? for those with business degrees

Stewo

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2008
16,856
14,811
113
Iowa
First of all, what kind of jobs outside of the business world are some of you working in? Basically, I'm still undecided as to what career I want, I just know that I want to finish my degree, but not in the criminal justice field where I've started. I'm also of the thinking that a business degree would be the best type of degree that would allow me to stay open as far as a career goes. Thoughts? Opinions?
 
It's definitely a great degree as far as the ability to stay open and have a lot of options. Sometimes it's tough to find a job if you aren't specialized into a particular area though (finance, accounting, etc.). I'm in the business field, so I can't help you with your first question.
 
It's definitely a great degree as far as the ability to stay open and have a lot of options. Sometimes it's tough to find a job if you aren't specialized into a particular area though (finance, accounting, etc.). I'm in the business field, so I can't help you with your first question.

That's interesting. Never really thought aout getting a specific business degree.
 
General college degrees aren't too helpful, IMO. Even "Biology" or "Chemistry" is unlikely to land you a job right out of college unless you're ready to either continue your education, or specialize/pair it with something else. Thus, a "Business" degree wouldn't necessarily give you the skills needed to land a decent job in the "Business World". Not a business major, myself, but did have friends who did a business degree, and all focused on something specific (I think all my friends did Accounting).

Not even sure you can get just a business degree without specifying what field, can you?
 
First of all, what kind of jobs outside of the business world are some of you working in? Basically, I'm still undecided as to what career I want, I just know that I want to finish my degree, but not in the criminal justice field where I've started. I'm also of the thinking that a business degree would be the best type of degree that would allow me to stay open as far as a career goes. Thoughts? Opinions?

Accounting. The backbone of any business.
 
General college degrees aren't too helpful, IMO. Even "Biology" or "Chemistry" is unlikely to land you a job right out of college unless you're ready to either continue your education, or specialize/pair it with something else. Thus, a "Business" degree wouldn't necessarily give you the skills needed to land a decent job in the "Business World". Not a business major, myself, but did have friends who did a business degree, and all focused on something specific (I think all my friends did Accounting).

Not even sure you can get just a business degree without specifying what field, can you?

I have a degree in marketing and I'm currently a Regional Sales Manager for a consumer packaged goods company.

That's good to know. I obviously don't want to spend tax payers money on a degree that I can't make money with.
 
Accounting. And if you get your CPA you can pretty much get any job in the Business world.
 
I have a business degree (MIS) from ISU and I am now a federal agent...............
 
I have a business degree (MIS) from ISU and I am now a federal agent...............

This is the other thing that I looked at. Most, if not all, federal agencies prefer a business degree amoung a few others. Like I said, I want options.
 
I'm a freshman at Iowa State and was thinking about asking this same question. I'm currently open option and undecided but definitely considering business. I like organizing things and managing things so I was considering business management with something specific (like accounting or financing) as a minor, but from the looks of it maybe I should do it the opposite way? With accounting or financing as a major and management as the minor, perhaps?
 
I started ISU as a computer engineer and ended up switching to business(logistics). I have worked in logistics (mainly transportation) since graduating but have leveraged my computer engineer background into analysis positions in transportation industry as well.
 
I have a business degree and I majored in Operations & Supply Chain Management. My degree and Logistics & SCM I believe are now rolled into one major.

Supply Chain degrees are still in pretty solid demand as far as I can tell. There is a wide variety of things you can do and depending on the job you get it doesn't have to be a typical desk job.

ISU is also pretty well regarded for this type of degree.
 
Fair enough, but what is the math like? Saying I hate math is a huuuuge understatement.


In which case, accounting is a horrible choice. You know yourself better than anyone. Asking someone else what you should major in just doesn't make any sense.

If you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up, just get a "general studies" degree or whatever they call it now. A degree doesn't get you a job. It gets you past the first cut. You'll get the job based on how well you interview...and whether your dad knows someone.
 
As others have said, accounting would be a great choice but isn't meant for everyone. You must be very detail oriented.

Also, logistics or supply chain type stuff will always have demand, and ISU has a respected program for that, IIRC.

I would recommend getting sales experience in some capacity. That is a skill that will always allow you to make a higher than average income. I have a sociology degree and went into medical sales for about 10 years after college before getting involved in a family business. Sales experience will help you in any field, and at the least will make you better at interviewing (selling yourself).

The sky is the limit in sales. I had colleagues making north of $500k/yr. Of course, just like any field, it's not for everyone and it's highly competitive.
 
Last edited:
Interesting.

I do have some options through the school I plan on going through as far as different types of business degrees...

UG - Bachelors | Liberty University Online

If you don't like any math at all...then I would caution you away from Finance. It is not rocket science type stuff, but there are some difficult concepts to grasp for sure. And if you hate math in general...you would REALLY hate the statistics portion of the degree.
 
Main thing is to get in the general area of employment that you want. EVERY job I have ever had was attributed to who I knew. If you don't like math at all but like to interact, sales /marketing would be a good fit. The highest earners are in sales, but so are the lowest. Depends on if your any good or not.

Btw, looks like you were in the military. If so, a big thanks for your service. Midwesterners like individuals who have served, good resume enhancer.
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron