Best Advice For Business Majors

8) Create Your Own Definition of Success: “I do what I love, even if it is not aligned with the typical definition of success for a business student. I don’t work in banking or consulting, and most of my extracurriculars are unrelated to business. But I engage in my interests like policy, advocacy, writing, and teaching – and I have the opportunity to make the world a better place. I plan to work in investment management, but first I’m doing an English-teaching program in a Spanish-speaking nation. Success doesn’t look the same for everyone. When most people think of a successful business student, they may think of someone who works in high finance. But if I only acted based on others’ views of what I should be, I would not be as successful as I am today. Do what you want to do. Listen to wise counsel, but don’t do things only because others have done them, or because others are pushing certain expectations onto you. Success is up to you to define.”
Rachel Labi, Purdue Unilversity (Daniels)

9) Develop the Right Habits: “Think beyond the classroom. In college, it is easy to get caught up in chasing high grades, but success is not just about maintaining a strong GPA. The real value of your education lies in the skills you develop that make you more competitive in the workplace. Beyond academics, college is also about building strong habits. Once you graduate, you will not remember every detail from your classes, but the skills you develop—meeting deadlines, taking clear notes, communicating effectively, delivering strong presentations, and collaborating with others—will stay with you. These are the real assets that will set you apart and help you succeed in your career.”
Shamarric Edwards, St. John’s (Tobin)

10) Seek Opportunities and Say Yes: “The value of your business degree is directly related to your campus involvement, leadership experience, and work experience. Join clubs, talk to professors about their research – figure out what interests you and do something with it. So, if there’s a chance for you to stretch yourself by taking on a leadership position in a club, starting something new, or moving somewhere you’ve never been for an internship… do it, even if you’re uncomfortable for a little bit.  The most pivotal moments of growth for me happened when I said “yes” to opportunities that seemed terrifying!”
Isabelle Layding, University of Pittsburgh

11) Pursue Academic Research: “An often-underrated feature of attending business school is the enormity and diversity of research conducted by world-class faculty. At NYU Stern, I was fortunate to have assisted two professors in their work on sustainability and venture capital, while applying what I had learned to research on my own through my senior thesis.

While in an academic setting, research is an incredible opportunity to stay abreast of, and even contribute to, new sources of knowledge and innovative developments in any subfield of business. In my experience, this skill set has been transferable to any professional setting I have entered. After all, research is at the heart of business, whether you are conducting due diligence on a company as an investor or analyzing a new customer segment as a marketer. The insights gained from participating in research transcend any one role or industry.”
Sachi Reddy, New York University (Stern)

12) Always Ask: “That’s true whether you want to learn more about a club; interested in a career that a professor of yours used to work in; or want to sit down to coffee with an upperclassman that you admire. You never know where one interaction will lead. For me, ‘just asking’ put me in the position to open so many more doors to chances and opportunities that would have passed me right by if I hadn’t just been brave for that one moment.”
Jillian Buenger, University of Minnesota (Carlson)

13) Study More Than Business: “Supplement your education with a non-business-related field! Picking up a degree in Computer Science has completely evolved my mental framework when approaching problems and has allowed me to think and process in a much more logical manner. I think diversifying your education pays dividends not only in becoming a more well-rounded student, but it will certainly enhance your skillset in the business-related field of your choice.”
Ed Hanlon, University of Miami (Herbert)

14) Find Your Tribe: “Surround yourself with people who challenge you to be the best version of yourself. We all have the privilege of studying alongside brilliant minds. Be humble enough to accept guidance not just from professors but from peers – sometimes even those younger than you – who have a burning passion for a subject that interests you. If a topic excites you but feels out of reach, seek out those who immerse themselves in it and are willing to share that joy with you. Engaging with your peers accelerates your learning and pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Growth in business, and in life, often comes from listening, adapting, and being open to new perspectives.”
Samuel Rosen, Lehigh University

15) Study People as Much as Concepts: “My biggest advice would be to understand that, at the end of the day, businesses are ruled by people. Therefore, as a business major, it is just as important to study people as it is to study your textbook material. Business is unique from all other majors in that way: the value of your degree doesn’t only lie in the material but, more importantly, in the way you can navigate professional spaces and build meaningful connections with others. Technical competency gets you in the door, your ability to connect with others keeps your seat at the table.
Glenys Yevi, University of Houston (Bauer)

16) Get Involved: “Business has a lot to do with the lessons and experience you get by getting involved in clubs, group projects, ventures, and internships – activities outside the classroom. So get involved, do things, start things, fail, again and again – and learn from the mistakes you make. Business is all about doing; if the answers were in books and theory, everyone would be an entrepreneur. Unfortunately, there is no recipe for success. You’ve got to come up with your own special sauce and refine it through trial-and-error until people like it.”
Rami Bazan, IE Business School

17) Find Your Why: It’s a simple phrase, but it carries immense weight— especially in a field where there are endless areas in which you can explore. Coming into college, I had no idea what my “why” was, but I quickly realized that business school is an amazing place to discover it. As you begin exploring different areas of the business world, whether it is through coursework, internships, or extracurriculars, find what truly motivates you and gets you out of bed in the morning.

As we explore our “why,” it is important to be willing to step out of our comfort zones. Scheller has provided me with countless opportunities to do this by taking on challenging projects, networking with extremely successful business leaders, and discovering unique paths that students don’t always take. Rather than trying to fit into a predefined path, I learned that I should focus on not only what aligns with my strengths, but also what drives my curiosity. To do this, seek out mentors, ask questions, and take advantage of the opportunities that studying business provides. Once the “why” is discovered and the path begins, I believe that is the passion that will shape your career and set you apart in the business world.”
Logan Roach, Georgia Tech (Scheller)

18) Don’t Follow the Crowd: “Business school can sometimes feel like a high-speed conveyor belt where everyone is rushing toward the same handful of industries, but rather the best thing you can do is carve out your own lane and figure out what actually excites you.

For me, that meant blending finance, storytelling, and social impact in ways weren’t exactly “by the book.” Whether it was directing a film about mental health, working in public finance to help cities fund critical infrastructure, or leading student government initiatives, my most fulfilling experiences were the ones that didn’t fit the traditional business school mold.

So, my advice? Take risks. Explore industries outside of the usual consulting and banking pipelines. Talk to people who have unconventional career paths. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to build something yourself whether it’s a startup, a nonprofit, or just a unique approach to your career. Business isn’t just about making money, but rather it’s about creating impact. Find a way to do both, and you’ll never feel like you’re just following the crowd.”
Agha Haider, Emory University (Goizueta)

 

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