<p>I'm a senior in high school currently thinking of what I would like to do in the future. In high school I am currently taking "Advanced Marketing" which has currently inspired me to pursue a career in business and marketing in general. I was curious though if I get a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration (with an emphasis in Marketing) would I be open to the same job opportunities as someone with a Bachelors degree in Marketing? Such as maybe advertising, marketing analysis, or possibly a marketing manager? (let's imagine for the marketing I don't get an MBA, but I haven't decided that route yet) thank you guys!</p>
<p>Yes. I have even heard people with a undergrad in music theory being chosen over business undergrads when both have MBAs. Certain jobs require a level of creativity that employers look for. Have a creative undergrad will allow you to keep your options more open and appear creative to employers.</p>
<p>Ignore the above poster.</p>
<p>Almost all reputable MBA programs effectively require around 3 years of work experience, either by rule or just by not admitting anyone with less. Your work experience is generally the most important element of your B-school application, therefore what you do out of undergrad matters. Yes, if you get that psychology degree or music degree and then miraculously get a job as an investment banker, nobody will care about your undergrad degree after you graduate with an MBA. The problem is that won’t happen. What will happen is you will be a cashier at Walmart and the only B-school that will take you will be DeVry.</p>
<p>Agree with Rubin 100%. </p>
<p>You might get lucky with a psychology major, but why take that chance? You will have an infinite number more opportunities with a BS in marketing. IF you are pursuing a marketing job that is in a very technical field (pharmaceuticals, technology), it might be of benefit to pursue a technical field in undergrad and then get your MBA with a concentration in marketing.</p>
<p>Everyone these days gets MBAs right out of undergrad. 3 to four years of work experience is total bull. I’m not arguing theory. I have talked to employers and no people with creative undergrads in the business field and they are not working at Walmart.</p>
<p>Actually, you can get an MBA without work experience. But not at a good school unless you have some truly amazing stats and internships, and if not, it will not likely lead to exciting or well-paying job prospects.</p>
<p>The fact that “everyone these days gets an MBA right out of undergrad” is key to consider. There is an overabundance of MBAs. Nearly every business school offers an MBA, but there aren’t enough well-paying jobs to make the extra costs worth it for many people. Many agree that an MBA is only worth it if 1) your company is paying for you to advance your education, or 2) it is at a top business school (e.g., Harvard, UPenn, Kellogg) with excellent placement rates. </p>
<p>A lot of marketing grad programs also really like people with psych, math/stats, and other undergraduate majors than just business. The focus in undergrad and the focus in grad school programs can be very different. Psychology works very well with a marketing intent - especially if you’re interested in research methods and statistics, as well as social psychology.</p>
<p>Jon,</p>
<p>I was talking about MBA’s, which are Masters in Business Administration. People get these after 3 years of experience, give or take. I think you are thinking of MDA’s, Masters of Debt Accumulation. Those are a little different. Here’s one:</p>
<p>[Admissions</a> Overview | Graduate School Admissions Process | Keller](<a href=“http://www.keller.edu/admissions]Admissions”>Graduate School Admissions Requirements | DeVry - Keller)</p>
<p>Interesting thread - I have connections on a couple aspects mentioned here.</p>
<p>I have a friend from the MBA program I went to who got her bachelor in psych and then got her MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship. She has had a career in marketing brand management for some well-known companies (you would recognize the names). She is now a marketing & strategy consultant. She got her MBA in a 5-years to get both bachelor & master program, so no work experience before the MBA. </p>
<p>I am one of those “music undergrads” who later went on to get an MBA. I had 5 years between degrees - 3 as a teacher, about 1/2 year working for a law firm, and 1.5+ years working for a non-profit company (not music related). I have been working in business/technology for 20+ years now, so that transition worked for me. </p>
<p>Maybe my friend and I are exceptions, but it certainly is possible to take those two paths. </p>
<p>Also, I think the executive MBA programs always require work experience. I’m not sure the traditional MBA programs always do, although I suspect they prefer people to have some experience.</p>
<p>Rubin is awesome</p>