4 answers
Aidan
Student
Middlebury, Connecticut
1
Question
Asked
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How will I determine what area in business I want to focus on?
I enjoy finance, management and marketing. As a current college freshman, I look forward to opportunities to help me decide.
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4 answers
Diana Cobian
Sales
16
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hello Aidan,
Great question! As a college freshman interested in finance, management, and marketing, you're in a good spot to explore business areas. Here's how you can find the best path for you:
1. **Know Your Strengths & Interests**
- Ask yourself: Do you like analyzing numbers (finance), leading teams (management), or creating campaigns (marketing)?
- Try online career tests like StrengthsFinder or MBTI to learn about your natural skills.
2. **Get Real-World Experience**
- **Internships & Part-Time Jobs:** Work in finance, management, or marketing roles to see what excites you.
- **Join Business Clubs:** Participate in groups like DECA, FBLA, or university clubs to work on real projects.
- **Networking & Mentorship:** Connect with professionals through LinkedIn, alumni events, and interviews.
3. **Try Projects & Side Hustles**
- Start a small business or side hustle to use your finance, management, and marketing skills.
- Offer to manage social media, organize events, or create budget plans for clubs.
4. **Take Various Business Courses**
- Enroll in finance, management, and marketing classes to find what you like.
- Explore electives like entrepreneurship or digital marketing to match your strengths.
5. **Stay Updated on Trends**
- Follow trends in finance (like fintech), management (like leadership), and marketing (like digital ads).
- Read books, listen to podcasts, and follow business leaders.
6. **Reflect & Adjust**
- Think about your experiences: What do you enjoy? What feels easy and exciting?
- Don't rush—many people change careers. You can start in one area and switch later.
💡 **Final Tip:** You don't have to pick just one! Many jobs mix finance, management, and marketing, like entrepreneurship or product management. Keep an open mind, gain experience, and trust the process!
Great question! As a college freshman interested in finance, management, and marketing, you're in a good spot to explore business areas. Here's how you can find the best path for you:
1. **Know Your Strengths & Interests**
- Ask yourself: Do you like analyzing numbers (finance), leading teams (management), or creating campaigns (marketing)?
- Try online career tests like StrengthsFinder or MBTI to learn about your natural skills.
2. **Get Real-World Experience**
- **Internships & Part-Time Jobs:** Work in finance, management, or marketing roles to see what excites you.
- **Join Business Clubs:** Participate in groups like DECA, FBLA, or university clubs to work on real projects.
- **Networking & Mentorship:** Connect with professionals through LinkedIn, alumni events, and interviews.
3. **Try Projects & Side Hustles**
- Start a small business or side hustle to use your finance, management, and marketing skills.
- Offer to manage social media, organize events, or create budget plans for clubs.
4. **Take Various Business Courses**
- Enroll in finance, management, and marketing classes to find what you like.
- Explore electives like entrepreneurship or digital marketing to match your strengths.
5. **Stay Updated on Trends**
- Follow trends in finance (like fintech), management (like leadership), and marketing (like digital ads).
- Read books, listen to podcasts, and follow business leaders.
6. **Reflect & Adjust**
- Think about your experiences: What do you enjoy? What feels easy and exciting?
- Don't rush—many people change careers. You can start in one area and switch later.
💡 **Final Tip:** You don't have to pick just one! Many jobs mix finance, management, and marketing, like entrepreneurship or product management. Keep an open mind, gain experience, and trust the process!
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Aidan
Janel Caminos
4
Answers
Updated
Janel’s Answer
Aidan,
It’s great that you’re already exploring different areas of business! As a college freshman, you have plenty of time to discover what truly excites you. Here are some ways to help you decide:
1️⃣ Take Introductory Courses
Since you enjoy finance, management, and marketing, take entry-level courses in each. Pay attention to which topics excite you the most.
2️⃣ Get Hands-On Experience
Join Business Clubs – Finance club, marketing club, or student government can help you see what you enjoy.
Apply for Internships – Even a part-time role or shadowing experience can give you insights into different fields.
Start a Small Project – Try investing in stocks (finance), leading a team in a group project (management), or promoting an event on social media (marketing).
3️⃣ Network & Seek Mentors
Talk to professors and professionals in these fields to learn about their experiences.
Attend business networking events or LinkedIn webinars to see what careers spark your interest.
4️⃣ Assess Your Strengths & Interests
Do you enjoy analyzing numbers and financial trends? Finance might be for you.
Do you love leading teams and organizing projects? Management could be the best fit.
Are you creative and enjoy branding, advertising, and consumer behavior? Marketing may be the way to go.
