9 answers
Jennifer
Student
Woodside, NY
1
Question
Asked
621 views
What is the best path if I want to follow a business career?
I want to follow something in business but I’m not sure what would be the pest path exactly for me since I want something that is not to much statistics but I also want something that has good pay and maybe even travailing involved but not too much.
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9 answers
Dr. LaShanda Miller, SHRM-SCP
Vice-President, Human Resources
3
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Dr. LaShanda’s Answer
Hello Jennifer,
Business is such a broad category that gives you the foundation to pursue a career in a lot of different paths. Pursuing a general business degree or course of study gives you foundational information and a glimpse of the various types of business focus. While you may not know exactly what business focus you have a passion for when you start the key is the start and get a feel for the coursework. You will quickly decide what direction to take. I too had no interest in statistics but I knew I wanted a "white-collar" job. I did some initial research of the college I thought I wanted to attend to see what classes were required for which program to get an idea of paths that would require the subjects I was not so interested in.
The beauty of Business is that there is no one direction or required coursework. It varies based on genuine interest but there is foundational coursework to get you started. Those with a general business background may elect to focus on entrepreneurship, accounting, human resources, logistics, information technology, marketing, communications, project management, etc....
To address your other desired work environment, each of these areas may or may not offer work-related and paid travel - that often depends on the industry or company you ultimately work in.
Good pay will change as you progress in your career. As with most careers the more experience (learned and hands-on) you have the higher the earning potential.
You do not have to know exactly what industry or specialty you will do to start building your general business experience. Here are a few suggestions to research.
Research different jobs that require a degree in business or related degree. There are many articles that may be useful such as https://www.franklin.edu/blog/what-can-you-do-with-a-business-degree
If you prefer videos over reading, check out some YouTube videos on the value of business degrees such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt9CMFIHtRg
If you are considering trade or a degree program take basic business classes to gain foundational knowledge
Get involved in Community Programs that have career readiness programs that invite in career professionals to talk about what they do
Business is such a broad category that gives you the foundation to pursue a career in a lot of different paths. Pursuing a general business degree or course of study gives you foundational information and a glimpse of the various types of business focus. While you may not know exactly what business focus you have a passion for when you start the key is the start and get a feel for the coursework. You will quickly decide what direction to take. I too had no interest in statistics but I knew I wanted a "white-collar" job. I did some initial research of the college I thought I wanted to attend to see what classes were required for which program to get an idea of paths that would require the subjects I was not so interested in.
The beauty of Business is that there is no one direction or required coursework. It varies based on genuine interest but there is foundational coursework to get you started. Those with a general business background may elect to focus on entrepreneurship, accounting, human resources, logistics, information technology, marketing, communications, project management, etc....
To address your other desired work environment, each of these areas may or may not offer work-related and paid travel - that often depends on the industry or company you ultimately work in.
Good pay will change as you progress in your career. As with most careers the more experience (learned and hands-on) you have the higher the earning potential.
You do not have to know exactly what industry or specialty you will do to start building your general business experience. Here are a few suggestions to research.
Dr. LaShanda recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for the advice.
Jennifer
Marissa Fain
Assistant Manager
1
Answer
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Marissa’s Answer
Hi Jennifer,
My name is Marissa, I am currently an Assistant Manager with Verizon. I am also working on my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Verizon is a great place to work at with not only pay but tuition assistance. I am not here to sell you on working with Verizon but I would recommend working with a company that pays for your schooling. I still have no idea what I want to do with my degree but surprising opportunities come my way.
My name is Marissa, I am currently an Assistant Manager with Verizon. I am also working on my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Verizon is a great place to work at with not only pay but tuition assistance. I am not here to sell you on working with Verizon but I would recommend working with a company that pays for your schooling. I still have no idea what I want to do with my degree but surprising opportunities come my way.
Chirayu Rupani
Data Analyst
295
Answers
Frisco, Texas
Updated
Chirayu’s Answer
There are many paths to a career in business, and the best one for you will depend on your interests and skills. Some popular business majors that may align with your interests include marketing, management, and international business. These majors typically involve a mix of coursework in business fundamentals such as finance, accounting, and economics, as well as specialized courses in areas like consumer behavior, strategic management, and global trade.
Marketing, for example, is a field that focuses on promoting and selling products or services to consumers. This can include market research, advertising, and public relations, and often includes traveling for market research and meeting with clients.
Management is another popular field in business, which focuses on leading and organizing people and resources to achieve a company's goals. This can include roles such as management consulting, operations management, and human resources management.
International business is a field that focuses on the relationships between companies and the global market, including trade, investment and cultural understanding. This field can include roles such as international trade specialist, global marketing manager, and international business consultant.
It's also worth considering a business-related graduate program, such as an MBA, which can open up even more career opportunities and earning potential.
Ultimately, you should research the various business fields and speak with professionals in the field to gain a better understanding of what each has to offer and which might be the best fit for you.
