<p>I just got done with all my engin prerequisites last semester and started my sophomore year at UMich. Although I’m majoring in ME now, I’m not sure if I want to be an engineer for the rest of my life. I have a very strong interest in finance and business. Since UMich has a highly ranked BBA program and offers a BBA/Engin dual degree program, I was wondering if I should do that and spend an extra year in school? So here’s my options:</p>
<li>Do the BBA/Engin dual degree, spend 4-4.5 years in school.</li>
<li>Graduate early with a BSME and get a finance related job. Hopefully will come back for an MBA in 3-5 years.</li>
</ol>
<p>What do you guys think? I know I won’t find a definite answer but just want to hear some pros and cons that you guys can come up with. Thanks!</p>
<p>Go with option 1 only because you went into ME thinking you might like engineering and found out you didn’t, at least not as much as you’d like to make it a career choice. Getting the BBA jointly will give you more exposure to that world, allowing you to make a more clear decission on the business world. Additionally, it will get you the additional degree which will open more doors for you, giving you more opportunities.</p>
<p>I still like ME and engineering in general. I looked a little deeper into the engineering career site here at UMich (HireME). I found several job posts from the big names in the biz world like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Chicago Trading etc. Now since those big names do hire engineers, it makes me wonder if a BBA/MBA is really necessary to get into the banking industry.</p>
<p>If UMich offers the dual degree go for it! You never know about the future and may not get back for an MBA.</p>
<p>If not, I would concentrate on getting the engineering degree. I have a ChemE degree and was always interested in business as well. I worked for a few years and my employer paid for my MBA (went part time while I was working). I’m in the oil biz.</p>
<p>Another route is to get into commodities trading. Large energy companies, such as BP and Chevron have commodity trading programs for young, new hires.</p>
<p>Yes, you’re right, banks do hire engineers. The competition for the jobs are steep, but engineers have the analytical brainpower to be successful at 'em.</p>
<p>I tried to fill out the excel template just for fun. Because all the biz classes don’t overlap with my engin classes, I will have to spend at least 1.5 yr extra if I get accepted in Fall 08. An additional 1.5 years in school means a lot of money not earned from my future job. The way the ME undergrad program is structured here at UMich makes it really hard to get 2nd major or even a minor.</p>
<p>Anyone know if investment banks really care if their prospective employees have a BBA?</p>
<p>Ah okay. Thanks for the info. It isn’t really a dual-degree program in any sense other than that it’s possible. You have to do every single requirement for both schools, which takes years and years and isn’t all that different from just getting two separate degrees consecutively.</p>
<p>All engineering programs at Umich are rather tough to do concurrently with anything else.</p>
<p>i’m thinking about getting a math minor instead. i see several major banks (i-banking particularly) have job posts on HireMe. too bad the ME program isn’t flexible like the Aero one, which allows advanced math courses to fulfill its tech electives. looks i’m going to have to take some additional credits besides using up all my free electives if i decide to get a math minor.</p>
<p>Mr100% - I don’t know if this is something that you might be interested in investigating. My S is also majoring in ME. Since he also has an interest in business, he has decided to minor in Economics. General Education requirements at his school require 6 hours of social studies, 6 hours of humanities, and 6 hours of arts (6-6-6) for graduation, but allows for 9-6-3. The Econ minor requires 18 hours of Economics classes. By applying the 9-6-3 approach, he can get the minor with only 3 additional 3 hour courses without affecting his graduation date.</p>
<p>karp, thanks for the advice. i’ve almost used up all my humanities and free elective credits. the most i can do is a math minor without affecting my grad date too much. but then again, i’d rather do a co-op and get some experience. i think most likely i’ll end up being an engineer for a few years after graduation. then i’ll come back for an MBA.</p>