Business is everywhere.
Just look around you. That shirt you’re wearing? Some people designed, financed, manufactured, and marketed it before you even put it on. That burger you’re eating? A different group produced and shipped the ingredients – with government regulating the entire process. The book or movie that changed your view on life? There was a careful strategy behind its development, messaging, and distribution.
Politics may separate winners from losers, but business determines how you live and the possibilities you enjoy. That means business touches every aspect of our lives, says Isabel Li, a 2025 Rutgers University graduate who majored in Marketing before entering the medical tech field.
“The biggest lesson I learned from studying business is its profound role in shaping consumer relationships, cultural norms, and everyday life. Marketing, in particular, reveals how businesses strategically define target audiences and craft messages that tap into social scripts, emotions, and desires. Beyond profitability, these efforts reflect and reinforce societal values, demonstrating the continuous influence businesses and society have on one another. Companies don’t just respond to cultural shifts – they help drive them, making their influence a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
STAY CURIOUS AND EMBRACE CHANGE
Shamarric Edwards, St. John’s (Tobin)
That influence is predicated on billions of individual connections. This summer, Shamarric Edwards, a graduate of St. John’s University’s Tobin College of Business, started his post-college career at Deutsche Bank, At its core, he observes business is a “relationship management exercise.” More than strategy and finance, he tells Poets&Quants, business success is based on “building and maintaining strong connections.”
“Along the way, I learned that challenges are inevitable—whether it is a dataset so messy even a regression model waves the white flag or an R-squared so low it might as well be a lucky guess,” he adds. “In these moments, the real test is not just problem-solving but recognizing when the best solution is seeking help from others. As Albert Einstein said, “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” In business, success often comes down to persistence and the willingness to adapt.”
Adapting comes from learning. As the Class of 2025 enters the workforce, Sam Wadlington advises graduates to continue learning every day so they can get out of their boxes and bring real value to their employers.
“The late Charlie Munger famously said, “I’ve never met anyone smart who doesn’t read a lot,” explains Wadlington, who made the Dean’s List every semester he was part of Purdue University’s Daniels School of Business. “This quote has profoundly influenced my approach to business education. With so much valuable knowledge available, I’ve found that nurturing my intellectual curiosity helps me absorb and retain information more effectively. One way I do this is by complementing in-class learning with relevant books, which provides a depth of understanding that lectures alone cannot replicate. Simply put, the more I read, the more curious I become—and the better I am at drawing connections between ideas.”
What were some of the other takeaways that business majors absorbed over the past four years? As part of its survey of its Best & Brightest Business Majors, P&Q asked top seniors to share the biggest lessons they gained in business school. From being proactive and taking risks to capitalizing on mentors and networks, here are 20 ways for business students to make the most of their business education.
1) Technical Skills Aren’t Enough: “Communication is just as critical. Whether presenting in case competitions, judging startup pitches, or speaking at events, I’ve seen firsthand how confidence in public speaking and the ability to tell a compelling story can transform raw data into real influence. Learning to make numbers mean something to your audience can make a world of difference.”
Jasper Lee, Alliance Manchester
2) Ask Questions and Maintain a Curious Mindset: “In any professional setting, especially when starting out, actively seeking knowledge and embracing continuous learning are essential for growth. By asking the right questions and engaging with mentors, peers, and industry trends, you gain deeper insights and develop the skills necessary to adapt and excel. The more you learn, the better equipped you are to take on new challenges and confidently grow into the role you aspire to achieve.”
Adam Bandler, Binghamton University
Marley Gomez-Olivas, University of Texas (McCombs)
During my internship experience in consulting, I distinctly remember being surprised at seeing the firm’s partners, who’d been working in the industry for decades, taking the time to take the role of students. They would diligently ask questions when workshops would be offered or new topics arose. In those moments, I came to realize the sheer importance of preserving one’s hunger for knowledge and willingness to change perspective, even after accumulating such years of expertise. Just like the business landscape is ever-changing, we, too, must be willing to evolve alongside it.
Marley Gomez-Olivas, University of Texas (McCombs)
“For me, business is about relying on your team, asking the right questions, and being fearless when confronting ambiguity. It’s not about having all the answers, but about navigating the unknown with the confidence to adjust along the way. Trusting your colleagues and peers can turn uncertainty into opportunity, and business has definitely shown me how essential that is.”
