<p>
[quote]
its true that one can enter the management of tech companies without an engineering degree.....but thats not wat we are discussing here ... the point is how one can combine an engineering degree with a business degree 2 make a killer combination....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Is that what we're really talking about? The OP's first question was "In order to reach my goal, what type of major/degree should I get?". It is THAT question that I am answering. I don't see anything inherent in that question that requires me to talk about combining an engineering + business degree. All of his other questions are less important than his first one, because my answer to his first question basically renders his other questions irrelevant. </p>
<p>
[quote]
sakky :
its true that one can enter the management of tech companies without an engineering degree.....but thats not wat we are discussing here ... the point is how one can combine an engineering degree with a business degree 2 make a killer combination....
I think Bill Gates and co. have become a cliche.... the "he dropped out of school but is a millionaire" cliche ... Bill Gates , no doubt, was smart but he was lucky too.... Someone had 2 be lucky and he was the right person at the right place.... Someone had 2 be Bill Gates ....
However , Mortal beings like us have 2 work thru our lives 2 get to a high management post ...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Did I recommend that he drop out like Bill Gates? I am just using Bill Gates as an example to show that business success actually doesn't depend as strongly on degrees as some people think it does. That doesn't mean that everybody should drop out. But it does mean that just because you have a degree in a certain subject doesn't mean that you actually have to get a job in that subject. For example, just because you have an engineering degree doesn't mean that you have to work as an engineer. </p>
<p>So, no, I am not saying that you should drop out. Obviously mere mortals have to work to get to the high management post. All I'm saying is that you should look at who actually runs the high tech companies of America and you will see that often times, it is not an engineer. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Boss of Dell, Google, Yahoo, Apple.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Uh, the boss of Dell does not have an engineering degree. Keep in mind that Michael Dell doesn't run Dell anymore. Dell is run by Kevin Rollins, a former consultant from Bain. He is not an engineer. </p>
<p>Yahoo is run by Terry Semel, a former Hollywood executive. He is not an engineer. His bachelor's degree is in accounting from Long Island University.</p>
<p>Apple is run by Steve Jobs, who, while technically savvy, not only never studied engineering in college, he never graduated from college at all. He dropped out of Reed after 1 semester.</p>
<p>That leaves Google - and, yes, I agree that Google is run by engineers. </p>
<p>
[quote]
I want to climb up the ladder in a high tech company, and people have told me it helps with an engineering background.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree that it helps. But my point is, it is not necessary. </p>
<p>
[quote]
So, what kind of combination is better?
double degree undergrad? double degree in grad? double in both? engineering in undergrad and grad? engineering in undergrad and management in grad?...etc? which seems the best in the field?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Personally, I find double-degrees/double-majors to be highly overrated, if what you mean by that is to get 2 degrees at the same time. The truth is, employers don't care about doubles. It's not really going to make you significantly more employable. The truth is, hiring is a highly arbitrary process where you will get or not get a job based on far more elusive qualities than how many degrees you have or what your academic background is. Whether you actually get hired or not is a decision usually based on how well you do on the interview, which generally comes down to a matter of personal charisma and 'schmooziness'. I've seen people who have, quite frankly, terrible academic backgrounds nevertheless get picked for jobs over people with stellar academics. Why? Because they have top-notch interview skills. </p>
<p>I personally believe that it is a far better use of time to take whatever time you would have spent in getting the 'double' and instead using it to develop your social skills, especially your public speaking skills and interview skills. I have heard the lament countless times from people who said that they should have spent less time on academics and more time working on their interview skills. </p>
<p>Hence, my advice is to pursue the undergrad degree that fits your personality better. Later in your career, you can consider getting the MBA. An engineering undergrad + MBA is a powerful combination. But a business undergrad + MBA can also be a powerful combination, depending on your work experience.</p>