College Degree Limitations?

[prism]

My current major is Marketing, and I'm at the point where all the classes I have left are major-specific. I'm just looking for some input on if I will be limited in the business world from other opportunities in management and/or business administration if I stay with my marketing degree. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Pugnax]

Any limitations you put up in terms of a career are ones that you put up yourself, at least IMHO. Regardless of your degree, I'd say you can really do just about anything. Just need the resolve and drive to succeed. Granted if you want to become a surgeon or vet you'll need to go back to school.

If you want to get into management with a marketing degree, you could always go get your MBA.

 

[mrkun]

You can't get degree in Bus. Admin. with an emphasis in Marketing?

 

[Davegod]

Of course you will be limited, business is a broad area. If your major was in say civil engineering you wouldn't ask if you might not be able to get into another branch e.g. mechanical engineering. If you want to do something very specific and technical then you need the "right" degree, otherwise it's not a problem however.

IMO marketing and finance/accountancy are very good backgrounds, both in breadth (they are vital in all businesses) and scope - the further up the ladder you go the more you'll find people come from either marketing or accounting/finance backgrounds. This is very particular right at the top, for example in a civil engineering firm just about everybody in the board room will be either a marketer, accountant or civil engineer.

If you don't particularly want to go into a 'marketing' job per se, perhaps a slightly broader degree would make it a little easier initially. Once you have relevant work experience however the actual nature of your degree matters less and less. If you're shooting high you'll be looking at getting an MBA eventually anyhow.

In short, just get a good degree and good work experience. A summer job is a big help, once you're done you'll hear a lot of job application replies saying either "lacking experience" or "overqualified".

 

[judasmachine]

Sometimes they just want you to have the piece of paper saying you stuck out at least four years. That being said, if it's an uber specific job, then they will want you to have the background, and degree that supports that.

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: Davegod
If you're shooting high you'll be looking at getting an MBA eventually anyhow.

The MBA is going the way of the Dodo Bird along with its relevance. It's primarily a degree for career switchers.

 

[nanette1985]

The main value of any degree is that it shows that you followed regulations and completed the task. A lot of people can't accomplish this, so it's a good thing.

The other main value of any college course of study is the contacts you're making. Are you taking advantage of the opportunities to get to know others with your interests? This is how you often end up getting your job.