What degree is good for running a Business?

**InsomnicBrain** · 03-31-2008 10:42 PM

Hi,

I was wondering what kind of degree would work well with owning a business? I plan on going back to school online but I don't know what kind of degree would work well with owning a business or doing entrepreneur type investments.

Thanks,

Robert

**ExtremeSuccess** · 04-01-2008 02:32 AM

Hi Robert,

That's a good question. I've found that there's a significant split between those who think that an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) is useful as an entrepreneur and those who think that hands-on experience is the best way to get your business education.

Personally, I think it all comes down to how you learn and what types of skills and training you feel you need in order to have confidence in your plans. There are plenty of MBA programs that focus on entrepreneurship.

Take a look at Business Week's review of U.S. business school programs (it includes online programs as well): businessweek.com/bschools

Michael

**rogercbryan** · 04-01-2008 09:29 AM

I think you need a little of everything. I have degree's in Electrical Engineering, a BS in Business Adiminstration with a minor in Industrial Management...

I think my education gives me 20% of what I need and my experiance gives me the other 80%.

I have wanted for sometime to go back and get an MBA as I'm sure the skills I would learn there would help me to grow my company. I'm at the point where my company takes 110% of my time... so.... I don't know if this helps.

**2gould** · 04-01-2008 09:58 AM

It is hard to give you a specific degree b/c there are successful business owners with degrees ranging from finance to anthropology. However, I would suggest taking classes in finance and marketing.

**BusinessAdviser** · 04-01-2008 10:53 AM

The wider your knowledge base, the better. I'm not a big fan of an Entrepreneurship major for hopeful entrepreneurs bc you're not expanding your knowledge. Go for Finance or Economics or Marketing instead. I've found them to be very good areas.

**DPayne** · 04-01-2008 01:03 PM

accounting, finance, economics, marketing, etc. Most business stuff can be picked up with experience, but It will take a lot more time.

**pboychuk** · 04-01-2008 01:08 PM

I am probably going to choose MIS, probably need to do a little more research before I make the definite decision

**Gaulkin** · 04-01-2008 01:20 PM

Im taking finance.

**InsomnicBrain** · 04-01-2008 01:34 PM

Thank you all for your responses. Very helpful!

**DPayne** · 04-01-2008 01:43 PM

im in accounting/predentistry. Ill have the upperhand to most dental practices haha. They all pay out the nose for accounting work.

**rogercbryan** · 04-01-2008 03:11 PM

To all the MBA's on here... if you know me.. and have read some of my posts... point me in the right direction for an MBA program...

I've contemplated the EMBA program at Georgetown... or an MBA in Management from American University.... What would you recommend as a the best MBA direction...

Not trying to hijack the thread... just got interested all of a sudden.

**pboychuk** · 04-01-2008 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

To all the MBA's on here... if you know me.. and have read some of my posts... point me in the right direction for an MBA program...

I've contemplated the EMBA program at Georgetown... or an MBA in Management from American University.... What would you recommend as a the best MBA direction...

Not trying to hijack the thread... just got interested all of a sudden.

UGAMBA, ok so i dont know much about it, but thats probably where ill end up

**BusinessAdviser** · 04-01-2008 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

To all the MBA's on here... if you know me.. and have read some of my posts... point me in the right direction for an MBA program...

I've contemplated the EMBA program at Georgetown... or an MBA in Management from American University.... What would you recommend as a the best MBA direction...

Not trying to hijack the thread... just got interested all of a sudden.

The one with the highest ranking in U.S. News & World Report that you can get into.

**2gould** · 04-01-2008 07:14 PM

jmenq:

I took that approach for law school and was unpleasantly surprised. I have found through my personal experience and from talking with others that if you don't go to a top 5 school (Maybe a top 10) then going to a decent school in the region you want to work will more helpful in terms of getting a job. For example, I went to a well ranked top tier law school located in North Carolina; however, I came back to Boston to work. I had employers tell me to my face that despite the ranking of my school most Boston firms would prefer hire from the local schools (even the lower ranked ones) because the firms are mainly filled with local alumni. I imagine Business School operates in a similar fashion. Now, I ultimately got a job but it would have been easier if I had the local alumni network and clout to help me.

So, in answer to Roger's question, I would determine where you want to work, at least right after school, and then go to the best school in that region you can get into.

Just my two cents...

**capforge** · 04-01-2008 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by jmenq2

The wider your knowledge base, the better. I'm not a big fan of an Entrepreneurship major for hopeful entrepreneurs bc you're not expanding your knowledge. Go for Finance or Economics or Marketing instead. I've found them to be very good areas.

I don't understand the logic here. With an Entrepreneurship major you are covering finance, economics and marketing (as well as other stuff like business planning, market research, statistics, etc.) in a depth that will introduce you to the topic in a useful way but not drown you in details you won't likely need as small business owner wearing all the hats. So, a wide base of knowledge in useful disciplines that will apply to being an entrepreneur.

If you just take finance, for example, you have a deeper level of knowledge about one area of being an entrepreneur, but you miss out on a lot of other areas that you will definitely need.

I don't get how that is the better choice?