>

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<p>Well, I was concerned with a business minor so I could major in Psych (useful for management) but still have the business minor for the business sense. Also, I thought the management courses were in finance? And the bizecon is impacted so the degree would be harder to aquire. </p>

<p>Also, even though I have little experience in this subject, I find it hard to imagine that a business administration degree would be "useless". Seems a little too extreme, and I'm sure the thousands that have it would agree as well.</p>

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<p>ucla bizecon is hardly a business major. to be exact, it is just an economics major with 3 upper division accounting courses. a business major is not like "water." You learn different things, and I wouldn't say ucla economics is exactly the most hardcore major ever. i would daresay many business programs at other schools would provide a similarly, if not more rigorous, intellectual experience. and "management" courses at ucla are just an euphemism for accounting. there are no undergrad finance courses at ucla. accounting does touch upon finance a little, but not really.</p>

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<p>So if I was interested in a career in finance or banking, do you think UCLA's undergrad majors of business econ and minor of accounting would prepare me adequately for those careers? Would employers/recruiters be less likely to hire one in that field because of UCLA's lack of undergrad support for finance/banking?</p>

<p>Because it seems other universities seem to offer accounting or finance majors and these seem to be even more specialized and thus more focused particularly in finance...</p>

<p>Basically, what route should I take at UCLA as an undergrad to head towards a career in finance/banking?</p>

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<p>Hasn't it occured to anyone why top schools usually DON'T offer business degrees?
Nonetheless, if you have to choose between UCLA and USC (and you're dead set on business), go to 'SC. The alumni network is really awesome, as much as I hate to admit it. As you move on, you have to realize that success is in part due to networking and connections. Just my 2 cents</p>

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<p>Something I noticed from job recruiters who work for consulting/banking firms:</p>

<p>They tend to like majors like engineering, applied math, and the sciences, because according to them it demonstrates "comfort with numbers" which is something they find to be very important. Bus Econ, accounting, and the sort are also good. Although some consulting and banking firms will recruit from any major. But whatever major you pick, make sure you have a good GPA.</p>

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<p>And regarding finance courses, UCLA has ONE finance course (Econ 106F), which is restricted to BizEcon majors (but not restricted during summer). There is also an International Finance course (Econ 122), and a Public Finance course (Econ 130). For the mathematically inclined, there are 3 Mathematical Finance courses (Econ 141A, 141B, 141C).</p>

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<p>
[quote]
there are no undergrad finance courses at ucla. accounting does touch upon finance a little, but not really.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Really? I seem to remember taking a class titled "Finance" (EC 106F). A great one to follow that with is EC 106V "Investments."</p>

<p>Although I would generally agree that the accounting does not get into finance, there is a great class MGM 126 "Financial Statement Analysis," that covers the valuation models (such as discounted cash flow, residual earnings, and abnormal earnings growth) you'll need for an I-Banking interview. Most I-Banks and money management firms use slight variations of these models but market them with a different name to try and imply that theirs is better.<br>
However, to get this, you have to take it with Professor Litt (generally during the summer)</p>

<p>And also, "to be exact" the biz econ major has FOUR upper division accounting classes, and two specific biz-econ classes (such as the one's I listed above) that address business topics and are not open to regular econ majors.</p>