Why I Dropped my Business Major at Carnegie Mellon

Here's a little insight into why studying business at Carnegie Mellon Tepper wasn't for me, thanks for watching! :) Subscribe to me here! bit.ly/MICHAELSONG
If you’re new to the channel: welcome ~ I’m Michael and I'm a junior at Carnegie Mellon University studying Information Systems. I make new videos every week about college and tech
Ps: If there's anything else you want to know about my experience at Tepper, Carnegie Mellon, or interning for big tech (FAANG) please let me know in the comments below and I'll address it in a future video!
Contents
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0:00 Why I Chose Business
1:07 Career Outcomes
1:48 Networking
2:12 Classes & Workload
3:03 Tepper Rank
3:41 My First Coding Class

[@amoghmeena191]

Man, the transparency that showed in this video!! It takes courage. I was also admitted to a top school and was in the same situation a few months back. Like you I also ended up choosing CS for the same reasons. Keep the content coming!!

[@sel5274]

this was eye-opening! thanks for sharing your experiences

[@miso-tech]

yay :)

[@thalapathyvijay914]

thank you for the perspective!

[@miso-tech]

Thank you for watching!

[@CainAthens]

Just got accepted into Tepper this has really helped me out. I have always loved coding and I'm officially going into IS! Thx.

[@akuabaryeh5181]

i appreciate this video. this doesnt rlly have anything tto do with me since i wanna go into cosmetic formulation but i always find videos like this entertaining like im having a nice chat abt life with someone

[@miso-tech]

thank you for the positive feedback 😁😁 i feel that way too, sometimes i just put videos on to feel like im around other people

[@wzec73]

This is the kind of stuff I wish I knew before college - I didn't even know what consulting or IB were let alone what I was going to do with my business degree!

[@JoshTseng]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, switching majors is a difficult decision for most people. I'd just like to highlight though that while consulting and banking are two of the most lucrative career choices for business majors, there are other really valid paths that can lead to highly well-compensated careers. It's just that most of them don't start out with the 6-figure salary out of college that you were looking for. Logistics is one I love highlighting because of how under-rated it is -- it's really challenging but essential in most places. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is often forgotten as someone who used to be the logistics/operations guy at Apple and helped solve for some of their most challenging supply chain issues. Also, US-based tech jobs that pay 6 figures out of college are usually only found in the most expensive places to live in like Washington and SF, as far as I'm aware. Most other places will offer less if the cost of living is also lower there. Finally, as someone who did a polytechnic diploma in a business-related field (marketing) and a degree in information systems, I definitely can see where you're coming from when you said the business subjects aren't challenging. Business subjects often feel rather superficial and a lot of what you need in your career is learned on the job. I think business degrees can still be incredibly useful for a lot of people, but do wonder often about how things can be taught differently to make it more engaging and relevant to real-world experiences. But that's a monumental problem and a conversation for some other place.

[@miso-tech]

wow, thank you for the thoughtful comment! I agree with all of your points! No doubt all areas of business can be incredibly ludicrous and tech salaries are higher where the CoL is high as well.

[@takuyamatsuda7214]

True. I’m almost done w finance so I’m going to finish the degree but I also added an Econ major with a business analytics track for this reason. Looking to try to get into a masters for data science or something equivalent so I can switch over. Can’t really switch majors to CS or otherwise though unless I want to pay a crap ton of overtime credits. I agree w pretty much all points for why I’m switching as well aside from networking. I was actually able to find some people who I really enjoyed talking to.

[@miso-tech]

that is awesome! regarding networking - i believe it can be positive, I think I’m just too awkward or unused to talking in a semi professional context to enjoy it LOL. I wish you luck with your career pivot!!

[@takuyamatsuda7214]

@@miso-tech that’s fair. In my case it honestly was relatively informal. I think it was because I was more so networking in order to ask questions about what they do and who they are, but it ended up opening a couple of doors for me. Thank you though :) I haven’t seen ur other videos but I wish you luck with yours as well.

[@Faktsfc]

Wow, never related to someone as much as this, I was an econ major last year, switched my major to cs for the same reason, and like it a lot more. Although its not something im really passionate about, it does give me that comfort of getting a good and stable job.

[@aar2014]

That’s really the dynamic with business careers. You will endure many years of low pay after graduation before you prosper financially. The exceptions are investment banking and management consulting but even with those two fields, the early career pay is low when you look at it on an hourly basis. The advantage with business however is that the more work experience you have over time, the more valuable you become. Also, you can adapt your career strategy as companies and industries change.

[@denismacm]

I had a pretty similar experience-enrolled into university as a business major and didn't get anything much of the introductory classes. After exploring programming through my first coding class, I made the switch to CS and felt incredibly challenged for once by having to apply deep, critical thinking skills. It just feels much more rewarding for the amount that we're paying for school!

[@miso-tech]

I agree! Business degrees have merit, but are far as what you learn with a Tech-related degree I feel like the business degrees are severely outclassed

[@sitrakaforler8696]

I do understand you! Sometimes a parent could be great for some but not perfect for you 😆 Good luck on your path!

