Comm vs Business degree? Why?

[Steffanie]

I am torn. I just finished my associates and am transferring to a university. I was already accepted to Troy University for a business bachelors, and am waiting to hear from a few other schools. I feel my heart isn't in it though, and honestly, the debate on taking sides for a business degree being the best and worst degree to get has long since exhausted me.

People like my dad tell me it's the best degree to get, gives you the most options, best chance for success, etc, etc. But then I look at the facts of how it's the most popular degree in the US, and people with it are absolutely STRUGGLING to find a halfway decent job. On top of that, MBA programs are harder to get into which is stupid because if you get a BA in Business, that's probably the only master's you'll want.

Communications. I used to think nothing of it, kind of a fluff "I don't know what to do with my life" degree. Then I met a lot of people, women like me, who have this degree and pretty good jobs. One works for the NY Mets, the other the NY Jets, the other works for an advertising company in AZ and her client is the biggest casino in the state. She gets to even handle their commercial shoots and loves her work. I know all of these women in person, and all got these jobs within 6 months of graduating.

Can anyone with either of these degrees weigh in? Even just in something as simple as a google search, I find nothing negative about a communications degree when I think I would, but I find nothing POSITIVE about a business degree. It's all so backwards. Communication jobs are more up my ally, but I just want a little advice.

[Yahoo Person]

Why Get a Business Degree?

With over one million college graduates entering the American workforce every year, employers' expectations are rising. Business is one area where continuing education--even for established professionals--is crucial in order to remain competitive. A results-oriented business education, one which combines real-life applications with established theories, is important for your success in our increasingly global and technologically sophisticated business world.

A college degree in business is a highly practical area of study, since the curriculum provides students with so much real-world experience--and thus a smoother transition from school to career. Even so, students are advised to be prepared for the constant changes in the job market. Instead of focusing your studies on a high-demand field, pursue a path that is more in line with your own interests and talents. There's no way to predict how the market will change, so look at your education as a jumping-off point rather than a definitive line to a specific job title or industry. Take the time to do an assessment of what you have to offer, your interests, and your ultimate goals and needs.

A degree in communications opens the door to a variety of opportunities. This is due to the nature of the major, which incorporates a variety of disciplines and is utilized by most, thus career opportunities can range from journalism to business administration to acting. The viability of entering such positions is dependent upon the individual and how said individual represents his or her skill sets. The education provided by a communications degree is fairly broad, and many programs allow for a degree of specialization through the choice of electives.

A small sampling of possible careers with a communications degree:
Language Specialist
Performing Artist
Scriptwriter
Copywriter
Marketing Specialist
Personnel Recruiter
Disc Jockey
Technical Writer
Account Executive

In addition to the positions available to a degree holder, educational opportunities are also opened to communications majors, specifically through master's programs that look for a broad skill set, such as business and law schools. With an additional investment of a few years, students can increase their opportunities and earning potential. The variety of graduate programs available is numerous, particularly if the student has high grades and/or above average GRE or LSAT scores.
Salary and Related Fields
Due to the nature of the degree, there is no single career from which to gauge the average salary of a communications major. Individuals interested in possible earnings may search for specific careers that are possible through a communications degree to compare earnings potential. Additionally, higher levels of education will pay more, as will experience gained through internships and/or continued work. It is also important to note that some careers will have considerably higher salaries than others.

Individuals interested in communications may also be interested in liberal arts, social work, or performing arts.

[Doc Martin]

"On top of that, MBA programs are harder to get into which is stupid because if you get a BA in Business, that's probably the only master's you'll want."

You are misinformed. The MBA is specifically designed for students who do NOT have a degree in Business. There is too much overlap with the two degrees.
Business grads should seek a Master's (MA/MS) in some Business specialty, such as Finance, or perhaps an MPA.

There are no guarantees, but a good Business degree from an AACSB-accredited school still has decent career prospects.
Communications is known on every campus in the USA as the Degree for Dummies. There are few real career opportunities for Communications grads. Many end up cleaning toilets at Taco Bell for a living.