Business Major or Minor? Which Works Best?
Since I became a college advisor there’s been quite a rush towards a business major or studies within business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing and operations/supply chain management. I totally get this: high school and transfer students see more potential towards employment after graduation from college. The demand and pressure to succeed have led students to stress out whether they start out in a business program or move into one later in their education.
High school students who are serious about studying business should gain some business experience or at least exposure to economics when they apply to college.
There are lots of ways to do this, including clubs, product blogs and investment challenges that cost little to no money. Part time jobs serving customers and managing small groups also help. So do volunteer activities. The keys are not only to be motivated, but also authentic. Admissions officers are getting better at spotting “passion projects” and falsehoods.
Large schools with a separate school of business are popular. Small schools have advantages, too.
I have advised students who went to small colleges as well as large ones. One hurdle with many programs at larger schools is that they use direct admission for freshmen. Schools such as NYU and the University of Michigan make it almost impossible to do an internal transfer into their business school. Others make it a little “easier,” setting minimum grades or grade point averages for transfer. Those who want to attend a large university unsure about studying business might need to start their education in the business school or find a school that offers more time to decide. This is part of my role as an admissions advisor.
I made a handout to help readers consider a large school versus a smaller school. In either case a prospective student should know. Contact me. I’ll be glad to send it to you.
How popular is business as a major or program?
For example, when I learned about the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, I learned that 30% of their undergraduate population was in the business school. But it was 10% at the University of Maryland-College Park In this case, Maryland treats business as a Limited Enrollment program, and sets higher admissions standards than expected for many other majors.
How does the school handle career services?
Smaller schools will use the same career development center for all majors, including business. This will work well when the services are more personalized towards undergrads, and the student has a second major or minor(s). As a software marketing executive serving college career development centers I saw that small schools helped better when the student had a very targeted job search. For example, a double major in business and mathematics might target banks and insurance companies that seek more quantitatively oriented students.
Larger schools that have their own business career center bring a little more to the table than larger schools that do not. Their staff focus only on the needs of business students and the employers who want to recruit them for jobs and internships. They organize their own workshops as well. Some, like Penn State, will even lend students a suit for interviews!
How is AI incorporated into the curriculum?
Business education is more and more likely to use AI in various courses including statistical and financial modeling, simulations in case studies, and tutorials in different subjects. However, students need to know the business principles within each course and discipline to be able to instruct an AI to do the proper analysis and provide a reliable report. An AI tool does not excuse a business student from having to acquire knowledge.
What are your options if you cannot get into a business program or find the major unappealing?
Having a business minor can provide a basic skillset if it is combined with a more serious interest. A theatre or music major with a business minor can find work on the business side of the performing arts. Political science and public policy majors can use a business minor to analyze and interpret budgets and impacts of policies upon regulated industries or beneficiaries.
I muse add, however, that a job search around combinations of majors and a business minor will lead to a targeted job search, versus reaching out to employers who might be visiting campus. A targeted search requires networking, sometimes frequently updated resumes and cover letters, and patience.
I made a handout that covers the plus es of a business major or minor that might be helpful. Contact me, and I’ll be glad to send it to you.
I’ve put up a lot of information as a starting point to help a prospective business major or mine make academic decisions and consider career paths. However, this is only a starting point. The real work begins when preparing applications to the best ft schools–and fit goes beyond the academics.