5️⃣ Stay Open to Growth
Many business professionals blend multiple areas—finance experts work in marketing analytics, and managers need financial skills. You don’t have to choose just one path right away!
💼 Tip: Consider double majoring or minoring in a related field to broaden your expertise.
Keep exploring, gaining experience, and networking—you’ll find the right fit!
It’s great that you’re already exploring different areas of business! As a college freshman, you have plenty of time to discover what truly excites you. Here are some ways to help you decide:
1️⃣ Take Introductory Courses
Since you enjoy finance, management, and marketing, take entry-level courses in each. Pay attention to which topics excite you the most.
2️⃣ Get Hands-On Experience
Join Business Clubs – Finance club, marketing club, or student government can help you see what you enjoy.
Apply for Internships – Even a part-time role or shadowing experience can give you insights into different fields.
Start a Small Project – Try investing in stocks (finance), leading a team in a group project (management), or promoting an event on social media (marketing).
3️⃣ Network & Seek Mentors
Talk to professors and professionals in these fields to learn about their experiences.
Attend business networking events or LinkedIn webinars to see what careers spark your interest.
4️⃣ Assess Your Strengths & Interests
Do you enjoy analyzing numbers and financial trends? Finance might be for you.
Do you love leading teams and organizing projects? Management could be the best fit.
Are you creative and enjoy branding, advertising, and consumer behavior? Marketing may be the way to go.
5️⃣ Stay Open to Growth
Many business professionals blend multiple areas—finance experts work in marketing analytics, and managers need financial skills. You don’t have to choose just one path right away!
💼 Tip: Consider double majoring or minoring in a related field to broaden your expertise.
Keep exploring, gaining experience, and networking—you’ll find the right fit!
Thank you, Janel!
Aidan
Dr. Rita Stafford
Director Business Resilience & Crisis Management
11
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dr. Rita’s Answer
What a great question about how to determine what area of business you want to focus on. The reason why it is such a great question, is that it is not a point in time question. You are going to discover that your career is a journey, not a destination. Being open to try new things, change, and grow will make your journey amazing and open doors you could not even imagine!
3 tips:
1 - KNOW YOURSELF - know your strengths and what type of work / things energizes you.
2 - TRY THINGS - be open to trying different jobs in business, gaining experience and learning more about what you enjoy and what interests you.
3 - BE OPEN - say yes to new opportunities, even if they are different from what you imagined and be open to learn / grow.
As you learn more of yourself, gain more experience, understand what energizes you and brings you joy - you will move in that direction and have greater impact!
All the best,
Rita
3 tips:
1 - KNOW YOURSELF - know your strengths and what type of work / things energizes you.
2 - TRY THINGS - be open to trying different jobs in business, gaining experience and learning more about what you enjoy and what interests you.
3 - BE OPEN - say yes to new opportunities, even if they are different from what you imagined and be open to learn / grow.
As you learn more of yourself, gain more experience, understand what energizes you and brings you joy - you will move in that direction and have greater impact!
All the best,
Rita
Janneke Van Eck
Change Management
2
Answers
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Updated
Janneke’s Answer
Hi Aidan,
Wonderful that you are already thinking ahead.
One way to find out whether you are more interested in one or the other topic is by looking for internships or volunteering opportunities in each of these areas. The great thing here is that you are able to 1. try out the area and see what you do and what you don't like, but also it is a great way to network and get to know people within that specific area that might help you in the future.
Another thing you can look into is whether there is a job that somehow combines two or three areas of business together. (e.g. Chief of Staff, Head of Operations, or Product Marketing Manager)
Lastly, you don't (and probably won't) get it right the first time. You will have your whole working career to develop and grow in your abilities and understand what you like and what you don't. Keep in mind that finding out what you don't like or want to do is also part of the journey and is not a waist of time, but is just as valuable.
Trust in yourself and your abilities, and enjoy the journey you are on!
Wishing you all the best, and good luck,
Janneke
Wonderful that you are already thinking ahead.
One way to find out whether you are more interested in one or the other topic is by looking for internships or volunteering opportunities in each of these areas. The great thing here is that you are able to 1. try out the area and see what you do and what you don't like, but also it is a great way to network and get to know people within that specific area that might help you in the future.
Another thing you can look into is whether there is a job that somehow combines two or three areas of business together. (e.g. Chief of Staff, Head of Operations, or Product Marketing Manager)
Lastly, you don't (and probably won't) get it right the first time. You will have your whole working career to develop and grow in your abilities and understand what you like and what you don't. Keep in mind that finding out what you don't like or want to do is also part of the journey and is not a waist of time, but is just as valuable.
Trust in yourself and your abilities, and enjoy the journey you are on!
Wishing you all the best, and good luck,
Janneke