<p>Wish I would've realized it earlier. I'm seeing my limited job opportunities and am starting to have regrets. Accounting seems to be the only worthwhile business major--you can get a strong job anywhere you want with it. </p>
<p>I was stupid and decided to be an ISOM major because I thought it was interesting. I'm looking at jobs in these fields, and despite what my university told me, employers aren't asking for ISOM grads, they're asking for engineering and computer science grads. So where the hell does that leave me?? :(</p>
<p>Why do business schools even bother offering technical degrees when they're outmatched by those offered by the college of engineering? </p>
<p>If I would've known this earlier, I'dve either majored in accounting OR done engineering instead. </p>
<p>grad school?, I mean, if your interested in accounting you can go to grad school for accounting, its generally a 1 year program, but might be a little longer since you don’t have an accounting degree. YOu also need 150 credits to sit for the CPA anywya.</p>
<p>Accounting majors are preferred by employers because of technical training. Makes it easier to get jobs right out of college or in a recession. Their years as a CPA offers them a chance to view companies and industries inside and out.
However, outside of financial services and some management positions, there’s no advantage an accounting major has over an ISOM major.</p>
<p>I’m sure people are probably going to have only negative things to say about it because its not in the top 50, but I go to Loyola University Chicago</p>
<p>I agree the opportunities in accounting are endless. There are lots of jobs in this field of business. After some experience and becoming a CPA the money is really good too. I believe this is the heart of the business major and the language of business. </p>
<p>I graduated in management information systems and it is really hard getting a job in this field. Everyone wants experience. If the job is for a programmer then they want x amount of years in programming, if graphic design then x amount of years in graphic design, if networking the x amount of years in networking and so forth.</p>
<p>bigbowwasim, this is why it is CRUCIAL to get internships and coops at some point during your undergraduate career. This can be accomplished during the summers, part time while going to school etc.</p>
<p>How many business classes have you completed? How many IT classes have you completed? </p>
<p>If you have already invested a lot of time in the business major then I would stay in it. Switch your concentration to a different one. I would do accounting. </p>
<p>If you have done a lot of IT classes I would finish the concentration and do another in accounting.</p>
<p>If you have not taken too many business classes or IT classes then you can pick a different major. </p>
<p>If you have a minor in business or can get a minor soon then you can also switch to a different major if you want.</p>
<p>Unfortunately bigboy, I’m a semester away from graduating with a degree in both IS and OM, so its both too late and my plate is too full for me to switch now. I figured with all the supposed “demand” for supply chain people I’d be in a great spot for these kind of jobs, but I’m seeing an overwhelming preference from employers for industrial engineers, not ISOM grads. </p>
<p>And to be honest, I can understand that–I don’t have their quantitative background. </p>
<p>I’m thinking maybe I should get an MBA, but the ****ty part about that is if I can’t get good work experience then I’m gonna get stuck in a lousy program. My employment opportunities right now look DISMAL. </p>
<p>I’ve also considered trying to go to grad school for industrial engineering, but unfortunately I’m too behind in the math to do it right away, and my finances are pretty much sucked dry right now anyway.</p>
<p>If your gpa and extracurriculars are good, you should be able to find a job. And it is not true that supply chain people look for industrial engineers. I mean if people with political science majors can get those jobs, I’m sure you can. So I’m curious, what extracurriculars do you have and how is your gpa like?</p>
<p>I know this is kinda unneccessary, but you could always go into the Navy. Apply for Navy OCS for a SNA “student naval aviator” slot. Suprisingly, it’s good money, 70k-100k for landing jets on an aircraft carrier for God’s sake… Plus I can’t imagine what benefits they have… And once your 8 years is up, you have a free left seat with UPS/Fedex and hell MBAs love military officers! If you think your career is in the pits, you can get a restart. I’m just tryin’ to help. :p</p>
<p>i have respect for people in the military, but I have no interest in doing so myself. the main deterrent is the constant moving around. </p>
<p>this sucks because there are much easier business majors than ISOM, so its like I did all this work double majoring when I would’ve been better off just focusing fully on getting an accounting degree.</p>
<p>Look, you’ve kind of pointed out why you are having trouble landing a job in this field, which is the lack of an internship and no extracurriculars–and is not as related to your choice of major. </p>
<p>I agree it is easier to get a job in accounting–but that doesn’t mean there aren’t jobs for ISOM majors.</p>
<p>Look for jobs in the logistics field–and don’t be afraid to also look for jobs where you will do programming for firms that provide logistical programs. An example would be a company like Oracle or one like SAP, where they are constantly looking to improve their programs and need people that understand how these things work. Consider companies that need people who can help people implement their IT solutions or help sell an IT solution/program to firms with logistical problems. Consider companies that do lots of oversees outsourcing (and thus have transportation issues). A company like Seagate that produces stuff overseas would be an example (although economically, they are having some issues right now and so may be in a job freeze). Maybe companies like Apple or Motorola or HP or Cisco that ships things everywhere (these are examples from my local area where I live) would always look for people in these fields.</p>
<p>Lastly, consider that the economy right now is in a recession–and many employers are being extra, extra picky right now–meaning this may be a good time to go get a Masters degree while employers are waiting for the economy (and bookings for their products) to pick up. I’m guessing that hiring will be much, much better a year from now than it is right now. In the meantime, get extracurriculars on your resume, do networking, attend job fairs at your school–and realize that you have two goals right now–to finish your degree–and to either get a job upon graduation or get into a masters program. </p>
<p>Don’t focus only on the first goal–focus on both of them.</p>
<p>godofspore–I wouldn’t say I’m especially INTERESTED in accounting, but it just seems like such a “safe” career choice that its almost hard to say no to…especially seeing as its much harder to get a job in the fields I chose</p>
<p>Calcruzer–I agree, I don’t have the best resume, that’s for sure. The reason I really feel discouraged though is because I feel like a “fraud”. I see the way people talk around here, and its made me feel like people just perceive me as someone who was too stupid for industrial engineering and computer science, so I chose ISOM instead. </p>
<p>From what I’ve seen in the logistics field–one I find extremely interesting–most employers aren’t asking for graduates with my background. I find this very discouraging, and am unsure if an internship or extracurriculars–which I know CAN’T HURT and I SHOULD DO–would be enough to get me in there. I’m not using this as excuse though, I intend to pursue both. More than anything else, I’m just venting my insecurities like a whiny girl.</p>
<p>As for the masters degree idea, thats something I’m both not sure how to finance right now, AND I don’t have the prerequisite math for the programs I’m interested in (operations research and industrial engineering). This would definitely be my first choice though over trying to find work if I could get into one of these programs.</p>
<p>You have to do what you like most! If you don’t like accounting, it won’t be right for you! You could always work in a consulting firm with your expertise.
I can assure you that accounting majors are NOT the only business majors getting jobs. </p>
<p>Get internships, make connections. Get your name out in the world. If you do all this, you will be fine.</p>