Business

View our Business degrees

What can I do with a Major in Business?

Accounting

Job Types

  • Tax Planning and Compliance
  • Auditing
  • Information Systems
  • Management Advising Services
  • General Accounting
  • Cost Accounting
  • Public Accounting
  • Corporate Accounting

Employers

  • Public accounting firms
  • Government agencies
  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Health care industry
  • Service and manufacturing companies
  • Consulting practices
  • Private practice

Strategies

  • Plan on a five-year program to meet requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) status.
  • Develop advanced computer skills.
  • Gain related experience through internships.
  • Become familiar with specialized certification programs.
  • Develop mathematical and problem solving abilities, excellent communication skills, the ability to work well with people, a high energy level, and an attention to detail.

Economics

Job Types

  • Research and Forecasting
  • Economic Advising
  • Teaching

Employers

  • Financial institutions
  • Trade and labor organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Insurance companies
  • Educational institutions

Strategies

  • Earn a graduate degree for advanced positions.
  • Develop a strong background in math and statistics.
  • Learn to think in theoretical terms and apply knowledge to practical situations.
  • Gain experience through an internship.

Finance

Job Types

  • Corporate Financial Management
  • Banking
  • Personal Financial Planning
  • Real Estate
  • Insurance
  • Money Management
  • Investment Banking

Employers

  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • Financial planning agencies
  • Insurance companies
  • Real estate brokers or agencies
  • Government agencies
  • Corporations

Strategies

  • Take additional courses in math, statistics, and accounting to develop strong quantitative skills.
  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Cultivate an eye for detail.
  • Gain experience through internships or summer and part-time positions.
  • Join student professional associations in the field of finance.

General Business

Job Types

  • Management
  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Insurance: Sales, Claims, and Underwriting
  • Banking
  • Human Resources

Employers

  • Retail stores
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • Insurance companies
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Self-employment

Strategies

  • Gain leadership experience through participation in student organizations.
  • Get hands-on experience in area of interest through part-time and summer jobs or internships.
  • Develop a career direction and convey area of interest to employers.

Management

Job Types

  • General Management
  • Human Resources
  • Office Systems
  • Operations
  • Production Management
  • Quality Control

Employers

  • Retail and other service industries
  • Manufacturing firms
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Health care industry

Strategies

  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Obtain leadership roles in student organizations.
  • Get related experience in area of interest through internships or part-time and summer jobs.
  • Build competency in statistics and computer systems for operations management.

Marketing

Job Types

  • Sales
  • Customer Relations
  • Purchasing/Procurement
  • Retail
  • Banking
  • Market Research
  • Brand/Product Management

Employers

  • Profit and nonprofit organizations
  • Product and service organizations
  • Manufacturers
  • Financial companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Print and electronic media
  • Retail industry
  • Consulting firms

Strategies

  • Obtain sales experience through jobs and internships.
  • Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrate a high energy level.
  • Get leadership experience.
  • Obtain an MBA for most brand management, consulting, and research opportunities.

Statistics

Job Types

  • Analysis/Research
  • Quality Assurance
  • Actuarial Science

Employers

  • Government agencies
  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • Health care industry
  • Manufacturers
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Insurance companies

Strategies

  • Acquire advanced knowledge of computers.
  • Take additional courses in accounting, marketing, economics, and finance.
  • Complete a co-op or internship.

Transportation and Logistics

Job Types

  • Scheduling
  • Physical Distribution
  • Planning and Regulation
  • Transportation Carrier Management
  • Materials Management
  • Customer Service
  • Purchasing
  • Consulting
  • Third Party Logistics

Employers

  • Motor carrier, railroad, airline, pipeline and water transportation industries
  • Manufacturing firms
  • Distribution centers
  • Warehousers
  • Public transit systems
  • Government agencies
  • Armed forces
  • Software and consulting firms

Strategies

  • Gain experience through part-time and summer jobs or internships.
  • Develop information technology, analytical, and quantitative skills through courses and work.
  • Participate in leadership of student organizations.
  • Develop decision-making ability.
  • Learn to work well in a team and to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

Strategies for Placement in Business

  • General business is a broad area that leads to many opportunities. Students should clearly define their goals and seek related experiences to reach those goals.
  • Gaining relevant experience through part-time and summer jobs or internships is critical.
  • Many desirable skills can be developed through participation in and leadership of student organizations.
  • Get involved in professional associations in field of interest.
  • Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find a mentor.
  • Consider earning an MBA after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of business management.
  • Learn to work well in a team and effectively with a wide variety of people.
  • Strong communication skills, including public speaking, are important to achieving success in this field.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer

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