A High School Student’s Guide to Exploring Business Careers

Business is an increasingly popular major among high school students as they plan for college. I always encourage my students to explore the many interesting ways to pursue business careers. This post will provide you with practical guidance on how best to determine if business is the major for you and then how to prepare for it.

Business is not one career path. It’s a broad field with dozens of disciplines, personalities, and work styles. Some spend their careers analyzing data. Others build brands, negotiate deals, manage people, launch startups, or study financial markets.

Instead of feeling pressure to pick the “right” business discipline now, focus on discovering:

• What types of work energize you?

• What problems do you enjoy solving?

• What environments fit your personality?

• What strengths naturally show up in your daily life?

Get Familiar: Concentrations Within Business

Most university business schools include disciplines, or concentrations, such as:

• Accounting

• Finance

• Marketing

• Management

• Entrepreneurship

• Supply Chain & Logistics

• Management Information Systems (MIS)

• Business Analytics

• Human Resources

• Real Estate

• International Business

You do not need to know your exact path before college. Most AACSB-accredited undergraduate business schools require several foundational courses in the first two years, exposing students to the many aspects of running a business, from solopreneur ventures to multinational corporations. A few business schools actually offer an introductory course focused on understanding the variety of business disciplines.

Let’s Start With High School Academic Planning

Strong academic preparation is key to doing well as a business major.

Math Preparation
Business majors use math regularly, especially in accounting, finance, economics, and analytics courses. 

Most AACSB undergraduate business programs require Calculus and Statistics, so it’s important to take Pre-Calculus at some level (Regular, Honors, or AP). If possible, take AP Calculus if you  have very selective business schools on your list. AP  Statistics can fulfill your business major Statistics 

Students do not necessarily need to be “math people,” but comfort with quantitative thinking is important.

English and Communication Skills
Business professionals spend significant time writing emails and reports, creating presentations, and drafting proposals. Developing strong writing skills is essential. Public speaking, too, is an important skill to develop, either through a class or activities that require it.

Economics and Business Courses

All high schools offer Economics at varying levels. Many offer personal finance/financial literacy (for some high schools, a graduation requirement). Business courses, whether CTE type or Dual Enrollment, are increasingly popular. All of these offer early exposure to business topics and help to show an applicant’s fit to major to colleges that consider that.

Technology and Data Skills
Business increasingly relies on technology and analytics. Useful preparation includes:

• Computer applications

• Spreadsheet software (especially Excel)

• Computer science

• Data analytics or coding courses

Learning how to organize and interpret data is becoming increasingly valuable across business disciplines.

Challenging Coursework
Selective business schools often value students who pursue academic rigor when available:

• Honors courses

• AP or IB coursework

• Dual-credit college classes

Particularly strong choices include AP Statistics, AP Calculus, AP Macroeconomics and/or Microeconomics, and AP English Language and/or AP English Literature.

Career Exploration Ideas by Business Discipline

Interested in Finance or Investing?
Do you:

• Enjoy numbers and strategy

• Follow financial  markets or economic news

• Like competition and analytical thinking

Ways to explore:

• Participate in a stock market simulation challenge

• Follow companies and earnings reports

• Listen to beginner-friendly investing podcasts

• Learn basic budgeting and personal finance

• Join an investment or economics club at school

Is Marketing What You’d Like To Do?
Marketing is ideal if you:

• Enjoy creativity and communication

• Notice advertising, social media trends, or branding

• Like storytelling and design

Ways to explore:

• Run social media for a school club

• Start a small online business or Etsy shop

• Create mock marketing campaigns for favorite brands

• Learn basic graphic design or video editing

• Analyze how companies market products differently

Do You Have an Entrepreneurial Spirit?
Entrepreneurship might be for you if you:

• Find yourself generating business ideas

• Prefer independence and initiative

• Enjoy solving problems creatively

Ways to explore:

• Start a small side business

• Sell products online

• Offer tutoring, lawn care, or digital services

• Enter business pitch competitions

• Interview local business owners about their journeys

Can You See Yourself in Management or Leadership?
This may fit well if you:

• Naturally organize groups

• Enjoy teamwork and planning

• Like leading projects and events

Ways to explore:

• Lead a club, team, or volunteer initiative

• Plan a fundraiser or community event

• Learn project management tools

• Observe leadership styles in organizations

• Develop public speaking skills

Do You Know About  Business Analytics or Management Information Systems?
You may:

• Enjoy technology and problem-solving

• Like patterns, systems, or data

• Want a business career connected to tech

Ways to explore:

• Learn Excel, Google Sheets, or Tableau basics

• Try beginner coding courses

• Explore data visualization projects

• Analyze trends in sports, business, or social media data

• Learn how companies use technology to make decisions

This is one of the fastest-growing areas within business and often appeals to students who enjoy both business and technology.

Supply Chain or Logistics
Consider this if you:

• Enjoy systems and operations

• Like efficiency and organization

• Wonder how products move around the world

Ways to explore:

• Research how companies like Amazon deliver products quickly

• Study global trade and shipping

• Learn how shortages affect businesses

• Explore operations behind sports events, concerts, or retail

Many students discover this field only after college begins, but it can lead to strong career opportunities.

Best General Career Exploration Activities for Business Students

Conduct Informational Interviews
Talk to professionals in different business fields.

Ask:

• What does a typical day look like?

• What do you enjoy most about this work?

• What personality traits fit this career?

• What would you do differently in college?

Most professionals are surprisingly willing to speak with curious and respectful students.

Get a Part-Time Job
Think retail, fast food, pet sitting, child care, tutoring, etc. These jobs build valuable business and  life skills such as:

• Communication

• Customer service

• Teamwork

• Problem-solving

• Responsibility

Join Business-Focused Organizations
See what’s offered at your high school or start your own group

• DECA

• Future Business Leaders of America

• Entrepreneurship clubs

• Investment clubs

Periodicals, Books & Podcasts Worth Your Time

The Wall Street Journal (newspaper, print & digital versions)

Atomic Habits by James Clear (book)

Build for Tomorrow by Jason Feifer (book)

Good to Great by Jim Collins (book)

Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio (book)

Future of the Business World, produced byWharton Global Youth Program, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (podcast)

Planet Money, produced by NPR (podcast)

Business Wars, produced by Wondery, hosted by journalist David D. Brown     (podcast)

How I Built This, produced by NPR, hosted by journalist Guy Raz (podcast)

To learn more about me or my services, visit my website.

For the latest tips and advice, be sure to follow along on my social media.