I’m debating after community college whether I should get a BBA from UCR or go to UCLA and get a BA degree in either Business Economics or Economics. I’m trying to focus on Finance but I don’t know what to do, since UCLA doesn’t have a BBA program. Also, the reason I want to go to UCLA rather than UCR is because it’s easier to get job if they see you graduated from UCLA.
Does this question refer to where you should go this upcoming fall? If not, then calm down, and don’t worry about this until you’ve applied and are accepted.
If you’ve already been accepted and are trying to decide, have you visited both schools? Is there one that appeals to you more beyond “it’s easier to get a job if I go here” or “this one is more prestigious”? Because frankly, once you’re out of college for a few years and have actual work experience behind you, nobody particularly cares where you got your degree. Even for jobs right out of college, any employer who discounts you just because you went to UCR instead of UCLA isn’t an employer you want to be working for. Any decent employer would be more interested in your skill set and personal qualities than your school.
If you specifically want to do finance and UCR is the only one that offers finance, then go with UCR. If UCLA’s potential majors offer the kinds of classes you’re looking for despite not being finance majors in name, then by all means go for UCLA. But if a school doesn’t offer what you’re looking for, you shouldn’t go there solely because it’s more prestigious or “it’s easier to get a job”.
^ In an ideal world, what you wrote could only happens (in reference to employers attitude)!
^ In the real world, it is what happens. Nobody cares where you went to school, especially not after you have work experience under your belt.
I’m currently a freshman business major at UCR. It’s a myth that employers will instantly like you more based on the prestige of the school. They care way more about what you do in that time.
Biggest benefit of UCR: It’s not as competitive. Simple as that. As a freshman, i’ve become VP of a large business club (had shoo-in opportunities for plenty more at other similar organizations), became the youngest small business consultant at the UCR SCNO (students consulting for non-profit organizations) chapter, and am already on track to moving up in all these respective organizations. I’m on the Dean’s List, on track to the Chancellors, enrolled in University Honors, and in an honor society that accepts the top 10%.
All of this was easier to achieve than you think. When a large portion of UCR doesn’t have the ambition or drive, it makes it easier to stand out.
Now imagine if I was doing business at UCB or business econ at UCLA. From anecdotal info from my sister who went to UCB, just to join one of the consulting or business clubs (not get a position, but only membership) requires a grueling application process with fierce competition from your peers.
That being said, personally, I would choose whichever one fits your major more and whichever you enjoy the vibe more.