What area of the business industry is best for me?
I am going to college to major in business and I am not sure what area of the industry would best fit me and would also be the most beneficial as well. How do I find which one best fits me? #business #entrepreneurship
4 answers
Stephen Carter BA (Hons)
Stephen’s Answer
It is very difficult to answer this question as there are so many areas. Personally I knew I wanted to get into business management so did a business management degree that touched on every aspect. I think this shows an aptitude to potential employers of both willingness and ability in the individual and often they are looking for that as much as a major discipline. I fell into banking and although my degree wasn't specific to what I am actually doing it helped show my potential when going ( and being successfully ) promotors through the ranks despite starting at the bottom with non-graduates. Hope this helps
Irene’s Answer
Margaret,
Ask yourself the following:
- What are your strengths?
- Which disciplines do you like the most and why?
- What do you like doing?
For example in my case:
-I like problem-solving, I am very organized and I also like to see what can go wrong in a plan or project (some risk analysis)
I have a Bachelor in Petroleum Engineering, worked in the oil and gas for a while then pursued a Master in Management and currently I work as a Project Analyst for an IT company.
The major you pursue now in the college might not be what you end up doing 10 years from now.
It is ok to have more than one option on the areas that will be best for you (the areas that you will like the most)
Nicolas’s Answer
Angus’s Answer
Hi Margaret
There are so many! Depends on what your strengths and desires are ... many people say that doing an internship in a given company gives you a good feel of the kinds of "roles" within a business that might appeal - but when choosing an industry - follow your passions. Are you interested in tech? Or helping people? Or
Make sure you follow your real potential - where do you think you will excel? Not everyone will succeed as a lawyer / doctor - and likewise not everyone can succeed in some roles in business (I'm rubbish with numbers!!) - so choose something that would "fit"
Also - think about growth potential or speed of change of the industry ... e.g. the tech industry (so many different types ... Ecommerce, bio-tech, nano-tech, materials science, Artificial Intelligence, Data & Analytics etc - all growing and changing rapidly. Traditional retail not so good!
If you like building / fixing - businesses that "make" stuff / build stuff (some areas) are also growing like mad
Have a look around on Google - there are plenty of tools online that may be able to help you refine what kind of role / industry you might be suited to.
If you go for more traditional roles - or a business area not in the above .. make sure you can bring something unique / stand-out to the role that will help that company "change" (all businesses are wanting to change!!)
Also - don't worry too much about where you start ... it's not like the "old days" where a job was for life ... you can always change your business / industry (I went from marketing light bulbs into marketing mobile phones many years ago ... using the "marketing" as the spring-board into the next business
Good luck - hope this helps
A