Well, I believe that college is a must for me even if many Businessman, Entrepreneur, CEO, Leader were able to be very successful without an education. I have a very strong drive and want to make it to the top but I was wondering what type of undergraduate degree would be best for me? I had a few ideas of what to study (Economics, Business Administration, Communications or similar degrees) but need help deciding, if anyone knows of another degree that would suit my goals better or which one I listed fits my goals. I also plan to go onto Graduate after experience (likely an MBA). I’m 18 and starting my 2nd year in college after this summer. Also, I was wondering if I should get a Masters in something (like economics, finance, etc., right after my undergraduate, but before my first job and MBA).
What should I study to get a high paying job relating to business and management that will also enable me to make informed investment decisions with my money (e.g. stocks, hedge funds, real estate, etc.,)?
So my questions in case the above is a little unclear:
1)What should I major in for Undergraduate? (I want to get a degree that enables me to get a high paying job while also knowing how to invest whatever I make into the economy like stocks, bonds, hedge funds, real estate)
2)Then should I go on for a Masters before first job (like economics, finance, and masters that doesn’t require experience *so exclude MBA for now*)
3)Any other advice for an aspiring millionaire.
4 Responses to What college degree is for a “Businessman, Entrepreneur, CEO, Leader” type person?
Well, I interview the type of executives and such that you are aspiring to every day. And the first question I ask them is about their education. There is no set answer to your post, because I have interviewed CEO’s that make several million a year, and they never got a bachelors. Some have MBA’s which is a masters in business administration, some even have Ph.D.’s in there somewhere, but you can not guarantee wealth based on the type of degree you get.
I would recommend going for two bach. at the same time, finance and biz mngt. These are two very important areas for any manager to understand. Also, if you talk to the councilor at the college you are looking to attend, they can help you fit your classes together so that things flow a little easier.
Make sure you take some psychology courses along the way. Just the basic stuff.
Get a job while you are working on your masters.
While a student, try to work in as many fields as possible. Find one that you love and learn everything possible about it. For instance, try selling electronics, books, furniture, clothing, etc, then try printing/publishing, construction, whatever you can get your hands on. If any of them grab you and keep you interested, then learn everything about the field that you can. You will never become a millionaire if you do enjoy working long hard hours. The best way to do that is enjoy your field.
Best of luck to you!
I am in the same boat as you as far as aspirations, but so are a lot of people I guess.
If you are looking to climb the corporate career path, a Business Management degree or Finance degree is good. Some business schools have specific tracks like entreprenuership, strategic management, etc. Finance is good because mergers and acquisition people have that type of education. To play devil’s advocate, you don’t have to have a degree in business or finance to become a CEO. I have worked with many successful people in the finance arena and they have degrees in English, Math, etc.
I would say to get the experience first before you go for a higher degree. After all, you are really prolonging the start of your career. A lot of grad programs REQUIRE professional experience so you can relate to case studies in the class and have a good understanding of how it can relate to your current job. Master’s in Finance are more specialized than MBA’s, but either are great degrees, and there is no reason to get both.
If I were you, I would research companies in the Fortune 500 list and see what their chiefs have done. A lot of successful CEO’s, COO’s, CIO’s, etc. also have JD (law) degrees in combination with business degrees. Helps a lot with legal issues that could arise in the course of business.
You are going down the same path that I went. Just take my advice for what it’s worth. Just as important as your education is: experience, hard work, dedication, determination, willingness to take risks and fail, and TIME. Education is not the sole determinant. GOOD LUCK!
Marketing is probably the best- economics is also important to learn but don’t major in it unless you’re more of a power-behind-the-throne sort (which, judging by your post, you aren’t.) The most common degree for what you’re talking about is business administration (and it’s pretty good) but marketing would be a better match.
Honestly, if I was interviewing candidates for that sort of thing, my favorite choice would be a degree in Rhetoric but there’s too little on the practical side. Start learning some stuff in business classes and you’ll see what we mean =)
Finally and perhaps MOST IMPORTANTLY work experience is going to far outpace education in that sort of field. Team up with some high-powered entrepreneurs, especially if you can find a Chinese-born businessman in his mid-forties to mid-fifties. Those guys are only here now because they were the smartest and hardest-working 0.1% while education in China was being regulated by the Communist government. They’ll work really hard and really really smart to build good business systems and meet dynamic challenges, and often love to teach eager youngsters as much as they can. I know it was a cornerstone of *my* education, and I learned tons of amazing stuff from the “other side” of my field which would take me years and years to learn otherwise.
Good luck, and may you leave rivals and pretenders in the dust!