Business

Are you drawn to solving problems, leading teams, and understanding how organizations succeed? Do you find yourself curious about markets, strategy, and what makes companies thrive? If you're interested in how the world of commerce works—and want to shape it—a major in business might be the perfect fit.

What Is a Business Major?

Business is the study of how organizations create, deliver, and capture value—whether they're Fortune 500 corporations, scrappy startups, or nonprofit organizations. It blends economics, psychology, data analysis, and communication to prepare students for leadership roles across virtually every industry. Today, business skills are in demand not just in traditional corporate settings, but also in healthcare, tech, entertainment, and social enterprise.

What You'll Study as a Business Major

Most business programs begin with a core curriculum that covers the fundamentals. Coursework typically includes:

• Accounting

• Economics (micro and macro)

• Finance

• Marketing

• Management and organizational behavior

• Statistics and data analysis

As students progress, they choose a concentration such as:

• Finance

• Marketing

• Accounting

• Entrepreneurship

• Supply chain and operations

• Business analytics

• International business

These courses develop not only technical knowledge but also critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.

High school tip: Students considering this path should build a strong foundation in math—especially statistics and calculus—and look for opportunities to develop communication and teamwork skills through clubs, jobs, or extracurriculars.

Internships Are the Heart of Business

Unlike some majors, business education is built on real-world experience. You'll be encouraged—and often required—to complete internships that let you apply classroom concepts in actual companies. Internships aren't just resume builders—they're how you figure out what kind of work energizes you and start building a professional network.

Career Paths in Business

Business is one of the most versatile majors, opening doors to a wide range of careers right after graduation:

• Financial analyst

• Marketing manager

• Management consultant

• Accountant or auditor

• Sales manager

• Human resources specialist

• Operations or supply chain manager

• Product manager

• Entrepreneur/founder

• Investment banking analyst

Many graduates also use business as a foundation for law school, MBA programs, or careers in public policy and nonprofit leadership.

Why Business Matters

Business isn't just about profits—it's about solving real problems. In healthcare, business skills help hospitals run efficiently and startups bring new treatments to market. In sustainability, companies need leaders who can balance growth with environmental responsibility. In communities, nonprofits and social enterprises rely on business fundamentals to maximize their impact. Each of these areas is growing, making business one of the most practical and flexible majors available.

How to Choose a Strong Business Program

When researching colleges, start by looking at internship and career connections—does the school have strong relationships with employers, dedicated career centers, and active alumni networks in industries that interest you? Consider whether there are opportunities for hands-on learning through case competitions, consulting projects, or student-run ventures.

If you already know you're interested in finance, entrepreneurship, or data analytics, seek schools that offer depth in those areas. Pay attention to program structure, too: some schools admit students directly to the business school as freshmen (like Wharton, Babson, or Indiana Kelley's direct admit program), while others require students to apply after freshman or sophomore year. And if you're interested in working across borders, l

ook for study abroad options, international business tracks, or global consulting projects.

Schools Worth Knowing

• University of Pennsylvania (Wharton): Currently tied for #1 nationally with MIT Sloan; known for finance and entrepreneurship

• Babson College: #1 for entrepreneurship for 29 consecutive years; the entire curriculum is built around it

• Indiana University (Kelley): Strong across the board with excellent career placement and a direct admit program for high schoolers

• University of Michigan (Ross): Emphasizes action-based learning where students work on real business problems from year one

• University of Texas at Austin (McCombs): Top-tier accounting program (#2 nationally) with deep Texas business connections

• Michigan State (Broad): #1 nationally for supply chain management for 14 consecutive years

• Carnegie Mellon (Tepper): Integrates business with technology and data science

• NYU (Stern): Strong finance programs with direct access to Wall Street

  
  

Is Business Right for You?

If you're someone who likes to organize, lead, analyze, and communicate—and you want a degree that keeps your options open—business might be your academic home. Whether you're driven by the thrill of startups, the structure of corporate strategy, or the challenge of making organizations work better, business offers endless possibilities for a purposeful career.