[@miso-tech]

I agree! They never have bad intentions with their advice, but as people we are all different

[@donghapaek3821]

amazing video!

[@miso-tech]

amazinger comment!

[@codychan4067]

same here, graduated with the top GPA at business school and I am a software engineer now lol

[@miso-tech]

LOL

[@maestro1168]

I thought about Information Systems and Software Engineering but I hate fixing computers and coding in front of the computer all day. Remember the tech industry is known for burnout. I’m continuing Philosophy (the ultimate study of how to think and reason) and Entrepreneurship because fuck 9-5 and working for someone else.

[@miso-tech]

that’s sick!! being your own boss seems better than being restricted to a 9-5. also, I agree with the burnout thing. coding is definitely not fit for everyone, even for most people in the industry I’d say (me included).

[@BrianAriyo]

Loved this video Michael , especially as a current business major myself I do feel some of your frustrations! I still like business but long term I might switch my career experience. Dunno what the future holds!

[@miso-tech]

Thank you so much for the positive feedback!! I really appreciate it:) doesn't hurt to try something new! its kind of scary though, cause theres opportunity cost with it. Business degrees can definitely be lucrative and fulfilling definitely, but this was just a glimpse into my own experience

[@xiaoliangtang9592]

Nice insight and nice whisky in the background :D

[@neogening3792]

it’s a no shock that you wanted to transfer from business to IS/CS lmfao. If you’re at a school like CMU you might as well use the privilege wisely, like you did. Props to you for being honest about wanting a good career and not romanticizing tech like so many other creators do

[@miso-tech]

LOL yes i agree, kind of a no brainer when cs is even mildly interesting

[@marla0412]

omg another layton fan hi!

[@jobssteve4175]

isn't it difficult to switch other major to cs major in CMU? I am prospective student and I got in socail scienence major but I am thinking of cs major. Thanks.

[@introvertdude99]

Better to study accounting if going for a business degree. You can go anywhere in business with a accounting degree.

[@nabi5864]

Im a USC(BS) and Columbia MBA grad...Worked at GoldSach InvestBank...Hated it with a passion...I thought about MIS from the beginning.. Today I just run a couple of retail and restaurants ... Still paying off student loans ... Some good experience and met awesome people along the way... Other than that I can honestly say for me personally it was BullSh totally waste of my time doing something I hated..If I could do it all over again, I would NOT fall into the trap of being obsessed in High School of doing all that crap in name of IVY and Top Tier .. I was a stupid young 17 year old TEEN for God's sake , I would of taken 2 years to work and travel .. then as im closer to 21 I would pretty much know what I wanted to do and go about it wisely like staying within state and attending FREE or far below the cost of unnecessary private top tier schools ... Most fresh out HS students seemed clueless what they really wanted or what the heck they were doing there...Unless you were this super smart kid from a wealthy family without. care in the world ... That's my experience and maybe hope it makes sense to someone

[@imranq9241]

It's awesome that you figured all of this out before investing ~$200k and several years in a business career like most people do .. what do you think about the crazy competition for CS jobs though ?

[@miso-tech]

that’s a great question! maybe it’s because I’m at CMU and my friends are at Umich, but my friends and I haven’t had much trouble finding great internships and jobs out of college in SWE. I think the fact that the process is more merit based is really great because if you have enough preparation and get your foot in the door by getting interviews, youll get an internship

[@JoshTseng]

Gonna echo what Michael replied you: tech jobs are not competitive in the slightest if you're at all competent, sociable, and can work in a team. To put it another way, your only barrier to entry is your interest and level of competency. Entry is only competitive for the most attractive workplaces like Facebook, Apple, Google, and so on. But there's tons of other great jobs at other places too. There's simply too many open jobs in tech roles like cybersecurity, software development, and data / analytics for employers to be too picky unless they're paying the most and/or have the most sought-after workplaces themselves.

[@sw6273]

Thank you for your video! How difficult was it to internally transfer to IS? Do you know what the acceptance rate is?

[@miso-tech]

Thank you for watching! I would say the internal transfer process is only mildly competitive (probably 50%+ acceptance rate). I applied twice, freshman spring and sophomore fall and got rejected my first application. I think it was because I had only taken the intro programming course before my first app. I would say if you're interested in applying, just make sure to take a couple coding classes your freshman year and projects if you have time! If you have any other questions, let me know!

[@sw6273]

@@miso-tech Thank you for the info! I was waitlisted at CMU for IS major and Psych major this spring. I wasn’t sure what I should do given that I am already accepted at Georgia Tech as a CS major. (My goal is to work at a FAANG company as a SWE and become a startup founder.) I will attend CMU if accepted as an IS major, but I wasn’t sure if I should attend if I was accepted as a Psych major, which led me to asking you about the internal transferring process.

