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What are the best ways to prepare to be a business major?

I'm in 9th grade and in the near future, I plan to be a business major in college, I ask this question to learn and understand what it takes and how to be a business major.

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Doc’s Answer

In many cases, college graduates regret their choice of degree because it offers minimal job opportunities. However, A business degree is useful in a wide variety of professions. Managerial roles are prevalent among business degree graduates who are interested in becoming a leader. Studying business provides a range of valuable skills that can be used in any profession; that’s why employers seek out business graduates. Depending on what you specialize in, you can get a variety of jobs from accounting to advertising.

PREPARING FOR BUSINESS SCHOOL
If you want to pursue a future career that will require you to be skilled with numbers, I recommend taking advanced mathematics courses, such as calculus and AP calculus. Mathematics will help you to approach problems with a quantitative approach and trains you in logic and problem-solving, which can be critical for many careers in business.

INTERNSHIPS AND COMPETITIONS
Completing an internship during high school can be a great addition to your college applications and resume. Having a business internship under your belt shows admissions officers and potential employers that you have meaningful experience cooperating and collaborating with adults in a professional setting. By completing an internship during high school also shows that you are serious about the major they have chosen to pursue, and will go above and beyond to gain more knowledge in their field.

JOIN BUSINESS CLUBS
There are many business-focused clubs your school may offer, such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), entrepreneurship club, stock market club, and Business Professionals of America (BPA)—all of which offer valuable business experience and often the opportunity for competitions and scholarships. Taking on a leadership position and making a difference in the club will look very good to colleges.

PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS
Pre-College Summer Programs are organized by colleges, offering high school students the opportunity to take college classes, perform cutting-edge research, and connect with other students worldwide before starting college. There are various options available for students who wish to work in business or business-related fields.
Thank you comment icon Thank You Deborah. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others. Doc Frick
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Megan’s Answer

To gear up for a business major, it's crucial to start pondering on what specific business sectors pique your interest. Embark on a research journey to discover potential areas of concentration. This will help you tailor your studies to a specific focus area. It's absolutely fine to switch directions or incorporate an extra concentration that sparks your curiosity! It's also beneficial to keep yourself updated with the latest business trends and news. This will provide you with a clear picture of the existing industries and opportunities.
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Biplab’s Answer

As a former Econ major, you're looking at a track that is adjacent to what mine was. Cheers!

If available to you, consider taking some Economics courses in high school as this context can help you transition into the undergraduate business curriculum.

Mathematics knowledge will also help you be more prepared for college coursework in the business area.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in business. There are many careers in business, e.g. finance, accounting, trading, human resources, administration, etc. Have you thought about what you have interest?
Below are my suggestions :
1. Find out more business related careers. There are plenty of information online.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest.
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Grete’s Answer

It's great you're thinking about your future with a future! I majored in Finance and some helpful tips I would suggest are trying various business classes before university or at university. This will give you a perspective if business seems like a good fit. One of the most important tips I would suggest is to take advantage of your network, professors, professional organizations, classmates, networking events... because this may land you a future internship and job. Perform informational interviews to understand what people's functions are. This will help you decide if it's something you may be interested in. The business world is very broad with many exciting opportunities, I wish you all the best!
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sofia’s Answer

when you are looking at schools with a concentration in business. Ensure that it requires a business core requirement prior to your curriculum for your major. This will expose you to different areas of business and you can always have more than one major within business. In the mean time grab a few of the books in the business section of the book store and glance/read through it so you can get an idea. Secondly do a few insight tests to see what your natural skillsets are. Then do a self assessment of what you like most. Example data/ numbers / people etc, what do you like to work best with.
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Thomas’s Answer

One way to find out more about what interests you have in business is to think about why you like certain types of businesses, from large public companies you know or hear about, or maybe an idea of what you want to do. Also, if you like certain subjects like math, or science or music this could help guide you to areas of certain businesses you like.
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John’s Answer

To determine if a business major is right for you, consider diving into various business books, podcasts, or YouTube channels. Look for a specific topic that sparks your interest and motivates you to earn a degree. A business degree opens up a world of opportunities, so having a clear focus and genuine passion can be a great advantage.
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Benjamin’s Answer

Start strengthening your math and technical abilities as soon as possible. Becoming proficient in Microsoft Excel is extremely beneficial - the sooner you master it, the better equipped you'll be for the subjects that come with a business major. Moreover, exploring the various job roles in the business field can give you a clearer understanding of the relevance of the classes you'll be attending.
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Clarisse’s Answer

While you're currently in the 9th grade, you still have some time before you officially begin your college journey. So, it's advisable to start establishing beneficial habits now that will serve you well in the long term, rather than diving headfirst into business studies. Here are some specific habits you should start developing:

- Regular Reading: Begin by regularly reading business-related books, magazines, and news articles. Make it a habit to read newspapers, which will keep you updated on the latest business trends and help you gain a deeper insight into the sector. When selecting books, opt for those that discuss real-world business issues and case studies.

- Understanding Personal Finance: Having a solid understanding of personal finance is a must for anyone planning to major in business. It equips you with basic financial literacy, comprehension of financial statements, knowledge about investments, and practical decision-making abilities. Start learning about budgeting, saving, investing, and money management. There's a wealth of online resources and apps available to assist you. You can incorporate this into your daily routine by keeping track of your pocket money and expenses using traditional methods like pen and paper, digital tools like Google Sheets or Excel, or various budgeting apps.

