7 answers
Vianey
Student
Yakima, Washington
1
Question
Updated
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What are some career options if I want to major in business and when can I start taking action to pursue it ?
I am a 10th grader going to sophomore year and I'm not sure what career I would pursue.
I started getting interested in business and being a CEO of my own company but I have no idea of what I can do to start my own company. I also got interested in entrepreneurship because it seemed like it would suit me since it involves traveling a lot, which I personally love.
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7 answers
Erika Bailey
Consultant
2
Answers
Kansas City, Missouri
Updated
Erika’s Answer
A business administration degree is widely applicable to many business careers. You'll learn a range of business topics and develop skills that can translate to multiple fields. I would recommend narrowing your focus as much as possible so you can decide what product or service your own business will provide.
I also wasn't sure what specific business field I wanted to go into, so I started my undergrad on a general business admin track. I then used my electives to help me narrow my focus. As a freshman, I took classes like women's studies, statistics, and art history. I quickly learned that my interest was in finance and shifted my degree focus that direction. You can try something like that or maybe pick out a handful of possible career areas and reach out to people on LinkedIn (or check if your school counselor can connect you) to set up 1:1 time and get a glimpse into their career. Internships can also be a good way to better understand specific business areas.
I also wasn't sure what specific business field I wanted to go into, so I started my undergrad on a general business admin track. I then used my electives to help me narrow my focus. As a freshman, I took classes like women's studies, statistics, and art history. I quickly learned that my interest was in finance and shifted my degree focus that direction. You can try something like that or maybe pick out a handful of possible career areas and reach out to people on LinkedIn (or check if your school counselor can connect you) to set up 1:1 time and get a glimpse into their career. Internships can also be a good way to better understand specific business areas.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Vianey
Becky Haluska
Content Developer
57
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Becky’s Answer
A degree in business offers endless opportunities. Although being an entrepreneur does not require anything other than a good idea and an endless drive to do the work to make the idea a reality, focusing your bachelors degree on business administration will give you a great foundation to move forward with your dreams. Getting a BBA (Bachelors of Business Administration) offers general knowledge around all things needed to understand how businesses work to maintain profitability. The school you choose to go to may offer a minor in entrepreneurial studies as well. This would give you education in topics, skills and tools specific to being an entrepreneur. Optionally you could get a BBA and then focus your MBA (Masters of Business Administration) on entrepreneurial studies.
Best of luck in your pursuit of becoming an entrepreneur.
Best of luck in your pursuit of becoming an entrepreneur.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Vianey
Stephen Bradley
Consulting on technology and startups
8
Answers
Norwalk, Connecticut
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
You ask a few different questions above... I'm going to answer this part: " I have no idea of what I can do to start my own company."
Truth is you don't need ANY experience to start a business. The best experience you're going to get is the experience of starting a business... so get after it. When I was 8 years old, I had a street-side chewing gum stand (everyone else had lemonade stands... so I went for chewing gum - haha!). When I was 10, I made pressed-flower bookmarks with my mom, and then walked the neighborhood door-to-door selling them. When I was 12, I was into doing magic tricks and would get hired regularly to perform at children's birthday parties. Whatever your age, you have PLENTY of opportunities! It doesn't have to be your life's passion - just start something... anything... you'll like make a little money, but the experience you get will be valuable as you start your next one... and your next one after that!
No matter what kind of business you start, decide who your CORE customer is, and get to know them intimately. Start by defining a small, very specific type of customer. Talk to them. Understand what it is they NEED... BEFORE you start creating or even defining your "product" (or service). Even if YOU would be a core customer for your business - don't just listen to yourself. Find others. Ideally find potential customers who don't know you so well. They will give you the most honest feedback. Anyway, find them and spend a lot of time with them. Then, when you think you really understand what they need... start SMALL. Start by creating something very simple that addresses an important PART of their need. Don't try to address their whole problem at once! Often you can do this without having to make a big investment of your time or money (yet). Create something small and basic and show it your customer. Then listen to them carefully. Do they find it useful? Would they actually use it? What is the 1 or 2 most important things they would ask you to change or improve upon? They will tell you exactly what you need to do differently or to improve upon.
And, believe it or not, THAT is basically the whole process to getting launched. You just keep doing that over and over and over again: listening to your core customer, giving them a piece of a solution to react to, getting their direct feedback, making changes or improvements based on their feedback, and then starting with another cycle of the same process.
