Area

Management 

• Entry-level/Management-trainee
• Supervision of employees and operations
• Project management

• Team management
• Information management
• Operations management

• Middle management
• Top management

Employers

Nearly every type of organization across industries offer management positions:

• Financial institutions
• Retail stores
• Restaurants
• Hotels

• Service providers
• Healthcare organizations
• Manufacturers
• Technology companies

• Educational institutions
• Local, state, and federal government
• Nonprofit organizations
• Self-employed

Strategies

• Be prepared to start in entry-level management trainee positions or corporate rotational training programs.
• Gain related experience through summer jobs, internships, and part-time jobs.
• Work at a retail store or restaurant, and advance into a team lead or assistant manager position.
• Get involved in student organizations and pursue leadership roles.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and a sense of independence.
• Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.
• Learn to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well on a team.
• Develop strong problem-solving skills.

Area

Sales

• Industrial sales
• Consumer product sales
• Financial services sales
• Services sales

• Advertising sales
• Corporate sales
• Manufacturer representation
• Direct consumer sales

• E-commerce
• Customer service
• Sales management:
• District, regional, and higher

Employers

• For-profit and nonprofit organizations
• Product and service organizations
• Manufacturers

• Financial companies
• Insurance companies

• Print and electronic media outlets
• Technology companies

Strategies

• Obtain experience through summer jobs, internships, and part-time jobs.
• Seek leadership positions in campus organizations.
• Work on campus in a sales position, such as selling advertisements for campus newspaper, directory, or radio station.
• Learn organization skills, how to work well under pressure, and how to work in a competitive environment.
• Be prepared to work independently and to be self- motivated. Plan to work irregular and long hours.
• Cultivate strong persuasion skills and learn to effectively communicate with a wide range of people through courses like interpersonal communication and public speaking.
• Develop a strong knowledge base of the product or service you will be/are selling.
• To deliver effective customer service, develop problem solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy. Become committed to customer satisfaction.
• Some positions in sales, such as pharmaceuticals or technical, require at least one to two years of a proven record in outside sales or specialized training. Be prepared to start in a different industry before getting into these areas.

Area

Insurance 

• Sales
• Claims
• Underwriting

• Risk management
• Asset management

• Loss control
• Customer service

Employers

• Insurance firms
• Insurance brokers

Strategies

• Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many entry-level positions exist in these areas.
• Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker.
• Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
• There are many certifications in the insurance industry.  Research those relevant to your area.

Area

Banking 

• Commercial banking
• Retail/Consumer banking
• Credit analysis

• Lending
• Trust services
• Mortgage loans

• Branch management
• Operations

Employers

• Banks
• Credit unions
• Savings and loan associations

• Financial services institutions
• Wholesale lenders

• Housing lenders
• Federal Reserve banks

Strategies

• Build a solid background in business including marketing and accounting.
• Seek experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in a bank.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.

Area

Real Estate 

• Brokerage/Sales
• Residential
• Commercial

• Office and industrial
• Farm and land
• Property management

• Appraising
• Land development

Employers

• Real estate brokers
• Banks
• Appraisal firms

• Apartment and condominium complexes
• Leasing offices

• Developers
• Large corporations: real estate departments

Strategies

• Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors. Every state requires a combination of real estate courses, passing an exam, and other criterion to gain a license.
• Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions.
• Develop an entrepreneurial spirit as nearly 60% of brokers and agents are self-employed.
• Be willing to work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules.
• Investigate apprenticeships in appraisal if that is an area of interest.

Area

Human Resource Management

• Recruiting/Staffing
• Compensation
• Benefits
• Training

• Safety
• Employee relations
• Industrial relations
• Organizational development

• Equal employment opportunity
• Employment law
• Consulting

Employers

• Large organizations in a variety of industries:
• Banks and financial institutions
• Retail stores
• Restaurants
• Hotels and other facilities
• Service providers
• Healthcare organizations
• Manufacturers
• Software and technology companies

• Educational institutions
• Temporary or staffing agencies
• Executive search firms
• Local, state, and federal government
• Labor unions
• Major nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Take courses in the social sciences such as psychology and sociology.
• Gain relevant experience through internships.
• Hone your verbal and written communication skills.
• Learn to solve problems creatively, and build strong conflict resolution skills.
• Develop good computer skills because many human resource systems are automated.
• Join the Society of Human Resource Management and other related professional associations.
• Be prepared for continuous learning once in the profession, and seek endorsements such as the Professional Human Resource Certification or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist.
• Earn a master’s degree for career advancement or a law degree for employment law.

General Information

• General business is a broad area that can lead to many career opportunities. Students should clearly define their goals and seek experiences and skills necessary to reach those goals.
• Gaining relevant experience through part-time and summer jobs or internships is critical.
• Learn about various fields of business through research on internet sites, informational interviews of professionals, and exposure to work environments through shadowing, volunteering, or interning.
• Develop interpersonal and organizational skills through participation in and leadership of student organizations. Strong communication skills, including public speaking, are also important to achieving success in this field.
• Learn to work effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well in a team environment.
• Get involved in student professional associations in field of interest.
• Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find an experienced mentor.
• Consider earning an MBA or other related graduate degree after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of business management.
• See also What Can I Do With This Major? for Management, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Logistics and Accounting for additional information.

Professional Associations

• American Association for Advertising Agencies
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• American Marketing Association
• APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society)
• Association for Financial Professionals
• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
• Manufacturers’ Agents National Association
• National Association for Business Economics
• National Association of Professional Insurance Agents
• National Association of Realtors
• Society for Human Resource Management

Occupational Outlook

• Accountants and Auditors
• Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Manager
• Economists
• Financial Managers
• Human Resources Managers
• Human Resources Specialists
• Insurance Sales Agents
• Loan Officers
• Market Research Analysts
• Purchasing Managers
• Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
• Sales Engineers
• Sales Manager
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Service Sales Agents
• Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

Related Resources

• Business and Finance Careers Information
• Logistics Bureau
• Entrepreneur
• Health Administrator
• Logistics Online
• MBA Programs Guide
• Official GMAT
• Small Business Association
• Staffing as a Career

Employment Opportunities

• Business Jobs on Indeed
• Careers in Real Estate – Account set-up required
• Insurance Jobs