- Enhancing Communication Skills: Effective communication, both written and verbal, is vital in the business world. Start practicing by writing essays, reports, and even business plans. Get involved in activities that involve public speaking, such as joining a debate club or taking part in school presentations. This will help improve your confidence and clarity in communication.
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Joe’s Answer

Hello Kingston,

I'm confident that one of the most effective ways for you to gear up for a business major at this point is to get ready for college. This involves several key steps:

1. Enhancing your college application credentials - this includes improving your grades, acing standardized tests, and participating in extra-curricular activities, among other things.
2. Researching potential colleges - consider which institutions you'd like to attend, and specifically look for those with business programs that match your aspirations and interests.
3. Planning your finances - while nobody relishes the idea of paying for education, it's crucial to strategize how you'll fund your studies, determine how much you're prepared to invest, and forecast how you'll manage loan repayments. This will help secure your financial future post-graduation.

In addition, it would be beneficial for you to start boosting your business knowledge. Regularly reading respected publications like the Wall Street Journal and New York Times can be helpful, but if these are out of reach, free online business news sources can be a good alternative. As you read business-related articles, take note of what sparks your interest. This could help you pinpoint the business areas (like finance, accounting, HR, etc.) or industries (such as technology, healthcare, consumer goods, etc.) you might want to specialize in during your business studies. Also, reflect on your current school subjects. If you find you have a strong aversion to math and working with numbers, for instance, it doesn't necessarily rule out a career in finance, but it might indicate that it won't be your favorite.

Keep going, Kingston! You're on the right track and your future in business looks bright.
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Chris’s Answer

Boosting your communication skills is the greatest advantage you can offer yourself. Here's how you can enhance various aspects of your communication:

1. Master the art of listening: Actively listen, maintain eye contact, jot down key points for recall, and avoid interrupting others.

2. Excel in writing: Often, you'll need to express your ideas and proposals in writing. Since you won't be present to clarify doubts, your writing should be comprehensive, yet clear and succinct. This is a skill that needs honing.

3. Be an effective presenter: You'll constantly be showcasing yourself and your ideas, whether in casual one-on-one interactions, group discussions, or addressing a large audience from a podium.

Make it a point to work on these skills throughout your high school years, so they become an integral part of your persona post-graduation.
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Lexi’s Answer

Hi! You're already ahead of the game by thinking about this in 9th grade—way to go! To prepare for being a business major, join any business-related club to get hands-on experience early, and if you’re looking for inspiration, watch shows like Shark Tank to learn about pitching and investing in a fun way. Finally, don’t be shy about talking to older students or family friends who are studying business—they can give you valuable insights. Most importantly, have fun with it, because business is all about learning by doing, and you’re on track to crush it!
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Julie’s Answer

You still have ample time before you need to finalize your major. It could be beneficial to contemplate which areas within business spark your interest, be it marketing, accounting, or something else, and then proceed from there. I recommend browsing through online articles or books about different business degrees to discover what truly captivates you, which could help you gain a clearer perspective. Additionally, you could explore various business-related jobs to understand the potential opportunities that different business degrees might offer. Try to delve into various business fields and identify what appeals to you the most. If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes in business, math, or economics, these could provide you with valuable insights. Finally, consider having a conversation with your school's guidance counselor about resources that your school may provide to assist you in narrowing down the business field you'd like to pursue.
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James’s Answer

Be curious and try to view news and problems from a business perspective. Read financial publications, watch interviews with executives and ask yourself why those with experience have the opinions that they do.

Everyday experiences provide the opportunity to think like a business manager -- why is the checkout line in one store always long? Are there process, technology, or training improvements they should be making? How would you run such a business?
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Priyanka’s Answer

I recommend a few things to gain business acumen that will help you develop a business mindset and also help support you in evaluating what you want to do in business as its very broad!
1. Speak to individuals! It might be at your local store or parents of you friends, ask questions to the adults around you on the work they do and the businesses they are part of. If you don't have much of a community around you, don't worry you can ask questions on career village as well!
2. Listen to 'business' podcasts. Some of my favorites are "How I Built This", "HBR IdeaCast", "Marketing School"
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Awah’s Answer

To prepare for a business major, start by taking some basic math and economics classes in high school. Read books about business and finance to get a feel for the topics. Try to get involved in school clubs or activities that focus on leadership and teamwork. Lastly, talk to people in the field to learn about their experiences and advice.
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Joe’s Answer

Diving into the Wall St. Journal and the NY Times business section is a delightful start to understanding the ins and outs of the business world. It's a fun way to get familiar with the challenges and pace of the corporate universe.
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Kelly’s Answer

Consider carefully the area you wish to focus on with your business degree - be it marketing, management, or any specific field you're passionate about. Having this clarity early on will guide you in securing internships and volunteer work that align with your chosen field, paving the way for a successful career after college.
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Katherine’s Answer

Hey Kingston,

Having been a business owner myself and studied business in college and also lived with other business owners and read a lot, the two best resources I know for building a business are:

Dave Ramsey's book EntreLeadership

and this workbook (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/2017/14678_sgmb_book_eng.pdf?lang=eng)

Also you might like Ken Coleman's book From Paycheck to Purpose.
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