Academic advice?

Ilovepeppers
Ilovepeppers Posts: 396 Member
edited October 2024 in Chit-Chat
I'll try to keep this short. I'm at a point in school where changing my major would be unwise as I've taken classes toward competing this major. Now, I did not know what I wanted to do in life, but now I have a little more direction and I'm thinking I'd like to work in marketing. So, my question is this: My major right now is psychology but I am in a position where I can add another major (so long as it's not too far off from psychology. So, like, Chinese studies wouldn't work) and I think that would be a good thing to do in helping me get a job in marketing.

Unfortunately, my school does not offer business/marketing classes or degrees. So, I'm wondering, what would be a good second major to help me toward getting a marketing job? I was thinking cultural anthropology, but I'm reallynot sure.

Thanks for any input.

Replies

  • ket_the_jet
    ket_the_jet Posts: 1,257 Member
    Most people take jobs completely unrelated to his or her degree. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Take the psychology degree and go back for an MBA.
    -wtk
  • sharoniballoni
    sharoniballoni Posts: 163 Member
    Psychology is a perfectly sound undergrad degree for a Marketing career. I work in advertising and could have majored in anything I wanted. All they care about is that you have a 4-year degree of some kind. Now, if you want to be a brand manager or something, you'll need an MBA anyway. Again, as long as you have that 4-year degree, then it just comes down to studying for the GMAT and doing another couple of years in school. Good luck. You'll be fine. What better thing to study for Marketing than human behavior? ;)
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    For business, what you get your degree in matters less than your work experience. Go out and find a part time job at a marketing firm or other business in which you work with advertising/marketing. Get some experience under your belt and be proactive about acquiring real-world working skills. That will be very appealing to someone looking to hire you later.
  • chubby_checkers
    chubby_checkers Posts: 2,352 Member
    Most people take jobs completely unrelated to his or her degree. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Take the psychology degree and go back for an MBA.
    -wtk

    this. you can get a concentration in marketing. i just completed my mba in june with no previous business education/training. i just had to take a few supplemental classes (like accounting and finance).
  • RissaDean
    RissaDean Posts: 189 Member
    I graduated w/ a BS is Marketing in 2007....I have never had a marketing job. What exactly do you want to do in marketing? If you want to design product packaging, etc I would suggest that you go more for a design degree.
  • MissMollieK
    MissMollieK Posts: 316 Member
    do you like education- child psych is a great area or educational psych. Can you take accounting or stats- that would add to the business aspect. Just a couple thoughts.
  • adjones5
    adjones5 Posts: 938 Member
    You can major in as many things as you like as long as you have the funding for it.
  • Krizzle4Rizzle
    Krizzle4Rizzle Posts: 2,704 Member
    Most people take jobs completely unrelated to his or her degree. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Take the psychology degree and go back for an MBA.
    -wtk

    Good advice. You look very very familiar...
  • mikeyml
    mikeyml Posts: 568 Member
    If a marketing or a business degree is really important to you, then I would consider transferring to another school. A MBA is great, but it requires a large financial commitment, so keep that in mind. If you go to a school with a business program, they should be able to help you find an internship opportunity to get your feet wet. Or like others have said, try to get your foot in the door with an unrelated degree. It happens a lot, more so when the economy isn't holding off on new hires.
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    I think Communications would be a great tie-in with Psych and marketing.
  • chuluotababe
    chuluotababe Posts: 82
    A psychology degree is great for marketing because you understand people and what appeals to them. I would recommend adding a minor from the business or communications colleges. Also, if you have the time check out these two books - very interesting stuff!

    http://www.amazon.com/Buyology-Truth-Lies-About-Why/dp/0385523890/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318355937&sr=1-1

    http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Buy-Shopping--Updated-Internet/dp/1416595244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318355963&sr=1-1
  • agwilker
    agwilker Posts: 104 Member
    I majored in Psychology and I tailored everything (additional classes and other degree programs) to the field I wanted to be in. And it really, honestly, has not helped me find work in my field. I'm also only mildly more attractive to recruiters in my field with the extra degree.

    If you are thinking about adding another program. For marketing, I would suggest Communications or something comparable. My college offered a BA in Communication Studies.

    But if you're really going to be looking for a job, experience with far outweigh anything else. If you can do an internship or work PT somewhere relevant that could give you more experience. I think that would serve you a lot better in addition to whatever your degree plan is..
  • k9hrd
    k9hrd Posts: 351 Member
    Anthropology would be a great addition also. Most undergrad degrees in Anthropology are still based in the 4 divisions, so you would also be taking classes in archeology, physical anthropology and linguistics as well. Send me a message if you want to hear more.
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