Do you have entrepreneurial aspirations? Do you have a flair for economics and accounting? Have you ever wanted to know how a company actually works? If so, you should research business as a possible college major. Business majors study the buying/selling/producing of goods, along with the organization and accounting, in order to apply these basic principles in different workplaces.
Education
According to the College Board, business degrees are offered at the associate’s and bachelor’s levels. High school classes like computer applications, accounting, speech and AP Microeconomics will prepare you for the college program. Typical courses for business majors include business communications, business law, economics, and principles of marketing.
What to know before you apply
Before you set your heart on a certain college or program, find out whether the business department will be preparing you for the workplace or for further education. That means you should have an idea of whether you want to go on to business school or not. Also, ask professors you meet whether they are or have been active in the business community. Their work experience could bolster yours. Finally, find out whether an internship or co-op is required or not. The more hands-on experience you have, the better your resumé will be.
Salary
A business education will prepare you for positions in market and survey research, public relations (PR), and human resources (HR). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, market researchers earned an average salary of $67,130 per year, while survey researchers earned $47,740. PR specialists earned an average salary of $60,400 each year in 2011, while HR assistants earned $38,330.
Colleges offering this field of study
• Mohawk Valley CC: Utica, N.Y.
• Springfield College: Springfield, Mass.
• Richmond, the American International Univ in London: Richmond, United Kingdom
• Centenary College: Hackettstown, N.J.
• SUNY Potsdam: Potsdam, N.Y.
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