Business Degree

[slow99]

I agree with the previous posts. Don't go the Management route...it is possible to get a Business degree with some sort of specialization. Management basically qualifies you for jobs that say "degree required". It sounds like you're staying local, so SMU is your best bet for Dallas. You can't just waltz in and say you want to go there though, have a compelling application waiting. SMU was competitive... not nearly as competitive as other places I applied, but very competitive nonetheless. I've said numerous times, if I had it do over again I would have majored in Accounting for undergrad. It's a very applicable/relevant skill-set that makes you marketable. If you really like numbers and the thought process behind it, Finance would be a great route too. You'll get to learn Corporate Finance and learn skills applicable to Asset Management as well. If Asset Management (different than Investment Management) is your chosen field, you'll have to do way more than undergrad anyways. Of course, I can talk to you about any of this if you want.

[347Mike]

I agree with the previous posts. Don't go the Management route...it is possible to get a Business degree with some sort of specialization. Management basically qualifies you for jobs that say "degree required". It sounds like you're staying local, so SMU is your best bet for Dallas. You can't just waltz in and say you want to go there though, have a compelling application waiting. SMU was competitive... not nearly as competitive as other places I applied, but very competitive nonetheless. I've said numerous times, if I had it do over again I would have majored in Accounting for undergrad. It's a very applicable/relevant skill-set that makes you marketable. If you really like numbers and the thought process behind it, Finance would be a great route too. You'll get to learn Corporate Finance and learn skills applicable to Asset Management as well. If Asset Management (different than Investment Management) is your chosen field, you'll have to do way more than undergrad anyways. Of course, I can talk to you about any of this if you want.

You worded it well. I am glad I found this out because I would hate to get the point of receiving a degree only to find out it isn't worth as much or could have been more with a slight change in planning.

I also understand I can't just waltz into any college I want, apply and get in. I am keeping my fingers crossed when the time comes I can get into a college I actually like/prefer.

This is all way down the road though but still trying to set a long term goal. I am just trying to get the wheels spinning as I have been procrastinating long enough.

[slow99]

You worded it well. I am glad I found this out because I would hate to get the point of receiving a degree only to find out it isn't worth as much or could have been more with a slight change in planning.

This is all way down the road though but still trying to set a long term goal. I am just trying to get the wheels spinning as I have been procrastinating long enough.

Ask about career services too... job placement rates, etc. You will have to be a motivated mofo in this environment regardless, but a good career services department will go a long way.

I didn't figure out what I really wanted to do until age 27. The road to get there was way more than I had accomplished with an undergrad degree... so research the credentials for what you eventually want to do as well. Hell, there was only one other person in my MBA class of 260 with an undergrad degree from a public school in Texas (other than UT).

[Silverback]

Since I don't plan on changing my career path, I'm finishing by BAAS from the school of business at Texas A&M Commerce, and immediately enrolling in the MS Technology Management program.

I went the management route simply because its already what I do within Dell and puts me in the next category of advancement into upper management in the IT field I already have 15+ years experience in.

Also A&M Commerces program is all online, and that works best for me considering the hours I work, and the oncall availability I have to keep having team members in India.

[SVT Lurch]

So mangement is a no go? That is good to know.

I would say no simply because all the management classes I took seemed like common sense to me and didn't teach much, if anything. I never studied and got high Bs or As in every Management class.

It is cyclical though, ten years ago accounting would get you little. I got offered an audit job at a big 5 firm out of school and it paid $28K. Now it is over double that.

This was about 3.5 years ago. Not to nitpick, but was it the "Big 5" when you graduated? It's Big 4 now, I'm wondering who the other company was.

I just signed an offer for right at about double that. SOX has pretty much made accounting a full-employment field.

My roommate's little brother will graduate from Tech with his Masters in Accounting and will be making just under $60,000 at KPMG.

[slow99]

Not to nitpick, but was it the "Big 5" when you graduated? It's Big 4 now, I'm wondering who the other company was.

Lmao, really??

[SVT Lurch]

Lmao, really??

Which is it? My OCD is killing me over here.

[slow99]

Which is it? My OCD is killing me over here.

Perhaps you've heard of a couple little companies called Enron and Arthur Andersen.

[SVT Lurch]

Perhaps you've heard of a couple little companies called Enron and Arthur Andersen.

There it is. I've never been much on history (as far as remembering when things happened relating to other events).

[Bad Religion]

I got a bachelors in Accounting from UTArlington. I had a not so hot GPA, no experience and got a job weeks after graduating. If you go business try either accounting or finance because you are actually learning a skill. In my experience accounting is the most time consuming. I would stay away from management because all I ever learned in those classes was common sense more or less broken down into pyramids with fancy words.

[DON SVO]

I got a bachelors in Accounting from UTArlington. I had a not so hot GPA, no experience and got a job weeks after graduating. If you go business try either accounting or finance because you are actually learning a skill. In my experience accounting is the most time consuming. I would stay away from management because all I ever learned in those classes was common sense more or less broken down into pyramids with fancy words.

UTA has a terrific accounting department, cheap (relatively speaking) and local.

[Bad Religion]

UTA has a terrific accounting department, cheap (relatively speaking) and local.

yeah, it's pretty expensive but compared to other schools it's probably the cheapest. From what I hear UTA is awesome for accounting, nursing, and engineering. Glad I picked a good one, lol

[DON SVO]

yeah, it's pretty expensive but compared to other schools it's probably the cheapest. From what I hear UTA is awesome for accounting, nursing, and engineering. Glad I picked a good one, lol

Both of my parents are UTA BA alumni, accounting. Both CPAs.

[Broncojohnny]

This was about 3.5 years ago. Not to nitpick, but was it the "Big 5" when you graduated? It's Big 4 now, I'm wondering who the other company was.

My roommate's little brother will graduate from Tech with his Masters in Accounting and will be making just under $60,000 at KPMG.

Haha, allow me to date myself and say it was big six. This was before Enron. And the company was the same as your friend's brother, KPMG, or as everyone called it "Uncle Pete". This was 1998 but even with inflation that was a horrible salary at the time. My first job as an accountant at a property company ended up paying close to $40K.

[03mustangdude]

so after getting a degree in a accounting do you take a test to become a cpa or is it like a 12 week additional course?