<p>Some background info: In my late twenties. I have several years of work experience, but it seems I’ve gone as far as I could without a degree - I just don’t want to be trapped in middle management forever, which is where I am at.</p>
<p>I basically have to decide on a major, and I’m debating between these three. I really need some advice and opinions from other students/graduates. I’d like to get a decent starting salary out of school, having work experience already - I don’t want to start from the bottom up if possible. Also, I will be in my early 30s when I graduate (I’m female) - could this be a problem as a business graduate (going to interviews against 22 year olds…), or can it be an advantage?</p>
<p>Oh, and eventually I’d like to get an MBA as well, but I’m really hoping for decent job opportunities out of undergrad. I’ll be working full time during undergrad and potentially during my MBA.</p>
<p>Finance: I really like finance, and enjoy following world news, the stock market… I’m also attracted to the money-making aspect - if you play your cards right it can be very lucrative. I can see myself working as a financial planner, in corporate finance or I-banking. But I heard that the first years can be very rough, I am afraid I’ll have to start as an analyst making no money and fetching coffee for the entire office. To which extend is this true? (I’m not being a snot, I just don’t want to take a step back, especially with me graduating so late)</p>
<p>Computer Information Systems: Another field I am VERY interested in. I keep reading that the growth in this sector will be great and that there will be a lot of opportunities with a good starting salary. In addition, my college is in the top 15 in the country for CIS. But other people have been trying to discourage me, saying that anything having to do with computers is over-saturated and that being a female would be a hindrance. Also - I don’t want to end up as helpdesk. I’ve done that for two years on the phone. Never again.</p>
<p>Accounting: That would be my third choice. I am not really interested in being an accountant, but I heard that the degree can open some doors in the business world. </p>
<p>I’m 27, going back to school to get a business undergrad degree. I’ve been informed being a non-trad with prior work experience can play to your advantage in interviews but as to how much I can’t answer.</p>
<p>Financial analysts make a decent salary and I haven’t heard of people fetching coffee. That sounds more like something you’d do as an intern or an assistant/secretary to someone :P</p>
<p>As far as a CS degree, you’d be entirely too overqualified for a helpdesk position. As someone who’s worked several low and high level help desk jobs, anyone with a CS degree is usually higher up working as an engineer on the back end which does involve direct customer contact. Also being a girl would be a benefit for diversity purposes because traditionally CS work is dominated by males.</p>
<p>What is your experience in? What kind of company did you wake it to middle management in and what salary range are you in now? Do you supervise people? What level of college will you be attending? All of this info would be helpful to really advise you.</p>
<p>Kulakai: thanks for the feedback! I really can’t make my mind up between finance/CIS, I like them both.</p>
<p>hmom5: I’m a customer service manager for an e-commerce, I manage a small team and I make around 50k. I plan to get my bachelors first (will graduate in my early 30s), then get my MBA a few years down the line because ideally I’d like to find a company that will pay for it.</p>
<p>If you have a passion for business, moreso than computers (IT), Finance is the right answer. It will open up more doors in the “business” realm which offer higher upside. On the flipside, your starting salary will likely be higher in CIS/MIS. If you decide you have a greater passion for IT, then choose CIS.</p>
<p>I think ibanking will be incredibly hard to break into as a 30 year old without a background that lends itself to it. Hate to say that as a woman in banking…it would be hard for a man but nearly impossible for an older woman.</p>
<p>I would try to play on the e commerce background. Lots of positions that could be interesting–acquisitions in house and development to name a couple. I’m assuming since you’re working full time while completing undergrad that you won’t be attending a top college. If that is the case and you have the grades and scores, consider applying to top MBA programs full time, it’s probably worth the investment and will shorten the climb.</p>
<p>hmom5: thanks! I wasn’t sure about i-banking anyway, because I assume this would require possibly relocating to NYC and I probably wouldn’t. However, what about corporate finance, or portfolio management, would these doors be closed to me in your opinion? The school I am attending is 1st tier and some of their business programs are highly ranked - but it’s not an Ivy or anything.</p>
<p>I really love CIS as well but I’m hearing so much conflicting info on it. Some say it’s a great degree and there will be lots of demand for it in the future, others say it’s worthless compared to a Computer Science degree. I’m just feeling pretty lost.</p>
<p>No, I don’t think those doors will be closed. And it really depends on where you live and what level you want to do any of these things on as to what the oppostunities will be. Most people in good MBA programs are willing to go where the jobs are.</p>