Degree that will get me farther?

[f_m]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

A managers first (and often times only) responsibility is to make sure that the business (or owners) continues to make money. A lame position if you have any sort of heart or good friends working below you and the reason why many business's hire their managers from outside instead of promoting from within.

Depends on the company, although most of the goals are to just make money.

Originally Posted by K-Luv

People skills? Maybe, sometimes. You mostly have to have the cajones to tell people to do stuff when you know that what ever it is you 'want' them to do is bs.

Well, there's a difference between telling people to do something, and getting them to do it well. It's like being a salesperson. You can tell someone to get the work done by X date, but if you only get a terrible job as the result, that's not going to meet the goals. A successful manager will be able to get people to do things well and on time.

[f_m]

Originally Posted by acrylic

Maybe this is scaring me a lot more because I keep hearing stories of people going to college, but not finding a decent job. But it seems to even get a decent job, you need a 4 year. I also hear a bunch of stories of millionaires, and stories of people that get 6 figure salaries straight out of college, and so much of it seems unattainable. I mean, should I be that worried if I choose a degree in Management over Marketing, or vice versa?

The most important thing to do while you're going to school is making contacts and getting experience however you can (internships, summer jobs, etc...). There are a few companies that do management trainee positions, although I think it's mostly for MBA, where you get rotated through various departments in the company. That has always seemed like one of the best deals to try your hand and find what you like. Of course these kinds of positions are not so easy to get.

Here is an example of such a position that Toyota offers:
Toyota.com : Toyota College Relations : Undergraduate Programs : Sales, Marketing and Service Management Trainee

[hnsq]

I wouldn't major in business at all...In my opinion it is a waste of money. Major in something that gives you a skill, then go back for an MBA at night after you have a job and some real world experience. No matter your field, you end up in the business world, but if you major in something like accounting, computer science or engineering, it gives you a practical skill to use. It is great to want to be a manager in business, but you need to actually know the field you are leading. I have a degree in computer information systems, and I just went to an information session for an MBA program and over half of the people the accept have science or engineering backgrounds. People with undergrad business degrees honestly just seem to have a tough time marketing themselves.

[tigerwoodsyall]

Originally Posted by hnsq

I wouldn't major in business at all...In my opinion it is a waste of money. Major in something that gives you a skill, then go back for an MBA at night after you have a job and some real world experience. No matter your field, you end up in the business world, but if you major in something like accounting, computer science or engineering, it gives you a practical skill to use. It is great to want to be a manager in business, but you need to actually know the field you are leading. I have a degree in computer information systems, and I just went to an information session for an MBA program and over half of the people the accept have science or engineering backgrounds. People with undergrad business degrees honestly just seem to have a tough time marketing themselves.

Accounting=business degree.

In fact correct me if I am wrong but in most colleges a computer information systems degree=a degree from the college of business.....

Anyways it just depends on what type of jobs he wants, once he figures that out then go from there. To say a business degree is worthless is not telling the truth though.. Some jobs require a certain degree, alot of the jobs I have been applying to and interviewing for (bank examiner, auditor,tax compliance officer, staff accountant, finance manager, etc..) require an accounting degree or finance degree. Others jobs I have interviewed for like manager trainee positions required just any general business degree.

Also from what I have heard an MBA for an accountant is really not that great because of the CPA they could get.

[rwally]

For what it's worth...I earned the first undergrad in Marketing in '79 and spent over 15 years working in outside sales/account management which paid well and provided ample opportunities for living a good lifestyle. I earned a second undergrad, Public Relations, in '97 and spent one year working in media relations only to realize how much I missed commerce. So, I opened a manufacturing rep agency for companies in China, Taiwan and Malaysia. When Sept 11 dryed-up all of the R&D money I started a home improve-ments company which nearly grew into a custom home building business if Katrina hadn't caused my targeted demographic to tie their purse strings in a knot. I then became licensed as a mortgage loan originator...only to catch the tail-end of the market. Now, I'm a licensed real estate broker learning the business of residential brokerage, commercial development/brokerage and international brokerage. In my opinion, there's a 50/50 chance that what you choose to do won't carry you where you want to go. If that's the case, you should be ready, willing and able to take another path. Learn all that you can from whatever it is that you choose to do, even if the lesson is how NOT to do something. But know this...the world has changed. We're in a "global economy" now. Perhaps it would be wise to consider work in fields that are deemed to be prime candidates for growing. Read the article in US News & World Report about the best careers for the future. Learning should be a life-long pursuit...enjoy yours. Best of luck. Best Careers - US News and World Report

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by tigerwoodsyall

Accounting=business degree.

In fact correct me if I am wrong but in most colleges a computer information systems degree=a degree from the college of business.....

Anyways it just depends on what type of jobs he wants, once he figures that out then go from there. To say a business degree is worthless is not telling the truth though.. Some jobs require a certain degree, alot of the jobs I have been applying to and interviewing for (bank examiner, auditor,tax compliance officer, staff accountant, finance manager, etc..) require an accounting degree or finance degree. Others jobs I have interviewed for like manager trainee positions required just any general business degree.

Also from what I have heard an MBA for an accountant is really not that great because of the CPA they could get.

Accounting is very different than Marketing or Management. Accounting gives you a practical skill when you graduate, Marketing/Management does not. Computer Informaiton Systems is nowhere near a business degree. It got me a job as a computer programmer (had to pass a test the company offered to get the job). It isn't the theory behind the science as a straight CS degree is, but focuses a little more on networking/data management than CS theory.

[tigerwoodsyall]

Originally Posted by hnsq

Accounting is very different than Marketing or Management. Accounting gives you a practical skill when you graduate, Marketing/Management does not. Computer Informaiton Systems is nowhere near a business degree. It got me a job as a computer programmer (had to pass a test the company offered to get the job). It isn't the theory behind the science as a straight CS degree is, but focuses a little more on networking/data management than CS theory.

Every college I have seend has their CIS program lumped in with their college of business. Just by being there means that they had to take all the required courses any business major had to take, I dont know if your college was different though. So yeah in most cases it is near a business degree , well sorta.

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by tigerwoodsyall

Every college I have seend has their CIS program lumped in with their college of business. Just by being there means that they had to take all the required courses any business major had to take, I dont know if your college was different though. So yeah in most cases it is near a business degree , well sorta.

That is interesting, mine must have been different. I will have to keep that in mind when talking to people about my degree!

[Rei]

I wouldn't major in business at all...In my opinion it is a waste of money. Major in something that gives you a skill, then go back for an MBA at night after you have a job and some real world experience. No matter your field, you end up in the business world, but if you major in something like accounting, computer science or engineering, it gives you a practical skill to use.

The thing is, as I've stated many times, not everyone has the interest or the intellect to do engineering or science...
Imagine if everyone becomes engineers, then who's gonna buy the service....?

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by Rei

The thing is, as I've stated many times, not everyone has the interest or the intellect to do engineering or science...
Imagine if everyone becomes engineers, then who's gonna buy the service....?

You are absolutely right, and I might have stated an extreme to make a point. I guess I was saying if you work for a shoe store, for example, I think the best career would be to start as the guy making the shoes, and after you master that, move to selling them. In my industry at least knowing the engineering helps those in business a lot.