18 answers
Alivia
Student
Clarksville, Tennessee
1
Question
Asked
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What college classes or extracurriculars gave you the most real-world value in your business career?
I am a freshman Business Management college student.
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18 answers
Diana D
Analyst
3
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Diana’s Answer
100% my Excel course. I was lucky enough that my college had a whole semester course on it. It is the 1 skill that I have consistently used from my degree no matter the role (progressed from consulting to internal operations).
I also encourage people to learn a bit of coding , even a couple hour Python Programming course can teach you the fundamentals of how technology in our world works. Python is a good starting language because it's good at a lot of different applications (though there are better languages for more specialized purposes).
Check if your school offers a dedicated Excel course
If they don't - check if your school (or local library) offers access to Udemy and bookmark a Excel course to take
Check out CodeAcademy.com for some options, alternatively Youtube is a great resource
I also encourage people to learn a bit of coding , even a couple hour Python Programming course can teach you the fundamentals of how technology in our world works. Python is a good starting language because it's good at a lot of different applications (though there are better languages for more specialized purposes).
Diana recommends the following next steps:
Javier Lavado Cañón
Team Manager - IT Industry
2
Answers
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Updated
Javier’s Answer
I completely agree with Diana's answer. Excel is essential in today's world, and it's a great place to start since data analysis is important in every job.
Additionally, I highly encourage you to explore AI tools. If Excel is the foundation now, AI will surely be the foundation of the future, a very near future. It's a crucial skill to have, so I suggest looking into courses on Coursera and getting hands-on experience by using AI tools daily. Try out Chat GPT, Gemini, Copilot, and as many others as you can.
Additionally, I highly encourage you to explore AI tools. If Excel is the foundation now, AI will surely be the foundation of the future, a very near future. It's a crucial skill to have, so I suggest looking into courses on Coursera and getting hands-on experience by using AI tools daily. Try out Chat GPT, Gemini, Copilot, and as many others as you can.
Dana Nguyen-Phan
Product Manager
2
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Dana’s Answer
I studied Management Information Systems at business school (undergrad class of 2024) and now work as a product manager. One of the most important things I did in school was taking classes and joining extracurriculars where we worked with real clients to solve their problems.
The clients don't have to be big companies. Some were local small businesses and some were departments at a community college. This experience was valuable and real, not just for my resume and interviews, but also for building my skillset. I worked on finding the root causes of issues, creating solution plans, assessing risks, and making financial plans. I gained solid examples that I still use today. In today's competitive climate, internships can be tough to get, so it's important to look for impactful opportunities in your community during school or summer.
Even starting your own project to solve a problem can be impactful. Do research, talk to experts on LinkedIn, Google, and through emails, explaining that you're a student eager to help your community and seeking advice. People love to help students, especially when you're passionate about something they care about too. I did this, and what began as finding a common problem for women turned into a winning pitch competition idea. This got me funding to create and launch the actual product. It improved how I think about problems, solutions, and people.
The clients don't have to be big companies. Some were local small businesses and some were departments at a community college. This experience was valuable and real, not just for my resume and interviews, but also for building my skillset. I worked on finding the root causes of issues, creating solution plans, assessing risks, and making financial plans. I gained solid examples that I still use today. In today's competitive climate, internships can be tough to get, so it's important to look for impactful opportunities in your community during school or summer.
Even starting your own project to solve a problem can be impactful. Do research, talk to experts on LinkedIn, Google, and through emails, explaining that you're a student eager to help your community and seeking advice. People love to help students, especially when you're passionate about something they care about too. I did this, and what began as finding a common problem for women turned into a winning pitch competition idea. This got me funding to create and launch the actual product. It improved how I think about problems, solutions, and people.
Stacey Lane
Accounting
4
Answers
Owasso, Oklahoma
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Any courses on Excel or technology. It is something we use every day in business. Learning about business is one thing. The courses that encompass what you will be using in your day to day will give you a leg up!