The reason it's good to start with a small, "core" audience is that it allows you to focus on solving one or two parts of a bigger problem - a small audience that all share the same problem will most likely give you consistent feedback you can easily build into the next pass of your solution. A large audience will give you TOO MUCH... and too different... feedback. It won't be so clear what's most important for you to improve next. In that case it's more likely you'll try to do a little bit to please everyone, and end up with a solution that doesn't really excite anyone. So start with a small, core audience and work through several passes to give them better-and-better versions that they can ultimately get really excited about. If you do that, they'll start paying you for it - and THAT is the point at which you have really started your business! Then you have a core set of passionate customers. From that strong base it is much easier to broaden your market, and expand your solution.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!
Truth is you don't need ANY experience to start a business. The best experience you're going to get is the experience of starting a business... so get after it. When I was 8 years old, I had a street-side chewing gum stand (everyone else had lemonade stands... so I went for chewing gum - haha!). When I was 10, I made pressed-flower bookmarks with my mom, and then walked the neighborhood door-to-door selling them. When I was 12, I was into doing magic tricks and would get hired regularly to perform at children's birthday parties. Whatever your age, you have PLENTY of opportunities! It doesn't have to be your life's passion - just start something... anything... you'll like make a little money, but the experience you get will be valuable as you start your next one... and your next one after that!
No matter what kind of business you start, decide who your CORE customer is, and get to know them intimately. Start by defining a small, very specific type of customer. Talk to them. Understand what it is they NEED... BEFORE you start creating or even defining your "product" (or service). Even if YOU would be a core customer for your business - don't just listen to yourself. Find others. Ideally find potential customers who don't know you so well. They will give you the most honest feedback. Anyway, find them and spend a lot of time with them. Then, when you think you really understand what they need... start SMALL. Start by creating something very simple that addresses an important PART of their need. Don't try to address their whole problem at once! Often you can do this without having to make a big investment of your time or money (yet). Create something small and basic and show it your customer. Then listen to them carefully. Do they find it useful? Would they actually use it? What is the 1 or 2 most important things they would ask you to change or improve upon? They will tell you exactly what you need to do differently or to improve upon.
And, believe it or not, THAT is basically the whole process to getting launched. You just keep doing that over and over and over again: listening to your core customer, giving them a piece of a solution to react to, getting their direct feedback, making changes or improvements based on their feedback, and then starting with another cycle of the same process.
The reason it's good to start with a small, "core" audience is that it allows you to focus on solving one or two parts of a bigger problem - a small audience that all share the same problem will most likely give you consistent feedback you can easily build into the next pass of your solution. A large audience will give you TOO MUCH... and too different... feedback. It won't be so clear what's most important for you to improve next. In that case it's more likely you'll try to do a little bit to please everyone, and end up with a solution that doesn't really excite anyone. So start with a small, core audience and work through several passes to give them better-and-better versions that they can ultimately get really excited about. If you do that, they'll start paying you for it - and THAT is the point at which you have really started your business! Then you have a core set of passionate customers. From that strong base it is much easier to broaden your market, and expand your solution.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your tips.
Vianey
Joseph-Shannon O'Hannigan
Business consulting
10
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Joseph-Shannon’s Answer
Business can be fun and rewarding! First, you probably need to learn a little more about yourself. Why? You mentioned three different things, and each one is pretty different. Business management (like being a CEO), Entrepreneurship, and Travel are three separate categories under the very big umbrella of "business." So what do you like most? Being wildly creative, and starting something? (That's the Entrepreneur's mindset). Being comfortable and capable in planning the path for an organization, in managing lots of different resources (including people)? (That's the CEO mindset). Travel can be a part of either of those professions. Or you can have a CEO or Entrepreneur job that involves zero travel.
How do you figure out whether your mindset, your preference, is for managing a structured organization or for creating something "from scratch?" There are assessment tools that can really help you decide (one of them is the Kirton Adaption and Innovation Index). And there is always the suggestion of "just try some things!" Try working in a structured environment. See if you like it. Try creating a business (or at least a plan for a business), from a blank sheet. Ask people for feedback. What do they think? What would they suggest that your strengths are?
