Hi, I am currently a junior in high school and I have a question about if it is effective or ok to get a undergrad degree in engineering then major in business administration. Would this be alright or should just focus on just the business side or engineering side (example:minor and major in engineering/business)
Thank You!
You can do it, and it is a very good option. MIT has a program to do just that, for example. People I know who have done this typically start out as “Product Managers.” They “own” a product, interface with customers, and develop market niches (and recommend feature set changes) for the product. Eventually, this can turn into a general manager position and then into executive management if you are successful. Because you understand the technology (and your customer), plus you understand pricing, markets, etc.; you can champion a product into great niches.
I know quite a few people who have done this, and they are among the most career-successful people I know. They are now VPs & directors of major engineering companies. I know a couple who went into investment banking.
To get the most milage out of it, it is better to actually work several years as an engr BEFORE going on to get the MBA. I also know a couple of engrs that got law degrees. They’ve opened a very successful law practice.
The marketplace really values people who have technical expertise AND organizational/legal know-how. The ones who ONLY have the business skills or legal skills are a dime a dozen.
Thank you so much, do you recommend any colleges for engineering/business administration?
do you recommend any colleges for engineering/business administration? Do you also know the best field of engineering i can go into?
I go to Univ Alabama and I am majoring in chemical engineering and I am in a program called STEM path to the MBA where any student in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, can take an extra 1.5 credit hours per semester of general business classes, apply to graduate school junior year, and then get an MBA. I have friends who are majoring in all the different types of engineering, biology, pre-med, etc and are in the STEM program, in fact, I believe most of the people I know who are engineers, are in the STEM program, so it is not at all uncommon and I would urge you into applying (UA has amazing automatic scholarships), as you can only get into the program freshman year. However, no matter what school you go to, as long as you take business classes, like econ, acounting, marketing, etc, take the GMAT, and apply to graduate business schools, you can definitely pursue and MBA.
As to what type of engineering you should go into, that is up to your strengths. I am good at chemistry, so I chose chemical and I’m loving it. Other people are good at circuits(electrical) and they understand it and others like to work with their hands and get dirty building cars and lawn mowers and engines(mechanical). Some are more outgoing and design oriented(civil) and others really enjoy biology(biomed). The first year of classes are all general and you get a feel of what you like and what you don’t like. However, I would strongly caution that if you don’t enjoy physics and don’t understand it by the end of your first year, engineering is not for you. Every concept in core engineering classes, is based upon your understanding of physics. Chemical engineers take the least amount of physics. Electrical engineers have to take special higher level physics in magnetism and electricity, than just the general physics with electricity and magnetism that everyone has to take. Also, biomedical engineering is more physics and biophysics than biology.
However, most schools it is difficult to switch your major, especially after your first year. At UA I can easily switch my major to anything I want, but some schools require applications to the college, and then to the major and have select few spots for particular majors. I would keep that in mind if you plan on changing your mind at all, because once you get into a specific engineering, it is difficult to swap for another.
One more thing I wanted to mention is the desirability of an engineer with an MBA. Engineers understand the process of design, construction, cost, research, etc. Business people understand the logistics, implementation, etc. Businesses want people who understand all aspects, from the ground up, who can have a better understanding to manage a department or a company better. Many companies are sending engineers to get their MBA because of this. In today’s society, well rounded people are wanted so that they can understand all views on life, and it is just the same way in business. People should understand all the aspects of a company to effectively run it.
Hope this helps, and goodluck with all your future endeavours!
@Collegeboy100, having an undergrad in Engg. and an MBA paves the way for a successful career path in the corporate world. I did my undergrad Mech Engg, followed by an MBA in Finance. I work for a VC firm (not KPCB) in the Bay area.
A sample of profiles of senior leadership teams at two well-know firms:
KPCB - http://www.kpcb.com/teams
Google - http://www.google.com/about/company/facts/management/
Check out how many have dual degrees in Engg. and Business Admin.
I am hoping that my D2 (she is a Freshman at GTech planning to major in ChemE) follows in my footsteps 
It’s a popular combination. 30% of CEOs have undergrad engineering. I would guess most of them have MBAs or Executive MBAs. But I think work a few years first.