Jack Wang, Boston University (Questrom)
3) Success Is Measured by Impact: “It’s not just about climbing the corporate ladder or securing prestigious titles—it’s about giving back to the communities that shaped you. At UW-Madison, I’ve seen alumni dedicate their time, resources, and mentorship to students who are now walking the path they once did. That sense of responsibility and community is what makes a lasting difference. Success isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about using what you’ve gained to uplift those who come after you. Whether it’s mentoring younger students, opening doors for those who might not have the same access, or creating opportunities for the next generation, legacy is built through service.”
Hali Jama, University of Wisconsin
4) Focus on the Big Picture: “The most important lesson I have learned from studying business aligns with Mendoza’s slogan: “Grow the Good in Business.” But what does this truly mean? It suggests that business is inherently good, and its impact depends on how we cultivate it. When we apply the principles we hold most dear, champion initiatives that matter, and extend opportunities with generosity and integrity, we shape an economy that serves all. A true business leader is not only decisive and technically skilled, but also ethical, compassionate, and committed to something greater than themselves. The greatest impact in business comes from those who can seamlessly blend strategy with morality, ambition with empathy, and success with responsibility. Whether working with communities, corporations, or the environment, leadership is about ensuring that every transaction contributes to a more just, sustainable, and thriving world.”
Mark Metryoos, Notre Dame (Mendoza)
“The biggest lesson I’ve gained from studying business is that it is not just about profits or corporate strategy—it is about understanding how the world works. My journey to finance as a major was everything but straightforward. I began as a math major, explored marketing, then management, and finally finance. This journey allowed me to realize that business, in its entirety, is the foundation of society.
What seemed like an indecisive path revealed a key insight: business is everywhere. It is the psychology of consumer behavior (marketing), the art of leadership and decision-making (management), the structuring of economic systems (accounting, economics, finance), and the legal and ethical frameworks that shape industries. It is a discipline that interconnects history, sociology, psychology, mathematics, and even philosophy. Understanding business means understanding people, societies, and the forces that shape our daily lives. This understanding solidified my passion for business, and more importantly, it revealed that business isn’t just a major—it is a way to view and engage with the world.”
Sydney Anne Drysdale Fairbairn, University of Denver (Daniels)
Arushi Ranasaria, Washington University (Olin)
5) Read Beyond the Classroom: “One of the most important skills when studying business is staying informed. Staying knowledgeable on current events to understand how they impact market dynamics and investment strategies helps business students develop a more dynamic and analytical mindset. But it’s not just about business news—it’s about grasping how different industries operate.
My experiences in finance have reinforced this perspective; in investing, for example, the impact of geopolitical events and regulatory changes are necessary underwriting considerations. In the context of climate finance and renewable energy, understanding the impact of policy and the discourse surrounding sustainability can help someone contextualize changes to different business models. Recognizing these connections has shaped the way I approach business problems, and I am incredibly grateful to Olin for emphasizing the importance of staying informed from the moment I stepped into my first business course.”
Arushi Ranasaria, Washington University (Olin)
6) Take Advantage of Mentoring: “Whether it’s helping decide which classes to take, running mock interviews, or gaining advice on navigating the first day of work, I’ve been lucky enough to take advantage of many mentors in my time at WashU. Developing relationships with people more experienced than you not only provides a roadmap for where you want your career to end up, but it also allows you to avoid the hazards along the way. The ability to learn from their mistakes can save immense amounts of lost time which in turn can minimize unneeded stress.”
Finn Feldeisen, Washington University (Olin)
7) Embrace Teamwork: “You could be the most capable person in the room with all the technical skills and knowledge, but that doesn’t necessarily make you the most sought-after teammate. In business, you rarely work alone – success often depends on collaboration, and your attitude and interpersonal skills can impact not just team performance but also team dynamics. This is why soft skills are just as important, if not more so, than technical ones. Of course, technical skills matter, but the ability to communicate, adapt, and work well with others can really set someone apart.”
Chloe He, Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
8) Learn to Tell a Story: “Before studying business, I felt naturally inclined to be a storyteller. Through studying business that inclination has proved to be one of my greatest strengths. After starting at USC Marshall, I quickly realized that every business decision relies on the narrative of numbers. It’s not enough to have the right data, whether it’s equity analysis, historical cash flows, or marketing engagement metrics. Instead, you must also give those numbers meaning. Knowing how to shape a compelling narrative around data is the key to making your point resonate and drive impactful decisions.”
Wednesday Satterlee, USC (Marshall)
