| DECISIONS...DECISIONS...DECISIONS... | | | | Professional), or CPM (Certified Project Manager) are |
| Students frequently have difficulty in selecting a | | | | all professional credentials which assure a standard of |
| career path. Should they major in Law, Criminal | | | | knowledge and competence. Each of these |
| Justice, Nursing, the Sciences or the Social Sciences | | | | designations has separate requirements for education |
| Selecting a Major course of study is not an easy task | | | | and experience. |
| for anyone, let alone a teen-ager or | | | | THE CASE FOR BUSINESS |
| twenty-something year old. | | | | Business is one of the broadest fields and traditionally |
| Of course experts say the first step is to do an | | | | one of the most highly compensated. For four-year |
| examination of yourself. What are your interests and | | | | college graduates it typically ranks in the "top ten" |
| abilities? What do you like to do and what are you | | | | most profitable majors. (National Association of |
| good at? What are your strengths and weaknesses, | | | | Colleges and Employers). The U.S.. Department of |
| and what would excite you? What career would | | | | Labor statistics also report favorable earnings results |
| appeal to you? | | | | for business graduates. As a broad field (as opposed |
| THE SWOT ANALYSIS | | | | to specialized career or job training) there are a wide |
| One of the common business tools is the SWOT | | | | range of employment opportunities in the private |
| analysis. The SWOT model is designed to help you | | | | sector, public sector and non-profits. And, since the |
| organize and categorize. This technique is useful in | | | | business world is highly competitive, those equipped |
| making decisions, formulating strategies, and | | | | with some business knowledge and credentials are at |
| adaptable to the process of deciding upon a field of | | | | an advantage. |
| study. | | | | Business can also be exciting. The competitive |
| The "S" stands for STRENGTHS, the "W" for | | | | environment, the challenge of marketing and selling |
| WEAKNESSES, the "O" for OPPORTUNITIES, and the | | | | goods or services, the successful conclusion of a deal |
| "T" for THREATS. Strengths and weaknesses are | | | | or project, negotiations, and making profits can |
| internal (within you, in this case) and opportunities and | | | | produce an adrenaline "rush." |
| threats are external (in the environment). | | | | If you want to be an entrepreneur and start your |
| Start by identifying and listing your strengths, and | | | | own business, or if you wish to be a corporate |
| don't underestimate yourself. Then, list your | | | | manager, the investment in studying business |
| weaknesses, and be brutally honest. After that, | | | | administration is good preparation. Whether you begin |
| decide on what the opportunities are in a particular | | | | with a Associate's Degree, attain a Bachelor's in |
| field, such as: management positions, potential for | | | | Business, or complete your MBA, your business |
| advancement, plenty of potential jobs, good levels of | | | | education should pay you personally and |
| compensation, a wide range of career paths, etc. | | | | professionally. Everyone makes buy or rent decisions, |
| Finally, determine the threats which may include | | | | struggles with investments or taxes, and faces |
| business down-turns, technological obsolescence, | | | | motivational or organizational challenges where a |
| management cutbacks, out-sourcing or off-shoring, | | | | business background /education would be valuable. |
| etc. | | | | Candidates with a business background and education |
| The strengths required for business generally include: | | | | are frequently sought after by employers, regardless |
| strong communications skills, good analytical ability, | | | | of the field. One of the "hottest" combos is to have |
| decision-making capabilities and some facility with | | | | a professional license along with a business degree. |
| facts and numbers. If you're strong in these areas | | | | For example: R.N./MBA's are in high demand. |
| you may want to consider a business major and | | | | Employers recognize that having employees who |
| career. | | | | speak the "language" of business and understand |
| THE BUSINESS CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL | | | | business concepts and techniques will facilitate |
| CREDENTIALS | | | | training, increase productivity, help in providing focus |
| Business degree programs typically include courses in | | | | on organization priorities and contribute to the |
| management, finance, accounting, and computer | | | | "bottom line." Sharp employees with business |
| applications. Courses in Strategic Planning, | | | | acumen, in fact, give employers that "competitive |
| Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management, Project | | | | edge." |
| Management, Customer Service and International | | | | WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE? |
| Business are also important. Since communication and | | | | Examine some programs and schools pick a program |
| planning are so crucial, pay particular attention to | | | | that meets your needs, challenges you, and feels |
| programs that offer courses in written | | | | comfortable. You will need to spend lots of time, |
| communications, business communications, or have | | | | effort and energy to succeed, so make sure you're |
| English Composition components. | | | | up to the commitment. |
| Students interested in specialized areas of study | | | | Business is a great field! Career options are practically |
| should aim for Certification and/or licensure at some | | | | unlimited and income potential is excellent. It's an |
| point. Designations such as CPA (Certified Public | | | | exciting area of study with practical application to |
| Accountant), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), RFC | | | | anyone's professional life. It's really up to you. |
| (Registered Financial Consultant), CMA (Certified | | | | Copyright ©, 2008, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. |
| Management Accountant), CSP (Certified Systems | | | | |