Career and Life advice?
Hi, I'm Abdullah a senior in high school in NYC. I have applied to colleges, mostly business schools but I'm not sure if this was the right choice long term. I'm interested in consumer psychology and social psychology - why people buy the things they do and how companies have the power to influence people's spending habits. So I'm assuming marketing would be the right track for me right? But, I consider myself really introverted and I always choke up in interviews or presentations. Like I get really nervous when talking in front of big audiences, and I would just consider myself a bit socially awkward. I see myself working at a company, I picture myself going to work, learning about customers' spending habits and how that affects how much or what kind of service or product they will continuously purchase. Any advice on what classes I should take in college, what kind of opportunities I should pursue ASAP, who I should be building connections with, how to be a better speaker (LOL) ? Thank you so much!
#business #college #career #marketing #internship
11 answers
Kim’s Answer
Are you good with numbers? There is a growing field called "Data Analytics." Here is one link to information https://www.mastersindatascience.org/resources/what-is-data-analytics/
Being able to work more with data and less with people might be for you. At the very least, you should take an Intro course in this subject. Of course, I am one who likes to encourage people to meet obstacles head-on. I was in one career for 25 years, and avoided certain opportunities because of a fear of public speaking. In my second career, I was required to occasionally teach classes! Yikes! But the more I did it, the more comfortable I became. You have to find a way to "connect" with the people. I did it by starting with a short "test," because attendance was mandatory and people didn't want to be there. Through the test, I demonstrated to them that they just might learn something useful. A lot of people start with jokes, but I can't do that successfully. Or, they start with a short story of a life experience, and then use that to lead into the presentation. I recommend you look into joining Toastmasters. It is a group of people that practices public speaking! They will be supportive of you. Avoiding something, like what I did, will limit your career growth. https://www.toastmasters.org/
Job interviews? Everyone gets nervous! I totally understand social awkwardness. I am too. I'm really good at saying the wrong thing at the wrong time! However, again, through experience, you will get better. You want to have some jobs before looking for your first career position. It doesn't matter if they are customer service, warehouse, or whatever. It's difficult going to a professional interview with no previous work experience. The interviewer should try to put you at ease. Not everyone doing interviewing is cut out for it, so, if it goes bad, it could be their fault! The key will be in preparation. Don't memorize answers, but know what you want to say to certain potential questions! You want to come across as candid and honest.
Bottom line: The more you challenge yourself, and the more success you have, the more self-confident you will become. Even failure will help, because you know that you can get up and take another step, that it's not the end of the world. seriously!!!
Jeff’s Answer
You have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable Abdulla! Most people do feel nervous before speaking publicly, the best way to deal with it is head on. Take a speech class or join a club that interests you and volunteer to speak on something you know a lot about, something you are confident in. Go into it knowing that you may make mistakes. Plan ahead of time to accept and learn from those mistakes so you can do better next time. Look for the earliest opportunity to speak again so you can work on improving your skills and help to overcome your fear.
Alecia’s Answer
Angela D.’s Answer
Angela D. recommends the following next steps:
Kirby’s Answer
Hope this helps.
Simeon’s Answer
Emma’s Answer
When I first started college I was also nervous for interviews, meeting new people, and giving presentations in front of large groups. A group I recommend getting involved with if they are available on campus is a professional business fraternity. I joined my second semester of my freshman year and it changed my college experience. In our fraternity we do mock interviews with each other, learn how to set up Linked In accounts, and network with our alumni who are working in different industries within businesses. I have become much more outgoing and comfortable with interviews since I have friends to practice with and learn from.
I would also recommend working with a career coach. At my college we have a career services department where career coaches specialize in different majors. They are super beneficial when looking for internships, building a resume, and preparing for interviews.
Joining a business fraternity and working with a career coach are great ways to put yourself out there and get more comfortable with public speaking and interviews. Hope these suggestions are helpful!
Andreas’s Answer
Getting nervous during interview is normal, many people experienced it as well, including myself.
Like anything you do in life, the more practice you do the better the result would be.
Also remind yourself that when a company decided to interview you, they already like what they see on your resume.
They just want to know more about you, so be yourself.
Stan’s Answer
Everyone has provided valuable advice on areas to focus on in college. Remember to keep your focus, and never loose that desire to learn and test yourself. You will be pleasantly surprise at what you can accomplish with a laser focus.
I feel your pain regarding interviews / presentations / public speaking. You know..when your voice cracks...you sound like a Disney character.......worst of all .. .that awkward feeling that the other persons is looking you with a "criticize or judgement like" look. I've been through all of it.
No matter what, nothing beats practice. You can't form the good habit without practicing. The tips from the other contributors are great ideas. Please take note of it.
With that said, the key to overcome this is your ability to understand what triggers the nerves, anxiety, drawing blanks, cracking voice, etc. I bet if I sit down with you, 1 on 1, and you present your ideas to me at Starbucks, you will shine. But when you are in these other situations, something changes. I mean physically (brain and body movements).
I found that my receptors / sensors in my brain go haywire in certain situations, and it caused these undesirable reactions to occur. I had to learn what triggered what reaction by situation. Then retrain it or managed it. It was hard and tested my patience. But it can be done.
For me until I discovered this, I could only get so much value out of practicing. I called this my "yips", and like a golf swing or pitching, these are influenced by your brain.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Stan N.
N’s Answer
I am glad that you have applied to universities and have taken the first step in your higher education. Most of the time students change their majors while in college until they figure out what they really like to do and what they enjoy. Consumer Psychology is an interesting career and there are many ways to get to it. Marketing, Behavioral economics, and even data analytics can get you there but every major has a different rout and requirement. In my experience business school is a great place to start. You should research the schools that you are being admitted to and try to meet some students and faculty there. Every business school is unique and prepare students with a broad range of knowledge. But you should really look into specific concentrations that those schools have. I believe that you cannot got wrong with a business degree especially if you concentrate on something next to it such as consumer psych, marketing, data analysis or accounting and information systems. Keep in mind that once you start in college you may change your major and study something completely different which is still ok :)
Bingxin’s Answer
I was like you when i was at your age. Here are some tips for you.
To overcome nervousness in interview:
Grasp every chance to get practice. 1) When you go to collage, you could apply to join multiple student associations. Some associations will have interviews to select members. Go use this chance to become bold. 2) You will have lots of opportunities speaking publicly in college, like doing presentations in the class, conducting a student event. Step out of your comfort zone and take more responsibilities. You should feel less nervous expressing yourself.
About what class to choose:
I studied consumer psychology in my master degree. It is a very interesting academic area. And you need to learn statistics, data analytics, etc. It depends on what interests you actually. In the meantime, I would suggest you read some relevant material before applying a course. Because the name of some course may interest you but the content may not.
Another suggestion for being a future business school students: do as much internships as you could. Internships make you understand how real business world is and let you find your interest/strength as well.
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