Create Your Own Business Major! SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

<p>Hey guys, I'll be a freshman this fall at the University of Maryland. I'm entering as an Economics Major because i feel it keeps my option open: for example, Law school, Business School, Job Market ect. However, at the University of Maryland; like many other schools, you can create your own interdisciplinary degree. I have a strong interest in 3 areas: Business, Economics, and Politics. In addition, within my business interest, i'd like to learn more about Finance and Entrepreneurship. My plan is to double major one being this interdisciplinary degree (It is modeled after NYU's "Business and Political Economy Program" - Google it because it's a very interesting and revolutionary degree) and perhaps Economics or Finance. UMD has a great Minor Program in Entrepreneurship so if i do course work over the summer, i'm hoping to be able to graduate a double major and minor. Finally, i'll be receiving Pre-Law advising, but it's just that, only advising in case i should want to apply to law school.</p>

<p>Now, here are some questions...</p>

<p>1) How do you think employers and Grad schools will react to this "different, self created major"? </p>

<p>2) What do you think would be the best combination of degrees and minors? I have so many interests it's so hard to choose, which is why i'm considering this self created degree.</p>

<p>3) Would anyone care to discuss more information about any of the majors i'm interested in or about any degrees they created?</p>

<p>Thanks for the info guys, let the posts begin!</p>

<p>Anyone, Bump!</p>

<p>Okay, as a business major, you’ll take an intro level or overview of finance, accounting, economics, management, marketing, and more. Don’t worry about missing out on some topics.</p>

<p>Also, if you like politics, double major in business and political science or something. Or minor in political science! </p>

<p>I definitely recommend not creating your own major unless it’s a double. Specialize in econ, finance, or something to show you are committed to a topic. As you go through college, you’ll quickly realize what you do and don’t like.</p>

<p>1) Law Schools don’t care about your major. They BARELY care about your coursework. Anything business is business. For example, law schools just want to see you’re smart and able to write well (So high GPA and LSAT). MBA programs look at work experience and potential (again, major is only indirectly related to MBA admissions because of job recruitment). Most grad programs just want to see certain coursework. A political science program won’t really have too many prereqs while an economics grad program will not care for your major as long as you took certain math courses. Major in what you like and will be able to excel in. It’s like in premed where you don’t need to be a chemistry or biology major (just certain classes), but people major in premed designed majors simply for convenience. </p>

<p>And about employers: From my experience, they care more about coursework than specific major. So you’d need classes in whatever field you want (ie you can get a finance job with an econ degree if you take a finance class or two) Obviously some things like accounting require a huge amount of specific coursework for the job, or engineering, but in general, a business degree overall can land you many jobs if you know how to play your cards.</p>

<p>2) It’s nice to have interests, but I guarantee you like some things more than others. College is a learning process. I’d recommend an actual major in finance or economics with a double in political science or something that interests you (or minor). I really think a real major in a preset track will give you good coursework (at least as your primary study). Economics is ideal most likely. If you are super set on making your own, make sure you take some good intermediate or high level classes in something in order to show your ability to critically think, whether it’s finance, econ, entrepreneurship, or anything. I’d recommend finance or econ the most even though they’re common.</p>

<p>3) I’d recommend a double major in business economics and political science. With this double major, you’ll get a perspective of policies from both a business and political side. You’ll also be prepared for grad programs you’d be interested in. Lastly, a political science degree could be a good interest/talking point if you are on a business interview (because a lot of business majors are just business, which is fine and more common for people who know they want to into business like banking, marketing, etc). Also, some economics classes actually examine politics from an economics perspective (look up Public Choice).</p>

<p>Now, if economics at your school is not offered as a major within the business college, you may want to major in business administration over a liberal arts economics degree simply because learning accounting and stuff will really help you out long-run and give good perspective.</p>

<p>If you like entrepreneurship, minor in it or just take a class in it or something. No need to overkill it unless you super enjoy it (because entrepreneurship is something many people like, but no one needs a class on it to actually be an entrepreneur). </p>

<p>I am a business economics major with a potential minor in something leadership or political related, and I plan to go to law school.</p>

<p>EDIT: Just saw UM offers economics not as a business major. Taking economics or a business major will be your decision. </p>

<p>Also, I see there’s a major called “Government and Politics”. This looks like a valid alternative to political science. Again, it’s your call.</p>

<p>This was extremely informative. Thanks for the in-depth answer! </p>

<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC</p>