I am a junior in high school and starting to narrow down my college choices. My passion is computer science, but I also enjoy aspects of business such as finance and economics. I may eventually want to open up my own software development company and I think a background in business would be extremely beneficial in helping me succeed. I could also see myself working in finance if for some reason computer science does not work out. Would it be better to obtain a double major in computer science and another business related major, or should I just stick to computer science and get a job after I graduate without having to attend more college. Going straight into the job market would likely help me return to school sooner and get my MBA rather than having to work more before returning to school because I earned a double major. Or, are both things valuable enough that I should plan to earn both a double major and an MBA. The reason I am curious is because I am looking at some colleges that are very strong in engineering, but do not have a business programs. As a result I want to know if I should avoid them because I wouldn’t be able to double major.
I’m not quite sure why you think that double-majoring in business and computer science would require more work experience before returning to graduate school to get an MBA than simply majoring in computer science would. Honestly, for what you want to do I don’t think it matters what you choose to major in. Plenty of people start tech firms with only one or the other major; if you major in CS, you can simply team up with someone who has the business/finance knowledge. You don’t have to know or do everything yourself.
I don’t think you have to make any decisions at this juncture. I don’t think you should rule out the engineering schools that don’t have business programs, though. Just apply anywhere that seems appealing and then see what happens when the acceptances and financial aid packages come in next April.
@juillet Sorry for rambling on in my post, but I did not mean I would need more work experience to get my MBA if I double majored. What I was trying to say was that if I double major I will spend more time working on my undergraduate degree and as a result will not start working as quickly which means I would have to wait longer to start my MBA. My question is if double majoring and going back to get my MBA is worth the extra time and work over majoring in computer science and then eventually earning an MBA.
No, if you have to take more years in undergrad that is both time, money and opportunity cost. Not worth it. You can take some of the types of classes a business major would like for electives, like econ. Also you could take more applied math. CS people can work in finance areas, doing modeling. CS people don’t just have to do production software and delivery.