I have been wondering about undergraduate business schools (Wharton, Ross, etc.). For any of you who are alumni of such schools, in retrospect do you feel that you missed out on a traditional education? Do you feel that your undergrad years were too single-tracked, vocational, career-focused? Do you regret it?
The reason I ask is because I was struck by this comment by a University of Michigan student over in the UMich thread:
And these two comments by the parent of a Ross student:
What do you all think? Is the opportunity cost of an undergrad business degree too high because you miss the once-in-a-lifetime chance to try a broad range of learning? Or are the high-paying jobs right out of college worth it?
It depends on how much the parent can afford to subsidize the liberal arts student either as a boomerang kid or while they are in law school or MBA school.
Most business schools require up to 50% arts and science classes. Either as foundation subjects for business: economics, psychology, sociology, math etc. or as free electives. Business school curricula are not as restrictive as engineering school.
Well, I don’t really subscribe to that notion—IF the student goes to a top university or LAC. A history major at University of Pennsylvania is likely to find good employment. I don’t know any top liberal arts grads who were lounging around their parents’ house after graduation. They all have god jobs at companies like American Express, Google, and Morgan Stanley, or they are at advertising agencies, media companies, etc.
I knew a lot of UMich grads, and I don’t know anyone who didn’t have something lined up for after they graduated (whether it be grad school or work) but I’m sure there were some who I didn’t know who didn’t have anything lined up.
Yes. And yes, either at graduation or shortly thereafter. I know a current UPenn senior with a liberal arts major (not sure which subject) who secured her post-graduation job in November. I know a history major at Lafayette who got a job within three months of graduation. And I know a psychology major from Tufts who has been continuously employed since graduating five years ago. I know a Brown history major who is a well-known news reporter on a national network. I know a Colgate grad who works in a big media company. None of these people have graduate degrees. Folks, this is not unusual.
I’ve always felt that people over-exaggerate the unemployability of non-business, non-STEM students and the soullessness of business students. I frequently read comments here and in other places that make it sound as if business students are somehow exempt from courses on math, languages, history, literature, and other subjects like that. I’m sure there are some schools like that, but the whole point of a general education program is to ensure that every student has exposure to these subjects even if they don’t end up majoring in them. If these universities are letting business school students off the hook, then the problem is with the entire university and not just with the business program.
I’ve noticed a good pushback against the stereotypes about liberal arts students though, which is good news for those of us who have evolved beyond stereotypes and live in the real world. I was an accounting student, but I’ll admit I did a little cheer in my head when someone posted the “scared straight intervention for liberal arts students” and pretty much everyone who posted tore it apart.
I went to Wharton years ago and had plenty of opportunity to pursue my liberal arts interests. I don’t think you give up much by doing a business undergraduate degree.
During the recent recession there were scores of articles about grads of elite liberal arts and Ivy schools who were unemployed or very underemployed after graduation. Short memories here I guess.And there is a lifetime to pursue other learning. Even more so today right in your basement or home office.
I think everybody is overlooking the critical consideration of an individual’s aptitude and enthusiasm. Someone who hates Math, and struggles in it, should not be pushed into either a Business or STEM program any more than a painfully shy individual should be directed toward a Theater major or someone with poor fine-motor and spatial skills should be pushed into Architecture. I took some Business classes in graduate school, with disastrous outcomes (I hadn’t taken Math since I was a junior in high school, when I barely passed Algebra II/Trig on my second attempt at it). Plenty of people have successful lives and even highly lucrative careers without being strong in quantitative fields.
And even shorter memories of those who forget the hordes of aerospace engineers let go in the 90’s, the tens of thousands of CS grads unemployed in 2001, and the coming “race to the bottom” in petroleum engineering.
There is no degree which represents the golden ticket.
I dispute the premise that a business school precludes a “traditional education”. I have an undergrad business degree. I still took courses in literature, creative writing, politics, history, etc. They were some of my most enjoyable courses. Being career focused and having an end game don’t prevent you from pursuing other interests.
Here’s some grist for the mill. It’s about Colgate and the value of a traditional liberal arts education - core curriculum yes, business major no. It’s all about the faculty, engaged students and the alumni network.
I think you might be overreacting to the data you picked up on CC in the UMich thread. Full disclosure, I am not a grad of Wharton or Ross. Whatever UG Biz school you end up in you can always supplement your LA education and/or “soft skills” along the way. No big deal. Not a big concern. In fact, I think it is a good thing, a very good thing, when Biz programs emphasize careers and vocational skills. Why pussy foot around? If you know what you want, if you know your “end game” it is time to go for it full steam ahead. Just my $.02.