High school senior split between film school or business school: need advice?
Hey everyone,
I’m really at a crossroads in my life and need some guidance from people who may have experience or insights into my situation. I’m deciding between two universities for my college education, and it’s a huge decision for me. Here’s a little about myself and my career aspirations, followed by the two schools I’m considering and why it’s such a tough choice.
I have a strong passion for the entertainment industry and the intersection of business and media. I’ve been heavily involved in all aspects of film production, photography, videography, etc. several years. This past year I've also been building my own brand and website for photography, where I’ve also worked on various videography projects. My goal is to pursue a career that combines business management with creative media, particularly in the entertainment field. I want to lead creative projects, manage teams, and possibly even develop my own production business or do something in entrepreneurship.
The two schools I’m considering are CU Boulder and Biola University, and they each offer a slightly different approach to achieving my goals.
CU Boulder
Major: Business (management or marketing)
Minor: Media production (school of media and communications)
Pros: CU Boulder offers a prestigious business program through the Leeds School of Business, which is highly ranked and provides solid fundamentals in management, marketing, and finance. The flexibility of pairing a business major with a media-related minor is appealing because it would allow me to maintain a strong business foundation while exploring creative media. CU Boulder is also a large, research-intensive university with a broad alumni network and plenty of opportunities to network with professionals in a variety of fields. CU is also well-known for its vibrant campus culture and I'd feel like I'd really be getting more of the "college experience" there
Cons: The business and creative tracks seem to be somewhat separate, which could make it harder to integrate the two areas. I’d need to take more initiative to blend the creative and business sides of my education, which could be difficult given the large size of the school and the general focus on traditional business education. The Boulder area also isn't amazing for the industry I want to go into, and I feel it'd be harder for me to make connections and pursue relevant internships.
Biola University
Major: Media (Entertainment Business Concentration)
Minor: Business Administration
Pros: Biola offers a much more specialized and integrated approach, with a specific concentration on entertainment business. Their curriculum blends both creative and business aspects, covering everything from film production and screenwriting to entertainment financing and media law. This direct focus on the entertainment industry is exactly what I’m looking for, and Biola is also currently constructing a brand new state of the art facility for their media school. The small class sizes at Biola also mean I’d get more personalized attention from faculty and have closer connections with industry professionals. Plus, the industry proximity in LA is huge for building a career.
Cons: Biola’s network is smaller than CU Boulder’s, and while it’s more industry-specific, it might be more limiting if I want to explore broader career options in the future. It’s also a much smaller university (my Dad calls it a no name school), which might not have the same range of extracurriculars or resources in other fields like business. I also don't love Biola's requirement of having to take a lot of required Bible classes, and the campus culture seems to be welcoming but also very restrictive and ultra-Christian. I don't want to feel like I'm missing out on the larger four year university experience.
Biggest Questions I’m Facing:
Do I want a broader, flexible business education, or do I want a more niche, entertainment-specific education?
How much do the alumni networks and industry connections of each school matter for my future career?
How important is it for me to have a more personalized, smaller school experience versus a larger, research-driven university?
Given that I already have a lot of experience in media production, should I prioritize a school that gives me more space to develop business skills or one that focuses more on the entertainment industry specifically?
I would really appreciate any feedback, whether it's based on your own experience or general thoughts on the pros and cons of each school. Any help in making this important decision would mean a lot, I'm still very split and have to decide soon.
Thanks so much!
3 answers
Brett’s Answer
Let me first say that based on your obvious ambition and clear focus on what you want to do with your life, you're going to be great no matter which choice you make here. You are definitely in the minority when it comes to having a clear goal for your career and that will promise to serve you well.
I graduated with a business degree many years ago. During the 2nd semester of my senior year I decided to take a film class which changed the trajectory of my life. I had a job offer at a financial company waiting for me and, instead, I chose to pursue a career in film. 30 years later I've had a relatively successful career as a Commercial and Documentary Editor and Filmmaker. For me, the business degree was based solely on not knowing what I wanted to do with my life and I do regret spending so much time in business classes that ultimately felt like a lot of memorization work rather than critical thinking. But, I have many friends who graduated from that program and went on to successful business careers as a result. I clearly was in the wrong major and thus did not get the benefits of studying something that I ultimately had little interest in.
As I said, either choice that you've listed is a good one. With your focus and work ethic you will find a path to your goal. In this case, I would say take a look at the quality of life that you'll be having for the next 4 years and make your decision based on that. You know you're going to put in the work, so which school will offer more of a lifestyle that will fulfill your day to day happiness and well-being.
Good luck young man.
Jim’s Answer
Jim Kernodle M.Ed/Counselor
Marty’s Answer
I've worked in entertainment for over 30 years. What was a great place to have a career has diminished to a point where many veterans are unable to support themselves. The business has shifted from hiring professionals to produce content to a DIY approach to content production, leaving hundreds of folks to search for new careers. Los Angeles is no longer the hub for production that it was in the 80's, 90's and aughts.
That said, my advise to you would be to focus on business education - your network of contacts will be useful and the gravitas of a business degree will help wherever you go. The glory days of cinematography are likely over.