Marketing, for example, is a field that focuses on promoting and selling products or services to consumers. This can include market research, advertising, and public relations, and often includes traveling for market research and meeting with clients.
Management is another popular field in business, which focuses on leading and organizing people and resources to achieve a company's goals. This can include roles such as management consulting, operations management, and human resources management.
International business is a field that focuses on the relationships between companies and the global market, including trade, investment and cultural understanding. This field can include roles such as international trade specialist, global marketing manager, and international business consultant.
It's also worth considering a business-related graduate program, such as an MBA, which can open up even more career opportunities and earning potential.
Ultimately, you should research the various business fields and speak with professionals in the field to gain a better understanding of what each has to offer and which might be the best fit for you.
Chris Rucki
Sales
1
Answer
Thomasville, Georgia
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hello, and thank you for asking. I'm sure your question can benefit quite a few people! When I started college, I wanted to pursue something in business, but I had no idea where to start and how to decide.
I went to a Division 2 school that had a reputable business program. I absolutely love how they had you enter the business school. Before you entered you had to take 2 or 3 prerequisite courses. They had to do with ethics, presentations, and a course that dealt with using tools like Microsoft Office. Then after getting in they had the introductory courses to finance, marketing, accounting, and management. I am grateful that I took each course because that is what led me to deciding my degree - marketing. By taking the class and learning the principles, I was able to find out what intrigued me and led me to pursue my passion.
I hope that if you are undecided and are attending college you have a program that can help guide you to where you want to go. Don't be afraid to ask advisers what may be the best path - often they may have valuable insight that is helpful going where you want to go. If you are not in college you may want to ask around people in each field you are interested in.
I may be oversimplying things, but when it comes to finance and accounting, are you proficient in math? Do you see yourself in banking or helping companies manage their budgets? As for management, do you see yourself leading others? Are you known as a leader among your peers, or do you inspire people to be a better version of themselves? With marketing, are you into advertising or sales? Are you confident in decision making and with presenting? All of these may help you consider where you may want to go.
In short, definitely reach out to people that are seen as successful in their fields. They may already be passionate about what they do. I will always remember what my first marketing professor taught us, and this is why I chose marketing. Always focus on the needs of the customer. Most enter or create a business to make a profit. But if you focus on solving needs of a customer, you will always have work to do!
I went to a Division 2 school that had a reputable business program. I absolutely love how they had you enter the business school. Before you entered you had to take 2 or 3 prerequisite courses. They had to do with ethics, presentations, and a course that dealt with using tools like Microsoft Office. Then after getting in they had the introductory courses to finance, marketing, accounting, and management. I am grateful that I took each course because that is what led me to deciding my degree - marketing. By taking the class and learning the principles, I was able to find out what intrigued me and led me to pursue my passion.
I hope that if you are undecided and are attending college you have a program that can help guide you to where you want to go. Don't be afraid to ask advisers what may be the best path - often they may have valuable insight that is helpful going where you want to go. If you are not in college you may want to ask around people in each field you are interested in.
I may be oversimplying things, but when it comes to finance and accounting, are you proficient in math? Do you see yourself in banking or helping companies manage their budgets? As for management, do you see yourself leading others? Are you known as a leader among your peers, or do you inspire people to be a better version of themselves? With marketing, are you into advertising or sales? Are you confident in decision making and with presenting? All of these may help you consider where you may want to go.
In short, definitely reach out to people that are seen as successful in their fields. They may already be passionate about what they do. I will always remember what my first marketing professor taught us, and this is why I chose marketing. Always focus on the needs of the customer. Most enter or create a business to make a profit. But if you focus on solving needs of a customer, you will always have work to do!
Jack Alexakis
Project Manager
11
Answers
Lakewood Ranch, FL
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hi Jennifer.
My suggestion is there are free career assessments out there and that give you some feedback on "what" you might want to do. Also, a lot of college students do not go out and look for internships while they are in college. This is huge, typically you start working internships your sophomore or junior summers with an organization. You would go to your school's resource center and typically they would have a program in place or you could try and find a job on your own.
Internships are great for companies because they get to hire potential future employees at a test run of a short period of time. You can also try and work different departments so you can be exposed to finance, marketing, operations, etc. based on what companies need for help that summer. Some internships pay and some do not. I have seen it many times before the internship employee enjoys the company and vice versa and they are offered a position when they graduate with their degrees.
If you need to find an internship on your own, go to the internet and look up local business in your community. Call the local number and ask for someone in HR because you would like more information on potential internships. Some of this you might have to find and sell yourself, but the reward could be an offer towards a great career.
Good luck.
My suggestion is there are free career assessments out there and that give you some feedback on "what" you might want to do. Also, a lot of college students do not go out and look for internships while they are in college. This is huge, typically you start working internships your sophomore or junior summers with an organization. You would go to your school's resource center and typically they would have a program in place or you could try and find a job on your own.
