<p>Some might go so far as to say all business degrees are useless. Most MBA students don't have a major in business. Is it actually worth it?</p>
<p>you never know if you are destined for an MBA</p>
<p>accounting</p>
<p>Yes, from any Top 25 school at least. Good starting job with a future.</p>
<p>well, it's true that you don't need to major in business to enter the business field, and majoring in business doesn't even necessarily equate to a better starting job or a leg up into good MBA programs. </p>
<p>but if you've got nothing better to do, then you might as well major in business because it's probably the most versatile and marketable undergrad degree available. </p>
<p>if you're looking into certain business concentrations, i.e. finance or accounting, then it might be better to major in business (or economics). for most other fields (investment banking, maybe management, etc.), those can be learned with company training regardless of your undergrad major.</p>
<p>As a former accounting major and current CPA, I will give you a clear cut answer: IT DEPENDS! How's that for clear cut?</p>
<p>It depends on your goals. Normally an undergraduate business degree from a secondary school isn't worth much unless it is in accounting and maybe finance or human resources. These majors are in big demand, especially accounting. I should note that there are new and up and coming majors in real estate. If you are fairly sure that you want to enter the field of real estate, this might not be a bad choice either. Not all schools have this major though. It is rather rare.</p>
<p>I should note that this juncture that if you major in accounting, be advised that in most good schools, accounting is a very tough major! It is considered a "weed out" major. The whole profession is designed to weed out people from becoming CPAs. First, the courses have a high flunk out rate at the good accounting schools that I am aware of. Schools really do try to weed out students. Secondly, it is a 5 year commitment if you want to obtain a CPA. This can be 4 years for a BBA and then a masters or you can have five years of undergrad schooling. Finally, the CPA was arguably the toughest exam among professional exams, having the lowest passing rate. First time passing rate among all those that took the exam when I took it was 10%!. I have been told, however, that with the 5 year schooling commitment, the exam is a bit easier. I haven't confirmed that this latter statement is true. Thus, if you want to major in acounting, it will be a tough, grueling haul regardless of how sharp you may be.</p>
<p>If you go to a top school such as Wharton or Carnegie Mellon or NYU or some other top name place then a business degree will be just as good as any other major. However, it is more the branding of the school and not the major that opens up the opportunities.</p>
<p>If you do major in any area of business, I STRONGLY suggest that you take some electives in writing and english. Most business majors and accounting majors are poor writers. Business curriculums just don't emphasize that skill enough. I can't stress how important good writing becomes in the business world. I do understand that many folks go into accounting or a business major because they usually aren't good writers, which is the exact reason that you need to take as much writing courses as possible. You will clearly stand out! </p>
<p>I would also suggest that you take courses that develop some clear thinking such as some philosophy and especiallly logic. Some computer training is becoming essential too. Also, take at least one and preferably two public speaking courses. Making oral presentations is very important in business. This is the one time that high level folks and customers get to evaluate you. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I am assuming that your goals are not to obtain an MBA. I would not get an undergraduate business degree if that is your goal, with the exception of the majors that I noted above. I might make an exception here if your goal is to obtain a PHD in business and teach college.</p>
<p>Bottom line : a business degree from a very good, name brand school will hold you in good stead as long as you can write well and speak well too. If you don't attend a top school and you want a busness major, I would strongly recommend accounting and to a lesser extent finance or human resources. However, under all circumstances take courses in writing ( especially technical writing), logic, and computer applications. In addition, don't forget to take at least one and preferably two courses in public speaking. I would also take a course or two in philosophy,but that is my opinion and not as mandatory as the other suggestions.</p>
<p>As you can see, you need to go beyond simply being a business major. If you follow my advice, you will be in big demand.</p>
<p>Natually, all of this is my opinion. You may get a lot of different answers from different folks. I am sure some will tell you NOT to get an undergraduate degree in business but focus on liberal arts to develop clear thinking and writing. I do believe , however, that what I have said above holds true, especially for the majors noted above.</p>
<p>Whew, I guess I gave you more than you asked for. Sorry for being so wordy.</p>
<p>Although this might sound bad, the fact is, many if not most MBA students are not there for the classes. They are there for the networking, the clubs, the activities, and and all the other stuff - to the point that many MBA students consider learning anything in the the actual classes to be secondary goals.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Finally, the CPA was arguably the toughest exam among professional exams, having the lowest passing rate.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>CPA may have the lowest passing rate but if one takes into account of the quality of candidates (i've seen many dumb accountants!), I would say actuarial exams are more difficult. CPA is a lot easier to get than getting FSA or even just ASA. Sorry that I digress from the OP.</p>
<p>What kind of degrees would help you get your foot in the door for investment-banking?</p>
<p>Based on the few investment bankers that I have met, any degree from a top name university would do it IF you also get very good grades from that school. When I refer to a top name university, I am not referring to great schools like the Clairmont school. Top name schools would be HYPS, or ivy school or top LACS such as Williams etc. However, I only know a few folks who are investment bankers, but these all attended top schools.</p>
<p>I've always wondered about this myself. Does an undergrad degree in business garner any respect at all? I know it helps when you apply for your first job but from there on it's what you do in the professional world taht counts right?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most MBA students don't have a major in business. Is it actually worth it?
[/quote]
I'm not so sure. If you count business with economics in terms of undergrad degrees, I think you'll find that at most schools, it was in fact the most prevalent undergraduate field of study of its applicants.
[quote]
Does an undergrad degree in business garner any respect at all?
[/quote]
It depends on the branding of the school. Stern and Wharton degrees arguably carry more respect than a pliberaly arts degree from their respective institutions. Inexplicably, many unrelated to the field have some sort of bias against it. One poster not too long ago even questioned whether people even learn anything in a business major. Sheesh.</p>
<p>well actually more than 55% go into engineering/science and economics is not a business degree.</p>
<p>thats what I have read</p>
<p>It's somewhat misleading not to include economics with business as most of the top XX schools do not offer business as a major, and students who would otherwise be business majors are forced to take the next closest thing - economics.</p>
<p>Further, MBA schools look at quality of business-related work experience first and foremost in admissions. Unless your non business degree is in engineering, something quantitative, or a liberal arts degree from a top school, then an undergrad business degree affords you the most opportunities to attain significant business-related work experience that MBA schools will look favorably upon.</p>
<p>A better question is of whther a liberal arts major is worth it</p>
<p>I've got to tell you that one of my neighbors told me
there's no substitute for a liberal arts curriculum.
He's an MD, about 75 years old, not yet retred ... he graduated from Harvard more than 50 years ago!</p>
<p>Perhaps things have changed since his time? During
my college visits, one college counsellor was talking about
how some of the students position themselves for
multiple hot job offers upon graduation ... combining
a business major, study/work abroad, summer jobs,
and community service.</p>
<p>Yous hould also ask yourself what are your chances of getting into a top 10 MBA program some day. Perhaps
5,000 people get to do it per year? Are you going
to be one of them? I think an undergrad business
program at a top school will beat a second tier MBA
any day, any place. My 2 cents.</p>
<p>My brother has a business degree. He's a fireman--that's a really hot job--with flexible hours and early retirement. . .</p>
<p>Oohhh, anecdotal evidence. Tell us atomom, where did you rbrother go to school?</p>
<p>Not any top business school! Just having fun with previous post's reference to "hot jobs." There was an economic slump when my bro. graduated (early 90s), which is why he looked into firefighting. Having the degree actually helped him advance faster, get paid more as a fireman--it's a great job for him. (I also have a sister with a 4-year accounting degree--from Miami U.--who passed the CPA first try and has never been hurting for good-paying jobs).</p>
<p>of course it's worth it....(I'm talking about top undergrad business schools here)</p>
<p>some people don't like it coz they are jealous of the amount of money these business grads are getting...</p>
<p>but if you are talking about some really average school's undergrad biz program...i gotta tell you man...it's still worth it, you learn SOMETHING about operation of the business world, i guess...but it's hard to compete with someone from Wharton.......</p>