‘Remember that, ultimately, you should be happy with the career you choose and the path you follow,’ says Marley Davis-Martin of University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler).
6) DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
“Follow your own path because what works for one person may not work for others. For example, if one person has a summer internship between their freshman and sophomore year, but you don’t, that is okay! Comparing yourself to others will only cause unnecessary distress. There are other ways to build yourself in productive ways such as involvement in student organizations, or attending professional development workshops and events. You will still succeed, as long as you continue to learn and grow in other areas!” – Carolyn Zedalis, University of Pittsburgh
“Focus on your own goals. It can be easy to get caught up in what everyone else is achieving and wanting a certain level of prestige. But remember that, ultimately, you should be happy with the career you choose and the path you follow. Focus less on how it appears to others and more on how much it appeals to you.” – Marley Davis-Martin, University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
7) PAIR YOUR MAJOR WITH ANOTHER FIELD OF INTEREST
‘Pairing a major like marketing with one like business analytics can pay huge dividends down the road,’ says Justin Hier of University of Miami (Herbert).
“Consider pairing your major with another field of interest within the business world. Most sectors of business intertwine. Business technology is increasingly used in finance. Marketing executives increasingly apply business analytics.
“Pairing a major like marketing with one like business analytics can pay huge dividends down the road. Even my legal studies and marketing majors have complemented each other in that my marketing major helped me develop a creative thinking toolkit, while my legal studies major helped me develop my logical reasoning and comprehension skills. These different types of thinking have allowed me to attack problems in ways that I otherwise wouldn’t know how to do.” – Justin Hier, University of Miami (Herbert)
8) WORK FOR A STARTUP
“I strongly believe that every business student should have at least one experience working for a startup. I have been fortunate enough to have multiple internships with startups in the St. Louis area, one of which led to my full-time position after graduation.
“Through these roles, I have learned to wear many hats, take initiative, and adapt in every sense of the word. So many business skills require you to make the best decision given limited time and resources. In my opinion, there is no better place to learn those skills than in a startup environment.” – Gabi Marcus, Washington University (Olin)
9) BE ADAPTABLE
“A report by Dell Technologies shows that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet. More than likely, you will fall under this category. Business and employee roles are constantly evolving. Learn to be an adaptable employee with an open mind and continually learn new skills. Don’t just focus all your energy on one subject matter that you’re good at, and don’t shy away from internships that aren’t in your major. Companies are looking for employees that have a wide range of skill sets, including good communication. Market yourself as a ‘Rising star;’ someone who can be trained into any position within a company.” – Greg Fulling, Marian University (Byrum)
Natalie He of Wake Forest University says to always stay curious and keep learning.
“My advice is to always stay curious and keep learning; this trains us to become more flexible, adaptable, and resilient after entering the work field. Sometimes when a sudden issue arises, think of it as an opportunity to grow. The world we live in, especially the business-related industry, is constantly changing. Thus, embracing the unknown with an open mind would help us become confident to handle any type of situation.” – Natalie He, Wake Forest University
10) DEVELOP A GLOBAL MINDSET
“The ability to remain curious, flexible, and respectful when communicating and transacting with others is vital in today’s dynamic world. Business etiquette and social standards vary greatly from one country to the next, and the technological advances of the modern time will not exclude anyone from global connections.
“No matter what specific field they choose to enter, if students remain curious in new environments, they will benefit greatly. Studying the business environment in India during my sophomore year, and recently working within the healthcare industry of Nigeria, I have experienced a tremendous amount of growth that I can attribute only to expanding my knowledge of the vast world around me.” – Sarah Sriram, Texas A&M University (Mays)
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