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Is it better to specialize your business degree or remain general?

I was wondering if people studying business are better of with specializing in their program(going into accounting or marketing) or if remaining general when it comes to job searches. Does one pay more?
#business #business-management #business-degree #marketing #business-administration #specializing #commerce

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Harry’s Answer

All of the prior responses are very valid. Your primary question should be "What do I like/want to do"? A general degree may open a door for you, but with the filters used to zero in on candidates to be considered, you will most likely be skipped over in the process. What happens once you get your job is more important than any degree in my opinion. The more that you can show your employer, your worth, the further you will go. My education is in accounting. I have always been in a manufacturing environment. My curiosity for learning has led me into customer service, operations manager, shipping and receiving and even import and export Customs Manager. Your degree is only the start. Don't get hung up on it.
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Maxwell’s Answer

Hey Teleola,

As a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's [UIUC] business school with a major in Accountancy, I do believe that choosing a specialization is more advantageous in regards to obtaining a job than remaining general. In fact, I believe may alma mater asks you to specialize after your sophomore year.

The professions you listed: accounting, marketing, finance, etc. are all relatively competitive industries to break into. Selecting a specialized major would make your resume more enticing to firms within the industry of your major. Additionally, in my experience, the skills and knowledge you pick up in your specialized classes does translate to the professions of that specialized major.

In regards to pay of your listed professions, I would rank their starting salaries in the following order (1 = highest pay):
1) Finance
2) Accounting
3) Marketing
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Gautam’s Answer

Specialization will lead you to be more sort after, further specialization that can be transfered from one industry to another will keep you in demand for a long time specifically when it gets lonely at the top. But if no transferable skills specialization can limit options. Specialization always pays more.
Thank you comment icon specializing will give you a specific skill to market. Tammy Juve
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Mili’s Answer

Hey Teleola,

The best thing you can do for your career is to find a niche, and stick to it. Specialize as much as you possible can. A general degree will make you a jack of all trades - master of none. Specialize in the one you find most interesting, and it'll pay what you're worth & what you think you're work is worth. I found that my business degree with a specialization in Information Systems was a great investment that later led to a computer science masters!

Best of luck!
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Bbhaves’s Answer

I was in a similar boat when I was in undergraduate school. Business Admin is very generic field and can be applied in multiple sector. But if you select specialization like accounting, finance, marketing that does not mean you are going to be restricted to certain industries. Based on my experience, I would recommend to select a specialize field or fields(multiple majors, i.e. accountancy and finance) per your interest. These fields are very comparative and you need to have additional certifications along with specialization such as CPA, CFA etc. Once you decide the specialized field, try to get internship within the industry of your choice. My first internship was unpaid but it allowed me to gain experience, create network and acquire experience that I can add on my resume.
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Yousuf’s Answer

Teleola!

Business is a very vast field. Strangely our education system only emphasizes its 3 branches; Marketing, HR or Finance. When I graduated in BBA (hons), with my major in marketing, wasn't even aware of the ample opportunities out there. The roles in business include areas such as operations, sales, consulting, project management, public relations, training & development, etc etc. Yes you can definitely find your passion amongst the 3 branches, however, it doesn't mean you 'll only be able to stick with that area of the field. I am a sales executive at an IT corporation, who has also previously in the development sector as a consultant and is also a part-time trainer. Furthermore, my knowledge in finance has helped me to invest intelligently. You might be an expert at 1 thing but as a business expert, it's more fruitful to by dynamic in today's world than to be specific. Companies want fewer people who can do multiple tasks. It's just more profitable for them to invest in a dynamic individual than someone who they have to think twice before promoting in a more dynamic role.
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Reem’s Answer

As a prior business management student, I struggled with this issue before, especially not knowing what I was interested in. However, I found that doing Finance was the best option for me, because it would provide me with an opportunity to go into any field. If you limit yourself to marketing, you would not be able to switch to finance, or accounting. I felt that doing finance would allow me the choice of doing finance, accounting and as well easily switch to marketing since most of the concept in marketing come quick and logical as opposed to finance or accounting information.

This is advice applies especially if you are not sure what you like yet.
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Audrey’s Answer

Hi Teleola,

I think it is better to get some type of speciality but I don't believe that you major in will lead to only one job. What I would do would be to narrow down to 2/3 job types your search - you are mentionning both finance & marketing for example. Then go on LinkedIn & look for people's profiles with post-university jobs in those fields - look for people with nothing more than 2 years of experience.

Finally take a look at what their degree was & what they did study, it will give you an idea.

I think it can be a good way for you to actually see what people study & where they end up.

Good luck in your search !

Audrey

Audrey recommends the following next steps:

Go on LinkedIn, look for young experienced professionals in industries you like & see what they studied
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Kim’s Answer

Hi Teleola,

Maxwell has given you some excellent advice and guidance. My only additional thought to consider is to gain a strong understanding of general business management. Strong business management knowledge will enhance the skills you have developed in a specific area of expertise and will not only make your work more interesting, but will also give you the potential for increasing positions of responsibility.

Best of luck.

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John’s Answer

As a BS/BA-IT undergrad, I would recommend a focus area since it specifies your studies and adds a little kicker to boot. A straight up Business degree would delve a little further into the business realm. I am glad i went with a minor in IT since I am able to display my diversity in knowledge and be able to market myself to a wider audience. It shows I am not a one trick pony.
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