[@sw6273]

@@miso-tech Thank you for the info! I was waitlisted at CMU for IS major and Psych major this spring. I wasn’t sure what I should do given that I am already accepted at Georgia Tech as a CS major. What would you do? (My goal is to work at a FAANG company as a SWE and become a startup founder.) I will attend CMU if accepted as an IS major, but I wasn’t sure if I should attend if I was accepted as a Psych major, which led me to asking you about the internal transferring process.

[@miso-tech]

hmm. I wish I knew more about Georgia Tech's CS program, but US news ranks it very highly. I would say that all the top schools (GTech included) have tons of people flooding into big tech and FAANG each year. Additionally, if you only get into CMU for Psych, it is a bit risky to depend on getting into IS (although it is reasonably likely). That being said, I truly believe that you will be fine at either school because no matter which you choose, you can easily end up at FAANG. I think you have nothing to worry about, because your worst case is that you go to a great school! I hope this helped!

[@sw6273]

@@miso-tech Thank you so much for your help!

[@Manning9171]

The reverb in the audio is brutal. You might really be recording in a cave with a hyper-realistic green screen In the future, you could drape several towels over a ladder, placed behind the camera, to absorb the sound which is bouncing off your walls.

[@miso-tech]

LOL thank you for the honest feedback. I'll try and use a mic and fix the issue in the future. Let me know if my future videos sound the same 😄

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

@@miso-tech or use de-reverb plugins where you can (not the same as fixing your room), but do something next time :p

[@hyperp9895]

how about information system major for business degree

[@christophershanklin112]

Lol you forgot to tell them that you have to take Macro, Micro, and accounting for information systems too but you get some coding classes as well

[@toxicyasuo2897]

Lol I just got rejected from the waitlist for cmu this video helps

[@miso-tech]

lmaooo glad I could help

[@ludovicivan7679]

Good choice

[@joshnguyen11]

nice

[@miso-tech]

nice!

[@Ali-zu7kt]

Business grad here, worst decision in my life.

[@FCHESS2023]

I cant agree anymore

[@PC-ee7tz]

Just fumbled on this one. Don’t know why it’s pushed to me. Anyway. Was all I heard money? Did I hear it correctly?

[@hashimayub6340]

Why couldn’t you have double majored?

[@20891]

But an MBA is more marketable anywhere

[@miso-tech]

This video was more about undergraduate business degrees as I really have no authority at all to be talking about MBAs. Even still, I'm not saying BBAs are useless~ in terms of jobs and salary, you can easily eclipse any other industry through the finance track. I just meant it wasnt for me

[@nycto16]

Studying CS is useless because anyone can become software engineer if they like... but business degree is worth doing because you can do so many thing even coding! I personally hate coding because it is just so boring lol Finance is way more interesting than CS. Marketing, Finance, HRM, Supply Chain etc these fields are demanding and high paying. I am a business student and love my field.

[@miso-tech]

I completely disagree with the first statement. But, the others I do agree with! Business is more versatile in that you can join a bunch of different fields, but it is not for everyone in the same way that computer science is not for everyone

[@nycto16]

@@miso-tech Yeah but why are you disagree? I meant that CS is useless because you can learn coding on your own you doesn't need college degree for that. But business is worth doing, other people can't take your place without having business degree.

[@miso-tech]

​@@nycto16 do you mean the degree itself is useless? I'm sure it's much easier to get a high paying job in tech with a degree, even if you can self study. I do agree that it's much harder / next to impossible to get finance jobs without a degree so I can understand where you're coming from. I think I misunderstood earlier because I thought you meant programming as a whole is useless, but if you meant the degree then I am inclined to agree with you a little more than before

[@nycto16]

@@miso-tech Yes I am talking about degree not programming as a whole. My whole point was that if you can learn programming on your own then why to waste 4 years on a CS degree? On the very other hand, Business degree is worth doing because the things you learn in 4 years no one else can learn those things without going to college and earn that degree.

[@miso-tech]

@@nycto16 I think I'd still have to disagree. I don't think either business or computer science have subjects that cannot be learned outside of the classroom. In fact, I think that competency is more difficult to be gained in computer science, but thats my biased opinion

[@SuperEH2393]

Why would you ever major in business? 🤨🤨🤨

[@grantsolomon7417]

Whats you opinion on working in the business side of tech (Marketing, Sales, Product Management, Etc.)? Is that something you also weren't interested in?

[@miso-tech]

tbh I have been pretty money + work life balance in my search for a job since I haven't found a true passion, so those jobs (other than PM) didnt really fall on my radar). PM has the same pay + WLB as software, but I'm honestly just been lazy in attempting to recruit for it. So, yes, it was something I wasn't interested in haha

[@johnbatchler8551]

I don't needvto spen $200,000 on a business degree cause I mastered derivative trading

[@miso-tech]

LOL wish that were me

[@ignitelegend5957]

teach me

[@yixu12951]

You can’t get into Goldman Sachs from CMU

[@miso-tech]

Facts

[@battzorigt6895]

[@guilhermemedeiros3061]

You dropped from a bullshit major to a bullshit major. Just do computer science man.