Engineering vs. Business Degrees

Deciding what to major in during college can be a challenge for students for a variety of reasons. First, there are so many options to choose from and narrowing it down can be difficult. Also, it can be an unsettling concept to decide what you want to do with your future life when you are in the first year or two of college.

Many students may be stuck trying to decide between two similar majors, such as business vs. engineering. Students may ask themselves, "Should I study business vs. engineering?" They may not be certain how to answer. It is important to know that while the two majors may have some similarities, there are significant differences that should be understood before making a choice.

Not to put unnecessary pressure on you, however, it is important to make a decision about which major to choose early in your college career. The sooner you declare a major, the better it will be for your time and tuition money. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to face setbacks in the curriculum causing you to have to take extra semesters worth of courses.

Business vs. Engineering

During college, you will spend the vast majority of your time in classes studying the major material. Therefore, it is critically important to choose a major that you are passionate about. If you don’t have a passion, then at the very least choose the one that interests you. It is never advisable to choose a major based on potential salary, prestige or a way to avoid certain classes.

For example, if you choose engineering because you think it is more prestigious, and yet you are not strong in math, your grade point average (GPA) will likely suffer. You might also find yourself disliking school.

Why Choose Business?

The greatest advantage to earning a business degree is flexibility. A degree in business can have applications in numerous fields or work including finance, marketing and health. As markets continue to expand beyond the United Sates, business degrees can be applied in the global market as well.

Additionally, with a business degree, there is the option to earn a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA). You will have the ability to further your specialty area by focusing your MBA study in one of the following areas:

Healthcare
Finance
Information Technology
Marketing
International Management
Human Resources Management

Why Choose Engineering?

If you think a business degree offers lots of options, just look at engineering! A degree in engineering offers a wide array of areas for specialization:

Aerospace
Bio-engineering
Chemical
Civil
Computing
Electrical
Mechanical
Industrial

A degree in engineering offers wide creativity with the added bonus of benefiting society. While the curriculum is challenging, the degree supports creative thinking and opportunities for intellectual development.

Business and Engineering Jobs

For students earning a business degree, the question often arises about available job opportunities after graduation. Options for business jobs include banking, communications, information technology and auditing.

Those seeking a degree in engineering can expect to find job opportunities tailored to their specific area of study. For example, a student majoring in chemical engineering can expect to find job opportunities within that specific area.

Crossover Options

While it is expected for students to find jobs within their area of study, it’s possible to find jobs outside of it. For example, it is possible to find finance jobs with an engineering degree or business engineering jobs. In the early nineties, financial engineering was established and certified as a field of study. This opportunity gives those who are tech-savvy the opportunity to apply their skills in areas such as programming or mathematical formulation.

For either degree, the options are limitless in terms of specialization and area of study. Remember to apply your efforts in the areas that interest you the most and also align with your natural talents and strengths.