8 answers
Asked
1309 views
Should I double major in Business and fine arts?
I am currently a business major concentrating on entrepreneurship, but I have too many interests in the art, fashion, and beauty industry. I think I should narrow my goals down before committing to a broad major like business. #business #art #fashion #entrepreneur #college-major
Login to comment
8 answers
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I am glad to hear that you have already made up your mind to develop your career in beauty industry. You have also planned to take the relevant major and minor in the college.
However, there is difference between fashion and beauty industry. You may further consider which one you would like to pursue. If you decide to develop your career in fashion, you can consider to take fashion design, textile, management of fashion, etc. as your major. You may need to identify the source of the garments or be the fashion design of your own brand.
On the other, for beauty, fine art may be the closest choice. I am aware of other certificates are available. You can take these courses on your part time basis and earn the certificate.
I would recommend you could look for intern or part time opportunities to work in the industry first. As far as I know, some fashion houses offer intern opportunities. It is an good opportunities for your to understand how the business model and establish your network.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
However, there is difference between fashion and beauty industry. You may further consider which one you would like to pursue. If you decide to develop your career in fashion, you can consider to take fashion design, textile, management of fashion, etc. as your major. You may need to identify the source of the garments or be the fashion design of your own brand.
On the other, for beauty, fine art may be the closest choice. I am aware of other certificates are available. You can take these courses on your part time basis and earn the certificate.
I would recommend you could look for intern or part time opportunities to work in the industry first. As far as I know, some fashion houses offer intern opportunities. It is an good opportunities for your to understand how the business model and establish your network.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
A double major can be a great way to fuel your passion (e.g. fashion) and also develop the skills, knowledge and abilities to succeed in the business world (e.g. the business degree). If a double major seems too daunting or financially unfeasible, I suggest focusing on the business degree. Seek internships, volunteer opportunities or school projects where you can hone in on the fashion, arts, beauty industries.
Updated
Jagoda’s Answer
Hi Angel, that's a good question. If you have the means and persistence for two degrees, I'd recommend that. It's a rare combination on the job market and it can make you stand out.
However if you think about business degree as a mean of gaining knowledge to run your own fashion business, there are a few alternative options:
- learning by doing through internships
- courses (both online or run by institutions)
On the other hand, large organization are recognizing a gap in creative skills ranging from data vizualization (e.g. creating infographics), creativity, design thinking or prototyping. Majoring in fashion does not close the door to business roles.
Another area that combines the best of two worlds is UX - user experience. It's a field combining creative and artistic skills with business and technology. As UX designer you need to understand your customer and design a solution meeting their needs. You'd be asking user questions, coming up with ways of address their need e.g. by brainstorming, prototyping the solution either digitally though software or in real life (through miniatures, cardboard prototypes...) and finally testing the proposed solution with the users.
However if you think about business degree as a mean of gaining knowledge to run your own fashion business, there are a few alternative options:
- learning by doing through internships
- courses (both online or run by institutions)
On the other hand, large organization are recognizing a gap in creative skills ranging from data vizualization (e.g. creating infographics), creativity, design thinking or prototyping. Majoring in fashion does not close the door to business roles.
Another area that combines the best of two worlds is UX - user experience. It's a field combining creative and artistic skills with business and technology. As UX designer you need to understand your customer and design a solution meeting their needs. You'd be asking user questions, coming up with ways of address their need e.g. by brainstorming, prototyping the solution either digitally though software or in real life (through miniatures, cardboard prototypes...) and finally testing the proposed solution with the users.
Updated
Jon’s Answer
What a great challenge for yourself. Always listen to your heart (and your head)... and follow your passions. A business major that always has a creative streak... what a recipe for success! If you can narrow down that would be helpful, as then you can take more relevant electives both inside the business school and outside as well.
