Question

Topic: Student Questions

Major Advice For A New Undergraduate?

Posted by Anonymous on 4/22/2012 at 3:11 PM ET 250 Points
Hi everybody, I'm an upcoming undergraduate at UC Santa Barbara and am having a difficult time choosing what I want to major in. Because the University of California system is more based on very broad theoretical research than specific hands-on learning, there is no business/marketing major for undergraduate students. My long term goal is to strengthen a future career in a marketing field, and possibly pursue an MBA, but as for now, am confused as what major to follow as an undergrad student. I am currently see-sawing between Communications and Economics. I feel an Economics degree would be more appealing and secure as a post-grad, but Communications would be more engaging for me and my interests. Yes, I do plan on interning and finding field-related work in the near future.

For current, future, and past marketing professionals - what is your view on my situation and what advice do you have to offer?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Andy Fracica, MBA on 4/22/2012 at 3:41 PM Accepted
    Chris,

    The best advice I can give you is follow your heart. Major in the things that excite you most, you will do much better in your career if you are studying the things that excite you the most. You can always add classes in economics if that interests you as well. As far as MBA's you can pretty much get into any MBA program if you grades or test scores are good enough.

    I hope that helps,

    Andy
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 4/23/2012 at 8:59 AM Accepted
    Dear Chris,

    You have all the time in the world. Really. My best advice echoes Andy's: follow your gut.

    For the time being, every option is open to you.

    Here's the thing about choices: if, right now, you choose go to Amazon.com and choose to search for the top five books on economics, communication, direct response marketing, branding, and mainstream marketing, and if you were to choose the books that appeal to you the most and you chose to read them, re-read them, and take notes on all the major points, your choices will have positioned you to make even more choices: INFORMED choices.

    No other student on your course will choose to do this because it means they'll have to WORK (the horror).

    I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

    Gary Bloomer
    Princeton, NJ
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