As a freshman, Claire Kim came to the University of Miami with a plan. She intended to work in marketing and brand management after studying at the Herbert Business School. Like all plans, they are subject to new information and evolving conditions.
In Kim’s case, she discovered analytics and finance. That led her to pinball from consulting and banking. Now a wealth management rotational analyst at Citi, Kim would still encourage future business majors to start college with a plan – but be open and flexible enough to deviate from it.
“There can be a stigma in business that everyone knows what their plan is and early on you will have a strong idea of what career is best for you,” she tells P&Q. “Today, I know that exploring various interests and opportunities helps to create a well-rounded business professional and that being open to learning promotes growth. Sometimes, the non-linear path helps to show your strengths and accept your weakness.”
“EVERYTHING IS TAXABLE, NOTHING IS DEDUCTIBLE”
Ruben Garcia, University of MIchigan (Ross)
At the College of William & Mary’s Mason School, Matthew Hovelsrud, an accounting major and Ernst & Young hire, absorbed a different lesson. The world is VUCA – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. Hence, business graduates will start their careers having to work harder than ever…and where nothing is guaranteed.
“Nothing is as straightforward as textbooks sometimes suggest,” Hovelsrud explains. “The world is nuanced, and it is vital to apply a multitude of perspectives, backgrounds, and areas of expertise to thoroughly understand concepts and issues that arise.”
Ruben Garcia builds on that observation with a pessimistic take on the tax code: “Everything is taxable, nothing is deductible.” By that, Garcia means life may be “unfair and difficult” – but business majors have the tools to take action and make a difference.
“Things will not go your way, and you will get knocked down more times than you can count,” write the 2024 graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross School. “This is true of any path of life. As a businessperson and a leader, we have the unique opportunity to do something about it. We have an opportunity to influence and improve aspects of other people’s lives that many people a century ago could only dream of. Never before have so many people been able to participate in the progression of humanity as a whole. It is infinitely important not to let that opportunity go to waste.”
Garcia is just of the hundred graduates that P&Q surveyed as part of its annual “Best & Brightest Business Majors” story. As part of the nomination process, P&Q asked 2024 grads to share the biggest lessons they learned from studying business. From embracing a rebel spirit to asking the right questions, here are the strategies that the Class of 2024 felt led to the greatest chances for success.
1) Don’t Compare Yourself To Other Students: “Coming into School of Management as a second semester sophomore, I began to compare myself to others. I thought I was “behind” and I thought I would never be able to “catch up” to my fellow peers. I never thought I would be able to achieve the success of my fellow peers. Once I stopped comparing myself to others, I was able to see everyone is on their own SOM journey. All students are on different paths, and it takes each person a different way to get to the spot they need to be. I find we tend to compare ourselves to others, but it is best not to since it holds us back.”
Emma Spotto, Binghamton University
2) Business Is Not All Common Sense: “There are many concepts that are very analytical, and it takes a great deal of thinking. It is not all just numbers and making decisions. I found this out the hard way when I did not study as hard for a marketing exam. It is important to study and work hard. Even though it may seem ‘easy’ on the surface, you will need to decipher the right answer when putting it into a scenario.”
Emma Spotto, Binghamton University
Emily Ren, Indiana University (Kelley)
3) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help: “Growing up, I was not one to reach out to others for advice or help and often tried to look for solutions on my own. When I started college during the pandemic, spending my entire freshman year stranded at home, I quickly realized the detrimental impact of my reluctance to seek help combined with my isolation from peers. I recall being lost on which clubs to join, which majors to investigate, and even which classes to take. It was not until I actively joined many of Kelley’s intentional mentorship programs and clubs that I began to recognize how beneficial it was to tap into the perspectives of my peers. Asking for help became more natural for me, enabling me to seek out mentors who cared about my development. This shift not only helped me address lingering questions about the present, but also instilled confidence in my future, as I know I have a supportive network and access to resources to be resilient.”
Emily Ren, Indiana University (Kelley)
“In my management classes, I’ve learned a lot about business culture, and the chains of leadership responsibilities. It is so important to rely on your coworkers and managers to help you succeed, especially when you need assistance completing a project or finding more information. Asking for help is scary, but thankfully people are often very willing to help if you are just willing to ask. My classes also taught me how to work with people who have a variety of work styles through all the group work and group projects. I learned that collaboration is key!”
Alanna Jones, University of Denver (Daniels)
4) Soft Skills Are Indispensable: “While technical expertise is undeniably essential, I realized that developing leadership skills, nurturing relationships, and mastering effective communication are equally important. Questrom has helped me hone these skills through several classes that initially seemed unnecessary until I had to work with a team over an entire semester on a comprehensive business plan. Effectively motivating teammates, delegating tasks, resolving conflicts, and collaborating efficiently play a huge role in success.
Atharva Mhatre, Boston University (Questrom)
James Collett, New York University (Stern)
5) Be A Rebel: Become A Leader: “Far fewer people than you would expect are willing to take up the responsibility of leadership. With leadership comes responsibility for making decisions and holding oneself accountable for the consequences of those decisions. I’ve found that most people would like to see themselves as leaders, because they find the positive aspects of leadership appealing. However, not so many appreciate the more difficult aspects of leadership. Studying business at NYU has taught me that being a good leader isn’t as much about being individually correct as it is about being individually accountable.”
James Collett, New York University (Stern)
6) You Can Learn Something From Everyone: “The biggest lesson I learned from studying business is how important it is to work with others and build connections. When I collaborated with different people, I got to hear new ideas and learn about various ways of thinking. Every new person I met was a chance for me to see things differently, learn something new, or get a fresh perspective. I truly believe that working together as a team makes us all stronger than if we were each working alone.”
Breanna Schneider, University of Wisconsin
7) Continue Learning Or Start Dying: “The biggest lesson gained from studying business is the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the ever-changing world. The business world is dynamic, with different markets, constant technological improvements, and evolving consumer behaviors. Successful professionals and companies are those that can quickly adapt to changes, anticipate future trends, and continuously improve their skills and strategies to stay competitive. I have learned the need to be flexible, open to new ideas, and be committed to lifelong learning to navigate the complex business landscape effectively.”
Yiyang Fu, Miami University (Farmer) – CONFIRM
8) Expediency Should Never Compromise Your Integrity: “Expediency might off short-term gains, but it’s the steadfast commitment to ethical practices that ensures long-term success and a reputation that stands the test of time. This principle is not just a moral compass but a strategic advantage in the complex and dynamic world of business.”
Jane Wiesner, Loyola Marymount University
9) Your Network Is Your Net Worth: “Studying business has taught me the power of building genuine connections. Whether with professors, staff, recruiters, or peers, I have found value in learning from everyone, as no one person has all the answers. Knowing whom to ask for information is valuable, and choosing whom to turn to is determined by developing connections with a wide variety of individuals. I have learned the importance of knowing what I don’t know and relying on those who I have developed connections with for support.”
Amanda Hubert , Purdue University (Daniels)
Paige Parsons, University of Richmond (Robins)
10) Focus On The Controllables: “The uncontrollable things in the business world are endless, but the one thing you can control is your mindset and the way you treat others. Professionalism, resilience, optimism, and empathy are truly the intangible factors that will yield you great success and help you stand out amongst any competitor.”
Paige Parsons, University of Richmond (Robins)
11) The Most Valuable Tool Is A Question: “Beyond just requesting clarification and demonstrating interest, good questions demand critical thinking and foster relationship building. Crafting a meaningful question requires analyzing information, identifying gaps in understanding, and formulating a relevant query. And posing an insightful question embodies a willingness to learn, a recognition of potential growth, and a desire to collaborate. All these qualities are valuable in the professional realm and will be seen positively.”
Mohan Desai, Southern Methodist University (Cox)
12) Perseverance And Determination Are Difference-Makers: “I ran competitively for seven years before coming to SMU, and there were many correlations between the sport and the world of business. I found that success, both in the sport and in business, often requires a combination of hard work, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of your goals. It is an ambitious and persistent personality that often influences you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. As I am training for a half marathon and will begin a full-time job soon, I am reminded of these things. This lesson has helped me conquer challenges, take advantage of opportunities, and eventually accomplish goals in business and beyond.”
Lydia Garrett, Southern Methodist University (Cox)
13) The Best Solution Can Sometimes Be The Simplest One: “Sometimes, I overanalyze a problem or assignment when the answer is right in front of me. Businesses don’t need to be super complex to be successful. If it’s too difficult to explain, then you’re likely making it unnecessarily difficult.”
