3 answers
Hayley
Student
Cacao, Quebradillas
1
Question
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What skills, experiences, or habits should I focus on in high school if I want to study Business Administration with a minor in Computer Information Systems and later combine entrepreneurship and technology to create opportunities in my community?
What skills, experiences, or habits should I focus on in high school if I want to study Business Administration with a minor in Computer Information Systems? I’ve already been involved in community projects, local entrepreneurship efforts, and school programs that let me explore leadership and technology, but I want to make sure I’m fully prepared for college and my future career, where I hope to combine entrepreneurship and technology to create opportunities for others.
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3 answers
Enrique Martinez
2
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Enrique’s Answer
I completely agree with Liam. You clearly know what you want, so keep pushing forward. Facing challenges is important. Not everything will be smooth, but when you encounter a big obstacle, find the best way to handle it. There are many paths to your goal, and if changes come, don't be afraid to tackle them. You seem well-prepared and organized, so things will work out. Remember, the easy path isn't always the best one.
I will suggest this book, you can find it online
"Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Life"
I will suggest this book, you can find it online
"Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Life"
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
195
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
You are overqualified to ask this question here!
(In a good way!)
I think you are creative and have an insight in order to pursue your career path. Reading this question I am feeling a strong person with a good sense of what they want to do and are trying to get the best insight from any resource they have available which is awesome! Keep up what you are doing I feel you are well on your way to success!
Try to mix in some soft skills. Network with people and maintain a network of people so you can find opportunities you are interested in. Find opportunities for other people you know! Make a presence for yourself through something like a blog (avoid social media for now) and find a community that will support you and what you do.
I really feel you are further along than what you think to your college path and career path. Make sure you have the right connections so your movement is fluid!
(In a good way!)
I think you are creative and have an insight in order to pursue your career path. Reading this question I am feeling a strong person with a good sense of what they want to do and are trying to get the best insight from any resource they have available which is awesome! Keep up what you are doing I feel you are well on your way to success!
Try to mix in some soft skills. Network with people and maintain a network of people so you can find opportunities you are interested in. Find opportunities for other people you know! Make a presence for yourself through something like a blog (avoid social media for now) and find a community that will support you and what you do.
I really feel you are further along than what you think to your college path and career path. Make sure you have the right connections so your movement is fluid!
Vivek Singh Maurya
Manager Operations
6
Answers
Gurugram, Haryana, India
Updated
Vivek Singh’s Answer
You’re already doing many of the right things—community projects, entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology exposure are exactly the kind of signals colleges and future employers value. Below is a clear, practical roadmap for what you should focus on during high school to be fully prepared for a Business Administration major with a minor in Computer Information Systems (CIS), especially if your long‑term goal is entrepreneurship + technology for social impact.
I’ll organize this into skills, experiences, habits, and mindset, and I’ll clearly separate what is essential vs. nice‑to‑have.
1. Academic Skills to Prioritize in High School (Essentials)
A. Business & Economic Thinking
Colleges expect early exposure to how organizations work, especially if you plan to study business.
Focus on courses or self-learning in:
Economics (micro & macro) – Supply, demand, opportunity cost, market structures [clrn.org], [dcbusiness...oolkit.com]
Accounting basics – Reading financial statements, budgeting, cost–benefit thinking [clrn.org]
Business math & statistics – Data interpretation and quantitative reasoning are core prerequisites for business and information systems degrees [dcbusiness...oolkit.com], [catalog.sdsu.edu]
Why it matters:
Business Administration and CIS programs rely heavily on analytical decision‑making grounded in numbers, not just ideas.
B. Technical Foundations (CIS‑Ready Skills)
CIS is not computer science, but you must be tech‑comfortable.
High‑value technical foundations:
Spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) – formulas, pivot tables, basic analysis
Databases (conceptual level) – how data is stored, queried, and used
Intro programming or logic (Python, JavaScript, or Scratch for structure)
Understanding systems, not coding perfection (how tech supports business goals) [clep.colle...eboard.org], [online.fit.edu]
Why it matters:
CIS programs focus on using technology to solve business problems, not writing perfect code. [online.fit.edu]
2. Experiences That Matter Most (You’re Already Doing Well Here)
A. Entrepreneurship & Real‑World Projects (Most Valuable)
Colleges and business programs value applied experience far more than certificates.
You should continue and expand:
Local business or startup involvement
Social entrepreneurship projects
Running or helping manage small ventures (even informal ones)
Tech‑enabled problem solving (websites, forms, systems, automation) [aralia.com]
Key advice:
Document what problem you solved, who benefited, and what changed—this matters for admissions, scholarships, and internships later.
B. Leadership Roles With Responsibility
Leadership is a core competency in both Business Admin and CIS careers.
Strong experiences include:
Leading teams or initiatives (not just titles)
Organizing programs, events, or systems
Coordinating people + tools to deliver outcomes [k12.com]
Important distinction:
Leadership ≠ position
Leadership = decision‑making + accountability
3. Habits That Predict College & Career Success (Often Overlooked)
A. Systems Thinking
CIS programs emphasize understanding how components work together.
Practice:
Breaking problems into steps
Mapping workflows (people, data, tools)
Asking “If I change this, what else breaks?”
