Does business and engineering go together?
Hey I’m in my last year of high school and university applications are around the corner. I’m interested in applying to an engineering school and then doing a masters in business, in order to become a subject matter expert. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this before and if this path has any potential. Thanks!
Numerous successful engineers have treaded this path to ascend into leadership positions, or even to launch their own tech ventures. It paves the way to diverse arenas like product management, operations, consulting, or even entrepreneurship.
If both fields ignite your passion, this path holds immense promise!
Prominent People Who Combined Engineering and Business in Their Education:
1. Elon Musk
• Education: Studied Physics and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Career: Founder of SpaceX and Tesla, Musk’s background in physics and economics has enabled him to innovate and lead in both technology and business sectors.
2. Satya Nadella
• Education: Earned a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Mangalore University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
• Career: As the CEO of Microsoft, Nadella has transformed the company by integrating technology and business strategies effectively.
3. Jeff Bezos
• Education: Graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and later pursued business ventures.
• Career: Founder of Amazon, Bezos utilized his technical expertise and business acumen to build one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world.
4. Mary Barra
• Education: Holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the same institution.
• Career: As CEO of General Motors, Barra has successfully led the company through significant transformations, applying her engineering background to drive innovation in the automotive industry.
5. Indra Nooyi
• Education: Earned a Bachelor’s in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from Madras Christian College, followed by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
• Career: Former CEO of PepsiCo, Nooyi used her analytical skills developed through her engineering education to excel in the business world.
6. Sheryl Sandberg
• Education: Received a Bachelor’s in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. While not strictly an engineering background, her understanding of technical aspects in her roles at tech companies like Facebook is notable.
• Career: As the former COO of Facebook (now Meta), Sandberg combined her business expertise with her understanding of technology.
7. Tony Fadell
• Education: Holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
• Career: Known as the “father of the iPod,” Fadell’s engineering and business skills helped him innovate at Apple and later start his own ventures.
8. Ginni Rometty
• Education: Earned a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University and completed a management program at the Wharton School of Business.
• Career: As former CEO of IBM, Rometty integrated technology with business strategy to navigate the company’s transformation in the digital era.
Benefits of Their Combination of Education:
• Technical Proficiency: These leaders have a deep understanding of the technical aspects of their industries, allowing them to make informed decisions and drive innovation.
• Strategic Thinking: Their business education enables them to develop strategies that align with technological advancements and market demands.
• Leadership Skills: Combining these disciplines equips them with the skills to lead diverse teams and manage complex projects that require both technical and business insights.
In summary, many successful leaders have combined engineering and business in their educational paths, leading to impactful careers in various industries. This combination not only enhances their problem-solving abilities but also positions them as effective leaders capable of bridging the gap between technology and business.
All the best!
Thanks for the great question. I am inspired by your ambition. I am a mechanical engineer and have a master’s in engineering science/engineering management (with many business aspects). My background is in the defense and automotive manufacturing industry, so I will comment from that perspective.
Mechanical engineering is a fantastic foundation for many roles. I currently lead a company which helps businesses operate more efficiently using software tools and artificial intelligence aids. Prior to this, I led a team for the Advanced System Integration of defense/military vehicles and projects. In addition, I had many other roles in my career in the automotive industry including thermal engineer, design/release engineer, vehicle systems engineer, system safety engineer, and a variety of engineering leader roles. The engineering foundation enabled me to have a successful and wide variety of career experiences.
There are many types of engineering – Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Software, Industrial, Manufacturing and more. For mechanical engineering, there are also many sub-focus areas, so you can pick the area(s) that you find the most interesting. Some examples include: Thermal systems/fluids, Mechanical Structures, Materials, and Automotive design.
At University, many people enter programs which offer co-op/internships. For these, you can work a few of your school terms. This enables work experience, different career areas to experience, and an opportunity to earn money along the way. This allows you to explore different types of engineering work and may help you identify in what area you initially want to work. For these university programs, it could take 5+ years.
For pursuit of a business-related degree. Some manufacturing companies will pay for your continued advanced education. So, you may want to consider this as well. (ie..If you attained a technical engineering degree, went to work for a manufacturing company, you may be able to leverage that company’s advanced education program for your future business degree.)
For myself, I pursued an approach similar to above. I attained my mechanical engineering degree, went to work for a large automotive company, and then pursued part time (while working) my Engineering Management degree (which had many business aspects). The company paid for this advanced degree.
Best wishes as you explore your future career.
Many companies look for individuals who can bridge the gap between technical teams and business operations, making your unique skill set highly sought after. Plus, having a solid foundation in both areas can open up diverse career opportunities, whether in engineering management, consulting, or entrepreneurship. It sounds like a fantastic plan! Just stay focused on your interests, and you’ll find a path that excites you. Good luck with your applications!
Great idea if you want to further develop your career more on the Business and management side , however a subject matter expert is an expert in a particular field, and do not necessarily need a master in a Business field he can do further studies to specialise in a particular area in his field , and do certifications to advance in a leadership role if this is what you want . Having both engineering and Business management expertise will be opening you doors to careers such as Engineering manager , engineering project manager, a subject matter expert in engineering however will take a more senior role in his field such as senior Engineer but not necessarily a manager.
I hope this helps and good luck for the future 👍🏾.
My advice would be to identify your strong suit first. If you excel in technical aspects, then pursuing a higher degree or masters in a technical field could be a wise decision. Conversely, if business is your forte, there are numerous areas you can specialize in based on your skills and expertise. These include Human Resources, Recruitment, Business Operations Management, Marketing Management, and more. Your task is to discover the path that aligns best with your abilities and interests.