KJ Malone, University of Tennessee (Haslam)
14) Your Intangibles Are Invaluable: “In all my courses, I have been instructed in the technical requirements necessary to succeed in a business career. However, I feel as though the biggest lesson I have learned has come from reading between the lines of the material: the most valuable asset to a company is you, and your unique way of thinking. I have particularly noticed this to be true in my consulting recruiting preparation, as well as in my marketing courses. The problems we are presented with in the two disciplines rarely, if ever, require a black-and-white answer. Instead, they lend themselves to creativity in the gray space. While it is valuable to learn the tangible skills, what sets you apart is the individual perspective you bring to problem solving. In much of business, there is no “right answer”. Instead, it is a collaborative effort amongst individuals, who all think differently, that yields the most fruitful results. Additionally, the collaboration leaves each individual better than they were prior to the team coming together, having learned to appreciate the unique ways of thinking that dominate the team as well. As such, I will leave TCU with a love for learning and a genuine curiosity about how to better the world around me.”
Lauren Grace Perry, Texas Christian University (Neeley)
15) There Is (Almost) Never One Right Answer: “The problems I was challenged with in-and-out of the classroom often had many alternatives that had significant benefits and disadvantages. I learned that it is important to collect as much information as possible and try to connect the dots. At the same time, I learned to not let analysis paralysis stop you from making a decision when it is crucial to act. More importantly, I learned the necessity of debating ideas with people who have diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which mitigates bias and encourages the best solution to prevail.”
Alfonso Aguilar Vazquez, USC (Marshall)
Yoelle Gulko, Washington University (Olin)
16) Your Personal Brand Is Your Biggest Investment: “Especially as an artist, crafting exactly who you are and what you do in a digestible, tangible and trackable way allows other people to invest in you. This is a lesson I learned from Professor Staci Thomas, who was highly supportive and inspired me to create a website for my portfolio of film projects and reflect on what I seek to represent.”
Yoelle Gulko, Washington University (Olin)
17) Walk The Walk: “Companies, teams, and individuals are constantly making commitments – these can range from broad mission statements to a deliverable date for a client. In all my business classes, there has always been a case study involving a failure because of an inability to fulfill a commitment. A company’s mission statement makes a faithful promise to ESG, and then produces a record-breaking level of pollution. A poorly-managed team over-promises to a client, and then fails to provide deliverables on time and of high quality. In the cases where these entities fulfill their commitments, where they “walk the walk”, their success is phenomenal. They not only profit, but stakeholder’s perceptions of them are positive – long-term loyalty and respect is generated. These entities grow and can promote positive and enduring change. The value of “walking the walk” is truly immense and is something the Wake Forest School of Business has consistently reminded me to follow. As a student, leader, friend, family member, I abide by my commitments, aiming to set both myself and others up for positive change and success.”
Jeannine Lynch , Wake Forest University
18) Who You Decide To Surround Yourself With Is The Most Important Decision You’ll Make: “From seemingly low-stakes scenarios like picking groupmates for a class project to decisions that affect your life’s path, such as choosing your friends or employer, the people around you have a huge impact on your happiness and success. With each business course I took and each internship I had, I was extremely mindful about connecting with people along the way and putting effort into keeping them in my life. Business is very people-oriented, and it’s important to understand the positive influence that good peers, mentors and friends have!”
Jeanette Smith, Washington University (Smith)
19) Understand What Recruiters Want From You: “Beyond just being book or technical smart, they want to find some who can be personable. A majority of HR recruiters, when they are trying to find the right fit in interviews, will sit through 100 interviews where the candidates had nothing to say but their smarts. Although strong knowledge is a necessity, I found an almost 100% success rate for offers whenever I was able to find common ground with the recruiter through mutual interests or even just smiling and getting them to laugh.”
Karenina Urquieta, University of Houston (Bauer)
20) Build, Measure, Modify: “Sometimes in business we get stuck in an analysis loop and need to just take action and start by building something, measuring the success of it and eventually modifying it. This systematic loop allows for businesses to swiftly test their hypotheses, validate some assumptions, and learn from real world feedback, allowing you to continuously adapt the product or service.”
Alim Maknojia, University of Houston (Bauer)
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