This skill is highlighted across information systems education as foundational. [baker.edu], [catalog.co...ostate.edu]
B. Communication (Written + Verbal)
Every strong business + technology professional must translate:
“Technical complexity → human understanding”
Build this through:
Writing reflections on projects
Presenting ideas clearly
Explaining technology to non‑technical people [businessde...es.uab.edu]
This skill becomes more valuable than coding as you move into leadership roles.
C. Ethical & Impact‑Driven Thinking
Modern business and CIS programs emphasize:
Responsible use of technology
Community impact
Long‑term sustainability
Your stated goal—creating opportunities for others—aligns strongly with how universities frame modern business leadership. [catalog.co...ostate.edu]
4. What You Don’t Need to Stress About (Yet)
You do not need to:
Be an expert programmer
Build advanced apps
Choose a niche too early
Have expensive certifications
Most CIS degrees start with foundational courses by design. [catalog.sdsu.edu]
5. The Ideal High‑School Profile for Your Goals (Summary Table)
AreaWhat Colleges Look ForAcademicsStrong math, economics, writingTechnologyComfort with systems, data, toolsLeadershipReal responsibility, not just titlesEntrepreneurshipInitiative, problem‑solving, impactHabitsStructured thinking, communication, ethics
Final Advice (Most Important)
You’re already ahead. The biggest advantage you can build now is intentional reflection:
Why did this project matter?
What system did you improve?
Who benefited?
What would you do differently?
That mindset turns experiences into long‑term career leverage.
I’ll organize this into skills, experiences, habits, and mindset, and I’ll clearly separate what is essential vs. nice‑to‑have.
1. Academic Skills to Prioritize in High School (Essentials)
A. Business & Economic Thinking
Colleges expect early exposure to how organizations work, especially if you plan to study business.
Focus on courses or self-learning in:
Economics (micro & macro) – Supply, demand, opportunity cost, market structures [clrn.org], [dcbusiness...oolkit.com]
Accounting basics – Reading financial statements, budgeting, cost–benefit thinking [clrn.org]
Business math & statistics – Data interpretation and quantitative reasoning are core prerequisites for business and information systems degrees [dcbusiness...oolkit.com], [catalog.sdsu.edu]
Why it matters:
Business Administration and CIS programs rely heavily on analytical decision‑making grounded in numbers, not just ideas.
B. Technical Foundations (CIS‑Ready Skills)
CIS is not computer science, but you must be tech‑comfortable.
High‑value technical foundations:
Spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) – formulas, pivot tables, basic analysis
Databases (conceptual level) – how data is stored, queried, and used
Intro programming or logic (Python, JavaScript, or Scratch for structure)
Understanding systems, not coding perfection (how tech supports business goals) [clep.colle...eboard.org], [online.fit.edu]
Why it matters:
CIS programs focus on using technology to solve business problems, not writing perfect code. [online.fit.edu]
2. Experiences That Matter Most (You’re Already Doing Well Here)
A. Entrepreneurship & Real‑World Projects (Most Valuable)
Colleges and business programs value applied experience far more than certificates.
You should continue and expand:
Local business or startup involvement
Social entrepreneurship projects
Running or helping manage small ventures (even informal ones)
Tech‑enabled problem solving (websites, forms, systems, automation) [aralia.com]
Key advice:
Document what problem you solved, who benefited, and what changed—this matters for admissions, scholarships, and internships later.
B. Leadership Roles With Responsibility
Leadership is a core competency in both Business Admin and CIS careers.
Strong experiences include:
Leading teams or initiatives (not just titles)
Organizing programs, events, or systems
Coordinating people + tools to deliver outcomes [k12.com]
Important distinction:
Leadership ≠ position
Leadership = decision‑making + accountability
3. Habits That Predict College & Career Success (Often Overlooked)
A. Systems Thinking
CIS programs emphasize understanding how components work together.
Practice:
Breaking problems into steps
Mapping workflows (people, data, tools)
Asking “If I change this, what else breaks?”
This skill is highlighted across information systems education as foundational. [baker.edu], [catalog.co...ostate.edu]
B. Communication (Written + Verbal)
Every strong business + technology professional must translate:
“Technical complexity → human understanding”
Build this through:
Writing reflections on projects
Presenting ideas clearly
Explaining technology to non‑technical people [businessde...es.uab.edu]
This skill becomes more valuable than coding as you move into leadership roles.
C. Ethical & Impact‑Driven Thinking
Modern business and CIS programs emphasize:
Responsible use of technology
Community impact
Long‑term sustainability
Your stated goal—creating opportunities for others—aligns strongly with how universities frame modern business leadership. [catalog.co...ostate.edu]
4. What You Don’t Need to Stress About (Yet)
You do not need to:
Be an expert programmer
Build advanced apps
Choose a niche too early
Have expensive certifications
Most CIS degrees start with foundational courses by design. [catalog.sdsu.edu]
5. The Ideal High‑School Profile for Your Goals (Summary Table)
AreaWhat Colleges Look ForAcademicsStrong math, economics, writingTechnologyComfort with systems, data, toolsLeadershipReal responsibility, not just titlesEntrepreneurshipInitiative, problem‑solving, impactHabitsStructured thinking, communication, ethics
Final Advice (Most Important)
You’re already ahead. The biggest advantage you can build now is intentional reflection:
Why did this project matter?
What system did you improve?
Who benefited?
What would you do differently?
That mindset turns experiences into long‑term career leverage.