What Can I Do With This Major

Business Studies

Business studies focuses on the principles of business, management, and economics, combining studies in accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and supply chain operations.

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Management

Common Career Paths

  • Entry-level/Management-trainee
  • Supervision of employees and operations
  • Project management
  • Team management
  • Information management
  • Operations management
  • Middle management
  • Top management

Employers

Nearly every type of organization across industries offers management positions:

  • Financial institutions
  • Retail stores
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Service providers
  • Healthcare organizations
  • Manufacturers
  • Technology companies
  • Educational institutions
  • Local, state, and federal government
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Self-employed

Strategies

  • Be prepared to start in entry-level management trainee positions or corporate rotational training programs.
  • Gain related experience through summer jobs, internships, and part-time jobs.
  • Work at a retail store or restaurant, and advance into a team lead or assistant manager position.
  • Get involved in student organizations and pursue 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 in a team.
  • Develop strong problem-solving skills.

Sales

Common Career Paths

  • Industrial sales
  • Consumer product sales
  • Financial services sales
  • Services sales
  • Advertising sales
  • Corporate sales
  • Manufacturer representation
  • Direct consumer sales
  • E-commerce
  • Customer service
  • Sales management:
    • District, regional, and higher

Employers

  • For-profit and nonprofit organizations
  • Product and service organizations
  • Manufacturers
  • Financial companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Print and electronic media outlets
  • Technology companies

Strategies

  • Obtain experience through summer jobs, internships, and part-time jobs.
  • Seek leadership positions in campus organizations.
  • Work on campus in a sales position, such as selling advertisements for campus newspaper, directory, or radio station.
  • Learn organizational skills, how to work well under pressure, and how to work 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 and learn to effectively communicate with a wide range of people through courses like interpersonal communication and public speaking.
  • Develop a strong knowledge base of the product or service you will be/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 or technical, require at least one to two years of a proven record in outside sales or specialized training. Be prepared to start in a different industry before getting into these areas.

Insurance

Common Career Paths

  • Sales
  • Claims
  • Underwriting
  • Risk management
  • Asset management
  • Loss control
  • Customer service

Employers

  • Insurance firms
  • Insurance brokers

Strategies

  • 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

Common Career Paths

  • Commercial banking
  • Retail/Consumer banking
  • Credit analysis
  • Lending
  • Trust services
  • Mortgage loans
  • Branch management
  • Operations

Employers

  • Banks
  • Credit unions
  • Savings and loan associations
  • Financial services institutions
  • Wholesale lenders
  • Housing lenders
  • Federal Reserve banks

Strategies

  • 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 to work well with a diverse clientele.

Real Estate

Common Career Paths

  • Brokerage/Sales
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Office and industrial
  • Farm and land
  • Property management
  • Appraising
  • Land development

Employers

  • Real estate brokers
  • Banks
  • Appraisal firms
  • Apartment and condominium complexes
  • Leasing offices
  • Developers
  • Large corporations: real estate departments

Strategies

  • 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 criteria 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

Common Career Paths

  • Recruiting/Staffing
  • Compensation
  • Benefits
  • Training
  • Safety
  • Employee relations
  • Industrial relations
  • Organizational development
  • Equal employment opportunity
  • Employment law
  • Consulting

Employers

  • Large organizations in a variety of industries:
    • Banks and financial institutions
    • Retail stores
    • Restaurants
    • Hotels and other facilities
    • Service providers
    • Healthcare organizations
    • Manufacturers
    • Software and technology companies
  • Educational institutions
  • Temporary or staffing agencies
  • Executive search firms
  • Local, state, and federal government
  • Labor unions
  • Major nonprofit organizations

Strategies

  • 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 in employment law.

Getting Started and Advancing in Major

  • 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.

Professional Associations

Related Resources

Occupational Outlook

Employment Opportunities