Internships are great for companies because they get to hire potential future employees at a test run of a short period of time. You can also try and work different departments so you can be exposed to finance, marketing, operations, etc. based on what companies need for help that summer. Some internships pay and some do not. I have seen it many times before the internship employee enjoys the company and vice versa and they are offered a position when they graduate with their degrees.
If you need to find an internship on your own, go to the internet and look up local business in your community. Call the local number and ask for someone in HR because you would like more information on potential internships. Some of this you might have to find and sell yourself, but the reward could be an offer towards a great career.
Good luck.
Aaron Holloway
Mortgage Operations-Closing Specialist
33
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Hello,
To start a career in business I would suggest looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and see what business field have the most job openings, demand, and or need for employees. You can also research what that the salary range is for that particular field. You can also Google search this information, and go to www.glassdoor.com to get information on salaries for a particular job. Also, reach out to companies to inquire about their internship program. Lastly, you can ask someone you know to see if you can shadow them at work for a day or sit and ask about their profession. Good luck with your search.
www.bls.gov
www.glassdoor.com
To start a career in business I would suggest looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and see what business field have the most job openings, demand, and or need for employees. You can also research what that the salary range is for that particular field. You can also Google search this information, and go to www.glassdoor.com to get information on salaries for a particular job. Also, reach out to companies to inquire about their internship program. Lastly, you can ask someone you know to see if you can shadow them at work for a day or sit and ask about their profession. Good luck with your search.
Aaron recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Aaron!
Jennifer
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1816
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. There are plenty of opportunities having Business as your major. E.g. you can consider to work as Banker, Management in corporates or trading companies, accounting, etc. It really depends on what you really have interest.
If you would like to travel, you can consider to overseas intern or working opportunities as well. Alternatively, there might be travelling opportunities to work in international corporates.
I suggest you can explore any intern or management trainee in large banks or global corporates. They may post their internship or management trainee programs on their website. Sometimes, they may host information in the college. If there are any corporates you have specific interest, you can consider to send your cv to their HR department with a covering email explain your interest to work for them.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
If you would like to travel, you can consider to overseas intern or working opportunities as well. Alternatively, there might be travelling opportunities to work in international corporates.
I suggest you can explore any intern or management trainee in large banks or global corporates. They may post their internship or management trainee programs on their website. Sometimes, they may host information in the college. If there are any corporates you have specific interest, you can consider to send your cv to their HR department with a covering email explain your interest to work for them.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Elizabeth Gravina Wetherall
Operational support to investment managers
33
Answers
Islip, New York
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
“Business” is a very broad range of exciting and different paths. To help narrow down the vast number of avenues, I would suggest examining your current likes/dislikes. Are you a numbers person? Are you a people person? What makes you curious and want to learn more?
My college curriculum was well rounded business administration. It was by taking different business classes that I was able to get exposure to the different avenues and identify which areas excited me versus which ones I dreaded. And by the way, the end state was a very different area of business then I thought I wanted when I started college.
Be open to experience, and that experience will guide you. Talk to people. Ask them about their education and career paths.
And most importantly, remember nothing is forever. But you’re not going to know if something “fits right” unless you try it on.
My college curriculum was well rounded business administration. It was by taking different business classes that I was able to get exposure to the different avenues and identify which areas excited me versus which ones I dreaded. And by the way, the end state was a very different area of business then I thought I wanted when I started college.
Be open to experience, and that experience will guide you. Talk to people. Ask them about their education and career paths.
And most importantly, remember nothing is forever. But you’re not going to know if something “fits right” unless you try it on.
Tom Carnevale
M&A Consultant
1
Answer
Oradell, New Jersey
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Hi Jennifer - I think Accounting provides a strong background for developing business acumen. With an accounting background you truly learn the language of business and the impacts that any initiative in business will have on a Company's financial statements. Having a background in accounting will be valuable to any team in any function in business!
When I went to school I wanted to keep as many options open to myself as possible. Although I ended up loving my career as a CPA and the Firm I work with, my initial thinking when choosing accounting as my major was to not pigeonhole myself with a more specific major (finance, marketing etc.). Wanted to keep as many options as possible open and that ended up being true with Accounting.
Plus the travel working in accounting has been a lot of fun and taken me to many interesting locations in both the USA and abroad.
Whether you’re starting college or finishing up your studies, Access Your Potential Career Readiness and Digital Skills curricula are available to help you grow and discover what you want for your career.
Sign up to have access to these free programs and more at accessyourpotential.pwc.com
When I went to school I wanted to keep as many options open to myself as possible. Although I ended up loving my career as a CPA and the Firm I work with, my initial thinking when choosing accounting as my major was to not pigeonhole myself with a more specific major (finance, marketing etc.). Wanted to keep as many options as possible open and that ended up being true with Accounting.
Plus the travel working in accounting has been a lot of fun and taken me to many interesting locations in both the USA and abroad.
Whether you’re starting college or finishing up your studies, Access Your Potential Career Readiness and Digital Skills curricula are available to help you grow and discover what you want for your career.
Tom recommends the following next steps: