Business Studies

· In Business, Majors

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Management

Be prepared to start in entry-level management trainee positions or corporate rotational training programs.
Gain related experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
Work at a retail store or restaurant; advance into an assistant manager position.
Get involved in student organizations and assume leadership roles.
Demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and a sense of independence.
Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.
Learn to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well on a team.
Develop strong problem solving skills.

Sales

Obtain experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
Seek leadership positions in campus organizations.
Work for the campus newspaper, directory, or radio station selling advertisements.
Become highly motivated and well-organized. Learn to work well under pressure and to be comfortable in a competitive environment.
Be prepared to work independently and to be self-motivated. Plan to work irregular and long hours.
Cultivate strong persuasion skills. Learn how to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and build relationships. Take courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
Develop a strong knowledge base of the product or service you are selling.
To deliver effective customer service, develop problem solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy. Become committed to customer satisfaction.
Some positions in sales, such as pharmaceuticals, require at least one to two years of a proven record in outside sales. Be prepared to start in a different industry before getting a job in pharmaceuticals.

Insurance

Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many entry-level positions exist in these areas.
Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker.
Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
There are many certifications in the insurance industry. Research those relevant to your area.

Banking

Build a solid background in business including marketing and accounting.
Seek experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in a bank.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.

Real Estate

Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors. Every state requires a combination of real estate courses, passing an exam, and other criterion to gain a license.
Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions.
Develop an entrepreneurial spirit as nearly 60% of brokers and agents are self-employed.
Be willing to work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules.
Investigate apprenticeships in appraisal if that is an area of interest.

Human Resource Management

Large organizations in a variety of industries including:

Take courses in the social sciences such as psychology and sociology.
Gain relevant experience through internships.
Hone your verbal and written communication skills.
Learn to solve problems creatively, and build strong conflict resolution skills.
Develop good computer skills because many human resource systems are automated.
Join the Society of Human Resource Management and other related professional associations.
Be prepared for continuous learning once in the profession, and seek endorsements such as the Professional Human Resource Certification or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist.
Earn a master’s degree for career advancement or a law degree for employment law.

General Information and Strategies

General business is a broad area that can lead to many career opportunities. Students should clearly define their goals and seek experiences and skills necessary to reach those goals.
Gaining relevant experience through part-time and summer jobs or internships is critical.
Learn about various fields of business through research on internet sites, informational interviews of professionals, and exposure to work environments through shadowing, volunteering, or interning.
Develop interpersonal and organizational skills through participation in and leadership of student organizations. Strong communication skills, including public speaking, are also important to achieving success in this field.
Learn to work effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well in a team environment.
Get involved in student professional associations in field of interest.
Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find an experienced mentor.
Consider earning an MBA or other related graduate degree after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of business management.
See also What Can I Do With This Major? for Management, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Logistics and Accounting for additional information.

What Can I Do With This Major?