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Incoming College Freshman

post #1 of 34
7/5/09 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
So I'm going to college this fall, specifically to the Business Admin school.

Having come from an 'advanced' high school, I was taught to think about potential majors ever since sophomore year.

Now, I personally think my views are somewhat confused. Assuming that the finance field brings in money, I wanted to pursue that. Combine that with my love for traveling and learning new languages/cultures, I should go for something like International Business, right? But I hear that major goes nowhere, and in my college, Int'l Business is a co-major, as they call it.

So in simple terms, I want to make money. However being only 18, I realize I'm jaded and can't possibly live that James Bond lifestyle, with all the tailored suits and whatnot.

So far, I've been vague with this whole post. I acknowledge that I haven't hit college yet, but I want to get a grip and be prepared before college starts. I want to have my mind set. Here are some things about me:

- Hate science/ can tolerate math (ironic, no?)
- Love for travel, cultures, and new places
- Working/interacting with people (I can speak 3 languages, and I'd say my Spanish is not bad at all) (I enjoy group projects, etc.)
- Particularly did well in English classes in high school as well as Language classes. Math grades were B+ / A- and hated every science class (almost failed all)
- Want to achieve Boss status a la Rick Ross
- Is working for the UN a possibility? I hate the idea of working for government in general, but I can do it.

A lot of the members here are much older than I am, so some helpful advice would be gladly, gladly appreciated.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 34
7/5/09 at 4:46pm
Link a business related major and international relation/studies. That's what I did, and it provides many options. I did economics and international studies, only knowing I wanted a "practical" degree and to also follow my main interest which is current events and foreign affairs. It opened a lot of doors. UN jobs are very hard but not impossible. I believe they and other international orgs (IMF, World Bank) tend to go for graduate students. You may want to look into an organization called The Washington Center, that helps link students with your interest with globally-oriented summer or semester internships. PM me with more questions, if you like.
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post #3 of 34
7/5/09 at 5:40pm
When teaching I sent some of my students to the Washington Center's programs in DC. They all loved it. Great experience, great contacts, etc.

The World Bank and IMF def. hire PhDs.

Getting abroad via the US gov't can happen. The State Dept is the obvious one, but it can happen in other odd places. I have a friend who works at Labor who travels all the time auditing international labor programs that they give money to. I have no idea how he fell into this plum job since he was so f-ing lazy about finding a job after B school.

b
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post #4 of 34
7/5/09 at 6:55pm
I don't get why people go to school "to make money". I'd rather do something I love and be broke, than do something I like and be rich. Given the 6 digit student loan debt and passion I have for my studies, I guess I'm on my way. Do what will make you happy...
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post #5 of 34
7/5/09 at 11:44pm
The UN no longer accepts undergraduates as interns. As one commenter stated perhaps you would be better advised to intern at a think tank or policy center. You will actually do work in these types of places as well, as a 'alum' of the Washington intern circuit I would advise against programs like the Washington Center unless you have money to burn. If you put in the work and are savvy you can target a person at the place(s) you are interested in and try to get an internship that way. I don't really see the point in paying a thousand dollars for someone to do exactly that. Save your money for all the happy hours you'll be attending!
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post #6 of 34
7/6/09 at 12:50am
"International business" is a fake major, it does not really exist. It is something blonde bimbos say they wanna take because it sounds cool.
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post #7 of 34
7/6/09 at 1:42am
if i were you, i'd ask yourself, "what EXACTLY do i want to do for a living" and/or "who EXACTLY do i want to work for" before addressing these college issues. take it from an old-timer like me, you'll save yourself years of wasting away "oh, i dont know, work for a big corporation working whatever job my major let's me do" is not even close to being a sufficient answer. and that's the problem with 95% of business majors
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post #8 of 34
7/6/09 at 1:50am
Thread Starter 
The thing about it is that I hate office jobs and the whole cubicle mess.

I've already done a bank internship, and the only reason I'd do it again is for the pay.
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post #9 of 34
7/6/09 at 2:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pseudonym View Post
The thing about it is that I hate office jobs and the whole cubicle mess.

I've already done a bank internship, and the only reason I'd do it again is for the pay.

there you go, that's a start. you know what your not willing to do which puts you ahead of the rest

let me rephrase the question differently.. what do you like doing in your spare time? your on the style forum so i'm assuming something fashion related. graphic design? designing clothes? advertising?
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post #10 of 34
7/6/09 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flambeur View Post
"International business" is a fake major, it does not really exist. It is something blonde bimbos say they wanna take because it sounds cool.

Not to derail the thread or anything, but would a International Relations major be looked at the same? I have been planning on applying to U of T for it in the coming spring.

I am in the same boat as pseudonym though, do not really have much of a clue what I want to do, love traveling, cultures, teaching people about my country. Pretty much the only majors I have interest in are International Relations, Journalism, and History. History wont do much for me because I hate children and thus will never want to Teach. Journalism seems like it would be amazing, but highly competitive to get into, and International Relations just looks like a degree sold on the prospect of working for the UN, but never actually being able to achieve it.

pseudonym, ever thought about a Travel agent or Travel industry type job? It has been suggested to me a number of times. A big plus is you get to live like James Bond whenever you go away on trips. An Aunt of mine hasn't paid for a Vacay in 30+ years since she started working in the industry, seems interesting but a little dead-endish.
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post #11 of 34
7/6/09 at 11:36am
I assume you're around 18... so in ten years you will think differenty, and probably say to yourself "Why didn't I do this when I was 18." Don't do something you don't like solely for the money. YOU WILL NEVER BE HAPPY. Talk to older smart family members for advice on this. If you ain't honest with yourself all the advice in the world is meaningless. Just remember youth is wasted on the young.
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post #12 of 34
7/6/09 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Christoff View Post
I...do not really have much of a clue what I want to do

One of the greatest mistakes any college freshman (or HS student) makes is thinking that he or she ought to know what he wants to do for the rest of his life. College is great for finding these things out. As are the 10 years after.

Don't stress over it.

b
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post #13 of 34
7/6/09 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Christoff View Post
Not to derail the thread or anything, but would a International Relations major be looked at the same? I have been planning on applying to U of T for it in the coming spring.



It's tricky. Basically it's worthless without a PhD or at least a masters from a very good school supplemented with research and experience. I wouldn't be surprised if less than 10% of people with an IR major end up in something related to it.

On the other hand, you can always take the foreign service officer test, and if you do well have an interesting career abroad working at an embassy and so on. Much more of a "james bond" lifestyle. I'd definitely consider it if I was 22 and wanted to do something fun and interesting for the next 5-10 years before settling down.

Another crazy path would be to quickly fly through law school after bachelors and go into JAG corps for 5-6 years or whatever the minimum enlistment is. I know a couple of people who went through the JAG program, loved it, paid off their loans, and are now successful in public or private sectors. You can manage to be out in your early 30s, paid off loans, and a TON of litigation/contracts/government experience.
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post #14 of 34
7/6/09 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdawson808 View Post
One of the greatest mistakes any college freshman (or HS student) makes is thinking that he or she ought to know what he wants to do for the rest of his life. College is great for finding these things out. As are the 10 years after.

Don't stress over it.

b

Also true. I'd recommend reading as much as you can and keeping your ears open.. The things I wish I knew when I was still in college...
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post #15 of 34
7/6/09 at 12:59pm
edit: christoff, seriously, look into the whole FSO thing, I think you'd enjoy that. http://careers.state.gov/officer/index.html
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