<p>Im at UCONN and despite its reputation, am not really stupid. I got mediocre grades in high school due to sheer laziness, but I am taking things seriously now and have a 4.0. With that said below is my predicament:</p>
<p>Im having a real hard time picking a major and have reached a crossroad in my fourth semester of school. I have performed a lot of self-analysis and have determined that my sole goal in life is to make more money than my hated older brother who is getting his MBA. I am currently on track to get a BA in economics which is in CLAS, but was wondering if switching to the Business school and recieving a degree in Accounting or Finance would give me a better shot at making the big bucks. Which will prepare me for a career that will help me rise above and get into at least a decent MBA program? I know that your work experience is the most important criteria that MBA admissions offices consider so I was wondering which would give me the better shot at ideal work experience.</p>
<p>EDIT: I have heard from my advisors that Economics or for that matter any liberal arts major will allow you to get into MBA programs, but is this really true? I mean its hard to take their advice at face value, since their jobs are dependent upon people believing (whether true or not) that the liberal arts really do confer upon you some benifits.</p>
<p>EDIT: Im also discovering in my economics course that very little of it is actually going to be applicable to real life jobs. Just because it deals with money doesn't mean it instills in you any knowledge that is more practical than History or English which was a misconception I had coming in.</p>
<p>I say definitley switch to the somewhat reputable undergrad business School UConn offers and keep up that GPA. If you graduate at the top of your class from UConn, you should definitley land a half decent job and that GPA should give you the edge when being stacked up against kids from public schools with comparable reps when MBA admissions time rolls around. Maybe the UMich, UVA, UC, UTexas, student will have a leg-up on you, but the UMCP, Penn State Grads, etc. won't have that much of an advantage, especially if you graduate with a 4.0. </p>
<pre><code> As for the Business/Econ decision- I will share with you what I hear passed around on this forum. Econ majors usually do better on GMAT's. But the skills learned like you stated are not very applicable to real life jobs. Also note that econ majors coming from schools like UChicago, Northwestern, Any Ivy (even Penn's CAS), and also the top ranked LAC's like Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, are in a much different situation from where you are.
When discussing a school like UConn, the Business majors seem like better people to employ because they require less training and should be more knowledgeable about thier specialized fields.
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<p>Also I am a high school senior and I know very little about what employers actually want. I am merely reiterating the underlying notions that I have picked up from this board. In no way is this a disclaimer, for so far what I have learned has proven to be true and I wouldn't say it if i didn't myself believe in it.</p>
<p>Econ majors aren't taught to do, they are taught to think. Econ will give you the analytical and quantitative skill sets to perform any number of jobs, from practicing law to trading derivatives. </p>
<p>I'm not familiar with UCONN's programs so I can't offer much advice as to which will land you a better paying job, but keep in mind that no matter what job it is, you aren't going to make money if you hate what you are doing. The question you should be asking yourself is "what would get me out of bed every morning?" </p>
<p>Some lawyers make very good money, as do ibankers and consultants. But in order to get to that point you should find something that really interests you. </p>
<p>Here's a good way to think about it....if you were absolutely minted--I mean billionaire minted--what would you do with your life? Granted this won't solve all of your problems but you shouldn't decide what you are going to do with the rest of your life based on money because if you hate what you do chances are you won't be very good at it. even if you are good at it you will probably be miserable for a while so it really defeats the purpose. </p>
<p>choose whatever major interests you most--both will offer you opportunities in many fields.</p>
<p>But does anyone really find business interesting? I mean I find it very hard to believe that any accountant really enjoys what they do and doesn't view it as a simple way to make a good salary. </p>
<p>I think Im going to go for economics. Thanks for the advice, it helped in making my choice.</p>
<p>
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But does anyone really find business interesting?
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</p>
<p>Business is overwhelmingly fascinating, IMO. It has a lot of different elements that are constantly changing and challenging. Economics is a good degree, I wouldn't fault you for that. From what I can tell, Accounting/Economics/Finance are very closely related in a lot of ways.</p>
<p>I would like for you to know that I am also going to the same school as you are, and that I am already in the accounting program. Ironically, I am thinking about getting a dual major in accounting and economics. I think the combination of the two will give an excellent basis for evaluating a business. I then plan on working for a big four cpa firm, and then either starting my own cpa firm or going to law school. I would be interested in knowing what you plan on possible doing with your degree in economics, and why you are interested in accounting. If you have any questions or commments, feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:mustang06333@yahoo.com">mustang06333@yahoo.com</a>.</p>
<p>Get your degree in accounting and work for a big four accounting firm... in 5 years when you make senior manager and are pulling down 90-100K, you'll be glad you did.
Then, after 10-15 years, possibly make partner or start your own CPA firm and make 200K+.
Accounting is a great undergrad major.</p>
<p>"Im at UCONN and despite its reputation, am not really stupid"</p>
<p>Oh my. You think people who go to UCONN are stupid? </p>
<p>Why do so many of you kids on these forums talk like idiots? It's as if you don't go to an Ivy league school, or if you can't make 150k+ by age 30 you are trash.</p>