Employers really like thoughtful, well-rounded new hires. The more you push yourself both academically and intellectually, the more likely you are to bring your passion to your work and evolve into a leader and role model for others. Employers know that the future leaders of tomorrow are driven by things that are near and dear to their heart, evolving from one of their passions. You may be able to research companies on websites (i.e. https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm) and find out which ones encourage your creative side.
In some cases, you may be able to even find a business franchise that would align to your specific passion. If that sound interesting, you can some research here: https://www.franchiseopportunities.com. Of course, starting a franchise is not for the faint of heart and may require some initial down-payment. If you go this route, be sure to have a mentor to lean on and even consider a partner.
Good luck in your next steps and career!
Employers really like thoughtful, well-rounded new hires. The more you push yourself both academically and intellectually, the more likely you are to bring your passion to your work and evolve into a leader and role model for others. Employers know that the future leaders of tomorrow are driven by things that are near and dear to their heart, evolving from one of their passions. You may be able to research companies on websites (i.e. https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm) and find out which ones encourage your creative side.
In some cases, you may be able to even find a business franchise that would align to your specific passion. If that sound interesting, you can some research here: https://www.franchiseopportunities.com. Of course, starting a franchise is not for the faint of heart and may require some initial down-payment. If you go this route, be sure to have a mentor to lean on and even consider a partner.
Good luck in your next steps and career!
Updated
Nitin’s Answer
My Daughter is doing a double major in Computer Science and Business Admin.
I know a friend's daughter who is doing a major in Comp Sc and a minor in Film Making
My personal opinion is that go for dual major only if you are positively interested in both disciplines as i have seen it 1st hard, it gets really hard to do double major with overlapping subjects and you may not do as well as you might have done, had you stayed with one alone, and that can get frustrating and bring down your morale if you don't space things out properly and plan things well.
My recommendation for your case would be to think hard and make it a major and a minor.
Major in something where you have much better aptitude to succeed, and minor in the area you want to 1st try as a hobby and given how you do going forward, pick it up a serious career as you go.
I know a friend's daughter who is doing a major in Comp Sc and a minor in Film Making
My personal opinion is that go for dual major only if you are positively interested in both disciplines as i have seen it 1st hard, it gets really hard to do double major with overlapping subjects and you may not do as well as you might have done, had you stayed with one alone, and that can get frustrating and bring down your morale if you don't space things out properly and plan things well.
My recommendation for your case would be to think hard and make it a major and a minor.
Major in something where you have much better aptitude to succeed, and minor in the area you want to 1st try as a hobby and given how you do going forward, pick it up a serious career as you go.
Updated
Parniya’s Answer
Hi! From my perspective, I double majored in business and psychology, so I highly recommend doing your double major if you can fit it in your course load. I decided to do business because I knew I wanted to go into HR, but it allowed me to explore different areas of the field while I had the opportunity to do so in school. I decided to also major in Psychology because it was purely just something that I was interested in learning about. If you have all these passions, your time in school is the time to explore them and learn about them. However, take the time as well to try different internships and apprenticeships to narrow down what you would actually like your career to be down the line.
Updated
Dana’s Answer
Well this is a good puzzle. Regarding business degrees-- it's fine that you haven't narrowed down your specific interest. In fact, that's the great thing about business degrees! They are broad and they are meant to be broad and they are meant to be broadly desirable (including to the beauty, art businesses, etc.). I would encourage you to finish out the business degree. Could you add the fine arts and still graduate without tons of loans? Can you get an internship or volunteer at a company that interests you/ This is such an exciting time to find the nexus of your interests! You may one day end up starting or leading a creative organization or several!
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
Hi Angel, good to hear that you know what you are interested in and this is indeed a difficult question. Major in business is a good foundation as you will learn all the basic knowledge and idea that you could utilize in future, so doesn't contradict the passion you have in fashion and beauty industry. It would be nice if you could minor or take some additional class related to arts, fashion, etc. And you probably need to consider what you want to do in the future, if it's related to arts, fashion or beauty, probably doing some related internship will help your profile more than taking abundant classes.