Kelly C
Finance
6
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Search for internships or job shadowing to boost your college learning. Speak with your professors about nearby opportunities in your field of interest. Join clubs or groups related to your major, as they often host speakers and activities that can deepen your understanding and help you decide if you want to explore the field further.
Josh Pershing
Account Fleet Coordinator
1
Answer
Monroe, Michigan
Updated
Josh’s Answer
A common skill that many people struggle with in the business world is communication. Many jobs need strong B2B (business-to-business) communication skills as well as good internal communication. It's important to improve your communication abilities. This includes not only public speaking but also becoming more understanding. This way, you can better help both external business partners and your coworkers.
Kate Herrera
Human Resources Management
3
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Kate’s Answer
I have an undergraduate degree in social science and went back for an MBA. That background has been very helpful in a few aspects of my MBA. For example, I was the only student in my marketing strategy class who already knew how to conduct a demographic study and assess cultural differences. I am currently in a mentorship program with a large consulting company and they have asked me a lot of questions about my knowledge of things like human psychology, investigative interviewing, and how to talk to people.
During your first two years of college, you’ll get to take a wide variety of general education courses. I would highly recommend taking some from the social sciences and psychology departments. The other course that I’ve found helpful, and has been mentioned by others I’ve spoken with, is criminal justice. I was able to take a course on human trafficking that taught me the investigative process and legal avenues, which helps me now as I’m working on doing some fraud analysis. If you have any interest in white-collar crime, fraud investigations, or related fields this would be a good supplemental course.
During your first two years of college, you’ll get to take a wide variety of general education courses. I would highly recommend taking some from the social sciences and psychology departments. The other course that I’ve found helpful, and has been mentioned by others I’ve spoken with, is criminal justice. I was able to take a course on human trafficking that taught me the investigative process and legal avenues, which helps me now as I’m working on doing some fraud analysis. If you have any interest in white-collar crime, fraud investigations, or related fields this would be a good supplemental course.
Jill Maguire
Business Analyst
6
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Jill’s Answer
Hi Alivia, I studied Business Administration for my undergrad, and now I'm in project management. I made a deliberate choice to explore every area of business—accounting, finance, marketing, and more. This strategy helped me learn a bit about everything, which has been a great advantage as I grow in my career.
Beyond the basic business courses, I found psychology and sociology classes really useful for understanding how people and organizations think and decide. I highly recommend taking communication courses too. Business communication classes can boost your confidence in speaking and presenting—they were incredibly helpful for me!
For extracurriculars, I joined the marching band. It taught me time management, built my confidence, and gave me a supportive community throughout college. College can be tough, and having a community to lean on during challenging times is truly invaluable.
Beyond the basic business courses, I found psychology and sociology classes really useful for understanding how people and organizations think and decide. I highly recommend taking communication courses too. Business communication classes can boost your confidence in speaking and presenting—they were incredibly helpful for me!
For extracurriculars, I joined the marching band. It taught me time management, built my confidence, and gave me a supportive community throughout college. College can be tough, and having a community to lean on during challenging times is truly invaluable.
Lisa Pelletier
Product management
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Alivia,
Having a part-time job was incredibly valuable for me because it allowed me to see how my education could be applied in real life. Even if the job doesn't seem directly related to your field, you can always find a connection. For instance, working in retail or food service teaches you how to interact with a wide range of people, from polite to rude to indifferent. You also gain skills in time management and responsibility. These lessons are more important than they might seem at first.
I wish I had known earlier about the importance of internships. They are extremely valuable and often lead to full-time job offers. I currently work with many interns and learn a lot from them. Be sure to explore any internship opportunities your school offers, and look into local businesses and corporations. You might be pleasantly surprised by how well some internships pay. There are many programs out there that you might not know about. Here's a resource to help you get started: https://www.extern.com/post/best-websites-to-find-internships
Finally, take classes that interest you whenever possible, regardless of how they connect to your future career. You'll get so much out of those classes where you are engaged in the course, you will be surprised at what comes with you later in life.
