Getting a marketing Masters Degree as a math major?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

Hello everyone!

I am a senior at the University of Michigan studying applied mathematics with a concentration in operations and modeling.

Since I no longer enjoy the “math world” and have had difficulty finding an internship in a more applied field (such as business analytics, operations, or supply chain) without a degree in one of those fields, I thought that getting an MBA would be a good way for me to still use my mathematics background but be able to branch out into something I enjoy more.
I was looking into applying to two business schools in Italy, Luiss and Bocconi University.
I would like to avoid finance, even though it is the obvious math-business hybrid. I was looking for something a bit more creative.
Bocconi offers a great data and business analytics program, which I have already applied to. Unfortunately Luiss does not offer this program, however they offer a program called “Marketing Metrics and Analytics”. I thought this looked interesting for me, as it sounds pretty “mathy” while at the same time fun and creative, but I have heard repeatedly that marketing is considered very easy and “a waste of time”, especially for someone who has studied math.
I would like to hear your opinion on studying marketing as a math major. I would like to know if you think there is a good connection between the two and if it is a wise decision for my future.

Thank you :slight_smile:

2

Can math background help in marketing? Absolutely. Marketing these days is so much about data and models (e.g. audience/customers/markets/products). Having said that, I don’t know the situation in Italy, but in the US, MBA immediately after undergrad doesn’t help and is not worth it.

3

maybe check out some 1 year business analytics programs such as UCLA, USC, University of Virginia, etc

https://www.commerce.virginia.edu/ms-commerce/business-analytics
http://www.smu.edu/Cox/FutureStudents/MasterOfScienceDegrees/MSinBusinessAnalytics
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/master-of-science-in-business-analytics

4

It would be too soon to apply for an MBA. They usually expect you to have 3-5 years of experience. I think you need to get some kind of Marketing certifications and possibly a one year masters in marketing analytics. Then work a few years before going for an MBA

5

At the research level, Marketing is dividend into Quantitative and Consumer Behavior tracks. One thing you could consider is a specialized master’s in quantitative marketing.

6

FWIW the OP has not been back to CC since Nov., 2017