Economics vs Business Admin or Management as MAJOR???

<p>Ok so I am applying to many top business programs in the country and my goal is to eventually be somewhere in management. My dream job would be in corporate management. I was told by my economics teacher that if i was planning to pursue an MBA later, that getting an undergrad degree in ECON would be beneficial to working in management later. But I am wondering whether it is better to get a degree in BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OR MANAGEMENT instead because of the direction of my career. Can I still get into business management with an Undergrad Economics degree?????</p>

<p>Please help me, this is important as I need to pick majors with which to apply to my schools</p>

<p>Thanks so much
Jayden</p>

<p>Yes, a degree in econ would be fine. Much of management is being able to analyze and solve problems, and also to write clearly. So if you augment you econ classes with some extra math, philosophy, or English classes, so much the better. A lot of the better MBA programs would prefer that you studied something other than business as an undergrad, too. When solving problems, it is a big help to be able to look at the situation from different perspectives, and each subject trains you to look at things in a different way...if all you've ever studied is business, you will have pretty much just one perspective on things. For example, philosophy continually emphasizes logic, the differences between theory and practice, and aspects that are not readily apparent. Likewise, English teaches you to read carefully, write precisely, and to read between the lines (to infer things that are not on the surface).</p>

<p>thanks so much! you dont know how much that helped :)</p>

<p>I would just like to add that your undergrad major doesn't matter all that much. I know, I'm a college student too, and we tend to think Major = future, but that's not always the case. If you want to pursue an MBA, your options aren't limited to Econ/Business, although those are great choices. Either one will help you out a lot, so choose what you're more interested in. Btw, i'm an Econ major and I might get an MBA also. I notice a lot of us plan to follow up with masters in business, don't worry, you are not alone :)</p>

<p>An indication of just how non-necessary an undergrad business degree is, few of the tip top universities, and almost none of the top liberal arts colleges have undergrad business programs.</p>

<p>great, that takes a lot of pressure off of me, i have been told by so many of how important undergrad is, but im starting to realize that its not as important as is made out</p>

<p>So, if you eventually want to get a MBA, is Econ better? (I've heard conflicting things :( )</p>

<p>And say I go to the schools listed in US News' "A+ schools for B students" (It's basically schools after the #50), would an Econ degree still be better in terms of job search?</p>

<p>you see, that is where i tend to think your major does matter. my dream job is in management but an econ degree would only land me a job as an economist or something. unlikely i could go straight into management. its a tough decision but i decided to keep it half and half. some schools I am trying to do econ, some i selected business. I am jsut waiting to see what happens.</p>

<p>Thanks jay. Ya, my dream job is in Management too, I really dunno what to choose. If you don't mind me asking, what colleges are you applying to?</p>

<p>Edit: nvm, I looked at your chances thread and it's crazy. I have the exact same GPA (Full IB :D, Full IB/AP classes all 4 years too), except my PSAT score is a bit lower and my APUSH score will probably be a bit higher. Good Luck :)</p>

<p>But I'm only a Junior and there's an excellent chance my GPA will end up much lower than yours by the time I'm a Senior...:p</p>

<p>
[quote]
So, if you eventually want to get a MBA, is Econ better?

[/quote]
No, good work experience the 4-6 years after college is the key factor. Top programs care about this, not too much about your major. And to land a good job right out of college, going to a prestigious college helps because that's where many top firms recruit. No matter where you go or what you major in, a key factor in landing a good job is to have internships in college. Businesses are much more interested in hiring someone who has real experience and can explain what they'd like to do over someone who can only say they think they'd like to work in a certain area.</p>

<p>
[quote]
And to land a good job right out of college, going to a prestigious college helps because that's where many top firms recruit

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Thing is, my stats aren't so hot and more likely than that, I'll end up at a non-prestigious college. So I'm worried what is more attractive to employers, an Econ degree from a mediocre college or a Business degree from a mediocre college?</p>

<p>Bump ?</p>

<p>It makes more sense to major in Business if you know that's what you want to do. I was considering majoring in Economics when I first started, but most of the jobs for Econ majors involve crunching numbers for the government. Yuck. You'll have a lot more success landing a management job with a management degree undergrad, if you want to do that right out of college.</p>

<p>well half of my schools are econ
but cant i get a management job anyways with an econ degree? is it that major strict for jobs???? i certainly hope not!!!!!!</p>

<p>yeah
econ is good
for sure</p>

<p>
[quote]
It makes more sense to major in Business if you know that's what you want to do. I was considering majoring in Economics when I first started, but most of the jobs for Econ majors involve crunching numbers for the government. Yuck. You'll have a lot more success landing a management job with a management degree undergrad, if you want to do that right out of college.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
yeah
econ is good
for sure

[/quote]
</p>

<p><em>sigh</em>...I guess there's no consensus on this matter :(</p>

<p>Parent and employer -- </p>

<p>go with econ, fina or acct if you can -- banks, fin inst want quant skills. </p>

<p>bus or marketing is sometimes indicative of people with less quant skills.</p>