Having a part-time job was incredibly valuable for me because it allowed me to see how my education could be applied in real life. Even if the job doesn't seem directly related to your field, you can always find a connection. For instance, working in retail or food service teaches you how to interact with a wide range of people, from polite to rude to indifferent. You also gain skills in time management and responsibility. These lessons are more important than they might seem at first.
I wish I had known earlier about the importance of internships. They are extremely valuable and often lead to full-time job offers. I currently work with many interns and learn a lot from them. Be sure to explore any internship opportunities your school offers, and look into local businesses and corporations. You might be pleasantly surprised by how well some internships pay. There are many programs out there that you might not know about. Here's a resource to help you get started: https://www.extern.com/post/best-websites-to-find-internships
Finally, take classes that interest you whenever possible, regardless of how they connect to your future career. You'll get so much out of those classes where you are engaged in the course, you will be surprised at what comes with you later in life.
Gisele Spolador Lopes
Marketing
3
Answers
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Updated
Gisele’s Answer
Tough question. Full disclosure of my profile: I graduated in Communications in 2011, worked the past 14 years in Marketing in different companies and have just finished my MBA in 2023. The first 2 years in the University were more broad topics, getting in-depth about language, sociology, psychology and economics, the last 2 were more specific, covering Digital Media, creating content, ad purchasing and analysis. In retrospect, everything was important. The first 2 years gave me the base and understanding I needed before getting into the detailed topics. The teaching method was tough and required me to chase information and research a lot by myself, which is similar to the work environment.
My experience is to get that balance of classes that can provide you some hard skills, but you will only master when you start working everyday with that, and also research topics that you care about and can provide you soft skills of communications, curiosity, time-management, confidence, empathy, that is valuable in the workspace.
My experience is to get that balance of classes that can provide you some hard skills, but you will only master when you start working everyday with that, and also research topics that you care about and can provide you soft skills of communications, curiosity, time-management, confidence, empathy, that is valuable in the workspace.
James (AJ) Ureel
Software Engineering Team Leader
7
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
James (AJ)’s Answer
A lot of great answers here. Your specialized skills from your major are critical; additional skills will make you more versatile and impactful. I think it comes down to classes and extra curricular events that will build skills beyond your major. Leadership, Communication, Problem Solving, Computer Basics, Data Analysis, etc.
My personal path included a theater minor, participation in student congress, and time in the military. From these I developed skills I've used throughout my career: public speaking, collaboration, team-building, leadership and leadership skills.
Finding courses or activities that both build your skills and are fulfilling is a bonus.
Good luck Alivia!
My personal path included a theater minor, participation in student congress, and time in the military. From these I developed skills I've used throughout my career: public speaking, collaboration, team-building, leadership and leadership skills.
Finding courses or activities that both build your skills and are fulfilling is a bonus.
Good luck Alivia!
Jack Pearson
Delivery Operations Specialist
5
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Totally agree and stand by the Diana's Excel course recommendation. I took a financial modeling and analytics course that was arguably the most impactful class I took in college - not because of the content (I am not a financial analyst), but because of the heavy exposure to Excel and some of its advanced features like forecast modeling, VBA, and macros. Those skills have come in handy in every job I've had since graduating and are used daily in my role now as a Resource Manager.
I also really enjoyed the SQL/Database Management course I took at the same time. Although I have not used SQL in my current position, I found that the concepts in that course really helped to enhance my understanding of how data structures work and taught me more frameworks to think through and analyze data which is directly relevant when using Excel.
Lastly, I would recommend you take advantage of any on-campus job opportunities you can find, especially "office jobs" in Admin, Facilities Management, and/or the library. My on campus-job exposed me to office culture and allowed me to put the skills I was learning in class into practice. On campus jobs are much easier to juggle and fit into your schedule during the school year and often allow you to take time off during the summer, when you can find a more traditional internship to add to your real-world experience.
I also really enjoyed the SQL/Database Management course I took at the same time. Although I have not used SQL in my current position, I found that the concepts in that course really helped to enhance my understanding of how data structures work and taught me more frameworks to think through and analyze data which is directly relevant when using Excel.