Then, once you've decided "CEO or Entrepreneur" you can really do a "deeper dive" into that choice. And find a way to incorporate some travel.
One final thought: you really can do all three, at the same time. You can be the Entrepreneur who started a great organization, and now you are the CEO. And you can travel around, on behalf of that organization. But that combo is rare. So get to know yourself and your talents, first!
How do you figure out whether your mindset, your preference, is for managing a structured organization or for creating something "from scratch?" There are assessment tools that can really help you decide (one of them is the Kirton Adaption and Innovation Index). And there is always the suggestion of "just try some things!" Try working in a structured environment. See if you like it. Try creating a business (or at least a plan for a business), from a blank sheet. Ask people for feedback. What do they think? What would they suggest that your strengths are?
Then, once you've decided "CEO or Entrepreneur" you can really do a "deeper dive" into that choice. And find a way to incorporate some travel.
One final thought: you really can do all three, at the same time. You can be the Entrepreneur who started a great organization, and now you are the CEO. And you can travel around, on behalf of that organization. But that combo is rare. So get to know yourself and your talents, first!
Thank you so much for the advice and better understanding.
Vianey
Daniel Maynes
Credit Manager
188
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hi Vianey!
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Vianey
Joe L.
Program Manager
49
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Joe’s Answer
If your interest is in starting your own business as opposed to building a career as a professional in a larger corporation, then the amount of formal education needed may vary quite abit between those choices. Personally I don't think you need an MBA to be a CEO of our own company if you have a great idea and can pursue it directly with funding from 3rd parties or your own money initially. You do need basic education in a few things needed to get that funding..ie, business case preparation skills, knowledge of the market you want to serve, ability to communicate to others and motivate them to take interest in your idea or product. Those skills are largely obtained "on the job" and just a few college courses would be sufficient background for the technical skills needed. I personally would not spend college money pursuing a BBA...instead I would pursue a more technical degree such as engineering, data science, even a natural science, and then couple that with an MBA to complete the business side of your education. This combo is best if you want to keep your options open in case you want to work for a larger corp initially while you mature and further develop your own ideas for a business (and earn money to fund it)
Below are some links that might be interesting for you
https://boisestate.pressbooks.pub/typesofent/chapter/4-types-of-entrepreneurship/#:~:text=What%20Are%20the%204%20Types,large%20company%2C%20or%20social%20entrepreneurship.
https://www.shopify.com/blog/what-is-entrepreneurship
Hope this helps and good luck
Below are some links that might be interesting for you
https://boisestate.pressbooks.pub/typesofent/chapter/4-types-of-entrepreneurship/#:~:text=What%20Are%20the%204%20Types,large%20company%2C%20or%20social%20entrepreneurship.
https://www.shopify.com/blog/what-is-entrepreneurship
Hope this helps and good luck
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Vianey
Lisa Williams ACC, CPC, ELI-MP
Career Coach
5
Answers
Jericho, New York
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Congratulations for having a sense of where you want to focus your energy! The good news is that many high schools have elective programs focused in business. Some even have courses in entrepreneurship, so you can get started pre-college in forming your thinking a bit more. Having some of that preliminary coursework will start to propel you in a clearer direction. There are so many opportunities in business and some business owners have appreciated working for other companies first in order get some experience and knowledge under their belt.
There are many aspects to running a business and having some inside training and basic knowledge base on financials, supply (if there is a product) and demand, sourcing, inventory, sales, marketing, hiring and managing others, will be important skills and understanding to have.
The good news is that you can look for part-time jobs while in school to acquire some of that experience along the way. Every class or every job is an experience to get more clarity and learn more about what you enjoy and what gives you energy. Often being a business owner means you start out doing everything yourself. Understanding what aspects of the work you wish to hire someone and 'give away' versus continue to do on your own will also be important over time.
There are many aspects to running a business and having some inside training and basic knowledge base on financials, supply (if there is a product) and demand, sourcing, inventory, sales, marketing, hiring and managing others, will be important skills and understanding to have.
The good news is that you can look for part-time jobs while in school to acquire some of that experience along the way. Every class or every job is an experience to get more clarity and learn more about what you enjoy and what gives you energy. Often being a business owner means you start out doing everything yourself. Understanding what aspects of the work you wish to hire someone and 'give away' versus continue to do on your own will also be important over time.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Vianey