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