Lastly, I would recommend you take advantage of any on-campus job opportunities you can find, especially "office jobs" in Admin, Facilities Management, and/or the library. My on campus-job exposed me to office culture and allowed me to put the skills I was learning in class into practice. On campus jobs are much easier to juggle and fit into your schedule during the school year and often allow you to take time off during the summer, when you can find a more traditional internship to add to your real-world experience.
Lauren Rendina
Accounting
3
Answers
Seaford, New York
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
I would suggest looking into an internship. You can inquire with your business administration office to see what internship programs or career fair events that can give you more real-life exposure.
In addition, you could consider looking into classes that allow you to build on skills such as AI, Excel, professional writing and public speaking.
In addition, you could consider looking into classes that allow you to build on skills such as AI, Excel, professional writing and public speaking.
Thomas Fagan
Accounting
2
Answers
New Albany, Ohio
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
There are a lot of great suggestions! My focus is on your extracurricular activities. Many business schools have many different options for student organizations that are specifically geared towards business students for all different majors. These student organizations are great options to network with other students and also business professionals.
My personal experience as an accounting major was with Beta Alpha Psi and the Accounting Association. These organizations allowed me to take a leadership role at my university and network weekly with business professions. This experience allowed me to build my professional network early in my career as well as gave me a head start on identifying potential employers.
Best of luck! The most important thing is to get involved and make the most of your college opportunity.
My personal experience as an accounting major was with Beta Alpha Psi and the Accounting Association. These organizations allowed me to take a leadership role at my university and network weekly with business professions. This experience allowed me to build my professional network early in my career as well as gave me a head start on identifying potential employers.
Best of luck! The most important thing is to get involved and make the most of your college opportunity.
Shanna Allen
Tax Director
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Shanna’s Answer
Communication and relationship building is a foundation of most business management or any career in general. I would suggest trying to find a job that puts you in front of people and learning to talk to people you don't know well and building a relationship with them. I had many jobs in college that had nothing to do with business but took me out of my comfort zone to learn how to work with various types of personalities. The capstone graduate courses where you were forced to work in groups was very helpful as well, you absolutely get experience working with different types of work personalities and this translates over to real world.
Jess Petrovic
Consultant
6
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Jess’s Answer
I took a negotiations class during my MBA, and it really helped a lot with my job search afterward.
Monie S.
Finance
30
Answers
Savannah, Georgia
Updated
Monie’s Answer
Hi Alivia,
Thanks for sharing your question! To answer, all of the classes were to me because by the time I went back to school, I had a lot more worldly experience. So through different subjects/topics I found myself relating more. For example, I had business ethics and law class that I didn't think I would have much understanding in...but I did.
However, If I had to choose one it would be the practicum class at the end of the business program (of which me a 4 other classmates selected at random) had to run a show business from top to bottom. There were 4 teams of us and multiple times a week we had to run it. We had to delve into corporate social responsibility, TARIFFS (which is at the for front right now!) etc...
I hope this helps!
- M.S.
Thanks for sharing your question! To answer, all of the classes were to me because by the time I went back to school, I had a lot more worldly experience. So through different subjects/topics I found myself relating more. For example, I had business ethics and law class that I didn't think I would have much understanding in...but I did.
However, If I had to choose one it would be the practicum class at the end of the business program (of which me a 4 other classmates selected at random) had to run a show business from top to bottom. There were 4 teams of us and multiple times a week we had to run it. We had to delve into corporate social responsibility, TARIFFS (which is at the for front right now!) etc...
I hope this helps!
- M.S.
Kris Ostvoll
Technology Consultant
4
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Kris’s Answer
My answer to this is maybe a little different from most of the others, but I think there is value to it nonetheless. Concrete skills are great and important to any job, but intangible and omnipresent capabilities can be applied in any context. Being able to read, write, communicate, and think critically about problems are, without a doubt, more important than any specific skill. Taking classes that make you read and write a lot - no matter the topic - are a guaranteed value-add that will pay huge dividends throughout your life. If your school has clubs or activities that force you to engage in public speaking, that will also help you tremendously.