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What is the best type of job the business major can get
I am interested in this major and wondering if it is beneficial #business .
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6 answers
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Ken’s Answer
A business major can get any job that relates to business, including entrepreneur, banker, sales, or technology. It really just depends on your personal interest. My undergraduate degree was in Marketing. I got a job in marketing when i graduated that lasted 1 year before I was laid off. After I started my own business and ran that for a few years. I earned my MBA, and got a few certifications that enabled me to land the job i have now. I would say that if you don't love a particular discipline like Marketing, Finance etc then get a general major like business administration because it will expose you to all disciplines and make you well rounded.
Kellee Scott
Director, MBA Admissions at USC Marshall School of Business
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Los Angeles, California
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Kellee’s Answer
Hi Trent! What a great question. My general answer is: Any job or path that interests YOU!
I say this because no matter what you do, EVERYTHING is a business and could use business skills. Sure, there are typical paths in corporate areas like finance, operations, marketing...etc. But the professional dancer could use skills on managing income, the writer could use organizational skills, and the event planner could definitely use help on managing teams and client relationships.
I would encourage you to consider this question: What would a best job for YOU look like?
Think about the criteria that would make a job great for you: High salary? Flexible work schedule? Travel included? Do you prefer analytical work or do roles using more creative skills excite you? Would you like to work in a team heavy environment or prefer more solo tasks? etc... Test your criteria out with summer internships (if possible). You're not expected to know EXACTLY what you want to do so early in your career, so don't feel pressured to pick just one path. Enjoy exploring the possibilities, there is no wrong way to go. Even if you initially work in areas you discover you don't like, you will gained more insights about yourself, which will lead to decisions with more satisfying outcomes in the future. Your classes may help direct you as well. Personally, finance class taught me that I NEVER want to work in finance (LOL). I loved marketing and organizational behavior, so I focused initial career efforts in those areas. Perhaps the following steps will help:
Brainstorm a list of what elements your dream job/career would have
Prioritize the list and put your "must haves" at the top, "like to haves" next, and "would be a bonus to have" at the end
Take note of the business classes where you excelled. Explore career paths that use those skills.
Connect with classmates who share your interests. No need to journey alone. Support and resource sharing will ease any pressure.
Don't neglect your personal interests. (tennis, bowling, knitting, cooking... whatever makes you happy!)
I say this because no matter what you do, EVERYTHING is a business and could use business skills. Sure, there are typical paths in corporate areas like finance, operations, marketing...etc. But the professional dancer could use skills on managing income, the writer could use organizational skills, and the event planner could definitely use help on managing teams and client relationships.
I would encourage you to consider this question: What would a best job for YOU look like?
Think about the criteria that would make a job great for you: High salary? Flexible work schedule? Travel included? Do you prefer analytical work or do roles using more creative skills excite you? Would you like to work in a team heavy environment or prefer more solo tasks? etc... Test your criteria out with summer internships (if possible). You're not expected to know EXACTLY what you want to do so early in your career, so don't feel pressured to pick just one path. Enjoy exploring the possibilities, there is no wrong way to go. Even if you initially work in areas you discover you don't like, you will gained more insights about yourself, which will lead to decisions with more satisfying outcomes in the future. Your classes may help direct you as well. Personally, finance class taught me that I NEVER want to work in finance (LOL). I loved marketing and organizational behavior, so I focused initial career efforts in those areas. Perhaps the following steps will help:
Kellee recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Darcy’s Answer
It depends on if you want to work for yourself or someone...These business degrees give you enough to run a small business and be in control of your success...if you like working for big companies, then insurance or stock companies provide excellent salaries. Go for the gold!!!!
Updated
Blair’s Answer
Trent,
You can truly do anything! Majoring in business will not lead you down a specific path as someone pursing a nursing degree would, but I personally feel that's the exciting part. The perfect job will be based on what meets your specific needs! Some of mine are below and have changed over the years, based on life/experience.
1. A job I don't dread waking up and doing every morning
2. Being in a position where I am given the ability to think outside of the box and sometimes fail without fear
3. Money is a lot of people's motivation and I would be lying if I said it wasn't one of mine. But I have found that it's just as important to have a good work life balance.
You can truly do anything! Majoring in business will not lead you down a specific path as someone pursing a nursing degree would, but I personally feel that's the exciting part. The perfect job will be based on what meets your specific needs! Some of mine are below and have changed over the years, based on life/experience.
1. A job I don't dread waking up and doing every morning
2. Being in a position where I am given the ability to think outside of the box and sometimes fail without fear
3. Money is a lot of people's motivation and I would be lying if I said it wasn't one of mine. But I have found that it's just as important to have a good work life balance.
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Trent,
That is a great question. I personally got into IT Sales. I can't say that there is necessarily a perfect job out there. However, I can tell you why I chose mine. When I was looking for a career a wanted to have something that I enjoyed doing and that I felt challenged me every day and that I could earn a decent wage. Sales also offers me the opportunity to pursue different job opportunities in the future and gives me a great understanding of business as a whole.
That is a great question. I personally got into IT Sales. I can't say that there is necessarily a perfect job out there. However, I can tell you why I chose mine. When I was looking for a career a wanted to have something that I enjoyed doing and that I felt challenged me every day and that I could earn a decent wage. Sales also offers me the opportunity to pursue different job opportunities in the future and gives me a great understanding of business as a whole.
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I don't think there is a "best" type of job for a business major. The major gives you a solid foundation to pursue a multitude of different careers that may be of interest you. This isn't just for finance. ANY job could use a business major because in the big picture, a business has to make a profit to stay alive and people who understand numbers, customer satisfaction, marketing, payroll, etc. will be needed.
Hi Paul, you brought up a very interesting point that there is a need for business folks in all types of jobs. Can you say more about the versatility of business and how they can interact with other fields?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Whether it's a large corporation with 1000 employees or a small family business with just 10 employees, a car dealership whose main focus is to sell cars or a medical facility needing to manage patient care, a company who does business in only one geographic location or a large international conglomerate who does business across the globe, it doesn't matter. ALL businesses must plan for the future and turn a profit in order to keep their doors open. ALL businesses must not only keep current customers happy but gain new customers to increase revenue. ALL businesses must pay attention to what's happening in the markets as well as keep an eye on their competition.
Paul Gullatte
Business majors have developed a set of skills which enable them to do a number of different things instead of just specializing in only one. Because of this, they can work in a number of different industries including the ones I listed above. For example:
Accounting & Finance: You won't do tax returns but you will be asked to interpret the data so the business can make a decision based upon the numbers and plan for the future.
Management & Administrators: They deal with the day to day operations. They make sure things run smoothly and address any obstacles and/or problems. .
Marketing and Sales: Like I said previously, a business has to gain new customers and this is done through effective marketing and salesmanship.
Paul Gullatte