Zoe
If I pursue a business degree, but also want a communications degree to immerse me into a desired career environment, which communications degree should I pursue?
I am a college freshman. I don't have a definitive answer for what I want to do for the rest of my life. A business degree has a lot of versatility and flexibility. I also want to major (or minor) in communications to compliment my business degree. By obtaining both degrees, I hope to be more marketable and well equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the field of business. However, if I have an interest in working in an environment having to do with entertainment/ tourism, should I then get a communications degree specialized in those areas. I also have an interest in potentially working with businesses as opposed to solely entertainment as well, though. Should I simply go for the general communications degree to avoid pigeonholing myself? Should I instead go for public relations or an advertising degree? I am planning on transferring to Cal State Fullerton. #college #business #college-major #university #communications #degree #entertainment #freshman #tourism
3 answers
Chris Quagliata
Chris’s Answer
Zoe,
Your current situation is not too dissimilar from mine when I was deciding in on your major and/or minor. I was unsure whether I wanted to head down the business track or target communications, with an eye towards sports media. You have the right thought process in that doing a major/minor combo will give you maximum optionality. Business is the right choice of major, in my opinion.
From my experience, your communications concentration/minor isn't going to make or break where you end up in that field. It is easy to pivot from a business degree or general communications concentration to any area within communications. Much harder to do it the other way around and go from a communications major to business. Regardless of what your communications minor concentrates in, coupling that with a business major will make you quite marketable.
My one suggestion would be to major in something like finance or accounting rather than marketing or general business administration. Again, it's much easier to take a concentrated business major and enter a lot of different fields than, say, major in something like marketing and then try and get into finance or accounting if that's what you end up wanting to do.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck in your decision. You're on the right track.
Best,
Chris Quagliata
Hello Chris! Thanks so much for the in depth response! I thought about your response and it makes a lot of sense. Majoring in a part of business that is concentrated and then getting the minor in communications would not only still make me more marketable, but also give me more flexibility in terms of my ultimate career choice. As someone who is experienced in the field of business, could you perhaps inform me of specific business careers that involve more creativity but also are stabler (greater job security)? That's the kind of career field I'm trying to explore and research, but with little luck. Thanks again😃
Zoe
Wael Al-Rihawi
Wael’s Answer
Regarding your education, you could dual major, minor in communication, or take an MBA after a BS in communication. Regarding the environment, what comes to mind reading your description is big hotels that offer entertainment shows.
I wish to help you more, but my knowledge is limited in this field.
Thank you for the advice!
Zoe
Christy Loerzel
Christy’s Answer
It's interesting because as a professional who has been in Marketing for the past 12 years or so, I was thinking about this the other day for a 'Career Day' presentation I was doing for my daughter's school (her name is Zoe too). :)
I would look into pursuing a minor or duel major in public relations. It gives you the skills and foundation that are you can transfer to many other areas of business. I personally majored in Television Production, and while that gave me many useful skills that I still employ today, I think I would have been better served with a public relations degree/minor. Good luck and feel free to let me know if I can answer any additional questions.