Ultimate Guide to Business Majors

Business majors are some of the most popular degree programs out there, and with good reason. A business degree is both a general program – equipping you for many types of work – while also offering the opportunity to specialize.

Why so many majors to choose from?

All businesses need certain types of employees to run smoothly. Each role calls for a different knowledge base, creating many different possible majors.

Businesses need management to coordinate big decisions and keep the company moving in a good direction. They need salespeople, and sometimes marketing and advertising agents, to take the product to the intended audience.

Businesses also need accountants, tax specialists, and financial managers to deal with money. There are business lawyers and public relations specialists to help a business project the right image.

Finally, there are specialties within business management and operations. So, no matter what a business student wants to do in a business, there’s probably a business degree program for it!

Related: Types of Business Careers by Major

Accounting

The basic purpose of accounting is to provide trusted relevant information to management, investors, creditors, government and, sometimes, the general public.

Accounting is an indespensable part of running a business and can be crucial to individuals with complex financial situations as well. This being so, accountants participate in planning, analysing, and steering the activities of a firm.

Accountants provide planning, management and security to an individual’s finances; and collect revenue and prepare statistics for government.

More information on Accounting

• What Accounting Careers are Really Like
• Financial Accounting Standards Board – “To establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting…”
• American Accounting Association – Promoting excellence in accounting education, practice, and research

Advertising

Advertising is a means of communicating a message to a specific audience, most often associated with commercial sales. Creating the desired appearance and value for the advertiser and/or its products usually makes the difference between success and failure.

Educational programs in Advertising are sometimes found within a business department, but often are stand-alone departments or found within a Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or Marketing Department.

Those who coordinate all aspects of advertising campaigns, such as the art, production, logistics and financials, often were trained in business. In the industry, this is usually in the Creative Department, and requires knowledge of advertising trends and strong visual communication skills, overseeing progression of campaign from rough sketches and focus groups, through to final production and impact analysis.

More information on Advertising

• adweek.com – News of advertising and media industries; a wealth of information and resources
• American Advertising Federation – Resources for advertisers and those who use the advertising business

Banking

The banking industry is defined as establishments engaged in accepting time deposits, making loans (mortgage, real estate, commercial, industrial, and consumer), and investing in high-grade securities. There are several types of banks, including: commercial banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and federal reserves.

The banking industry has changed significantly over the last decade. In 1999, the Financial Modernization Act allowed banks to begin offering investment and insurance products. But perhaps the most influential impact has been technology — many routine business transactions are now offered via automated teller machines or online services.

Required education varies based on position. Most bank tellers need only a high school diploma and can receive on-the-job training. Workers in management, business, and financial occupations usually have at least a bachelor’s degree, with courses in business management and finance being most preferred. Other courses may include communications, international business, accounting, insurance, and taxation.

More information on Banking

• American Banker – Trade magazine for bankers, with industry news, etc.
• American Banker’s Association – Top banking and banker’s association

Business Administration & Management

Known as the “generic” business major, Business Administration and Management is all about learning how to be a boss — how to run a successful, competitive company, how to deal with clients and employees and shareholders, etc.

While in the program, students can expect to take courses in math (economics, finance, accounting, and statistics); organizational management; human resources; business law and ethics; public relations; advertising; and more. Students also to give a number of presentations and create well-researched reports, and work a lot in groups, since that is what managing a business is all about.

Some schools require students to concentrate in a certain area of business management while completing the program. Concentrations help the student prepare for a certain sector of management or type of business.

More information on Business Administration & Management

• BetterManagement.com – Resources to help managers become more effective leaders
• BRINT – Vast resources on technology and business management
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Top Executives
• Princeton Review – “Basic Information — Major: Business Administration/Management”
• United States Small Business Administration – Resources for small business, entrepreneurs, and managers

Business Analytics

Business Analytics is all about making smart decisions based on data. It mixes math, tech, and business skills. People who like numbers and figuring out puzzles might find this field exciting.

When you study Business Analytics, you learn how to read data, spot trends, and suggest ways for a business to do better. This can be at Bachelor’s or Master’s level. The courses cover things like how to dig into data (data mining), understand patterns (statistical analysis), and predict what might happen next (predictive modeling).

Colleges make sure you get to practice what you learn. They use real data and set up internships with companies. This way, you’re ready to jump into jobs like data analyst, business intelligence specialist, or analytics consultant.

More information on Business Analytics

• Is Business Analytics a Good Major?
• Is Business Analytics Hard? Yes and No
• International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) – Professional association for business analysts
• Analytics Magazine – Articles, case studies, and trends in business analytics
• Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (ACM SIGKDD) – Resources and community for data science and business analytics professionals

Business Law

There are basically two types of business lawyers: those who handle lawsuits, called business litigators, and those who handle contracts and corporate matters, called transactional lawyers. Business litigators represent the company in a lawsuit.

Transactional lawyers advise companies concerning legal issues related to their business activities. These issues might involve patents, government regulations, contracts with other companies, property interests, or collective-bargaining agreements with unions.

Larger companies typically have their own lead counsel or staff of lawyers, whereas smaller companies may retain the services of a law firm specializing in business law.

As with any career in law, typical education requirements include an undergraduate degree and then proceeding to law school. Once in law school students can choose to take classes that focus more on business law and needs, such as commercial law, corporate law, intellectual property law, etc.

After law school one must successfully pass the bar exam before being permitted to practice law in any state. The exam is administered by each state’s Bar Association, and therefore differs slightly.

More information on Business Law

• American Bar Association — Attorney by Attorney Profiles – Profile of Amelia Boss, a business lawyer
• Bureau of Labor and Statistics – Career guide to law professions
• Lawyers.com — What to look for in a business lawyer
• American Intellectual Property Law Association – Association for intellectual property lawyers

E-Commerce

E-Commerce (or Electronic Commerce) can most simply be defined as business conducted electronically, instead of on paper. Most people think of buying and selling goods and services through digital communications and networks, but it can encompass any business deal or transaction done remotely via computer.

All business students have some E-commerce classes in your major, and some choose to make it their area of specialization. The field evolves rapidly with new and expanding technology, so there are also training seminars and certifications available. Coursework may include finance, banking, international commerce, ethics, and business communication.

Graduates with a good working knowledge of E-Commerce can be helpful in many businesses. Most businesses do at least some of their sales and marketing online, to reach people that do not come into the business directly. An understanding of security issues is important to protect company and customer assets. The ability to understand the needs of online shoppers is also a must.

More information on E-Commerce

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accountants and Auditors – Career industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Financial Managers, Career industry information
• IBM, Glossary – Definitions of e-commerce

Economics

Economics is the study of the laws of human action and interaction. This makes economics the very root of business decisions, government policy, and global relations.

A degree in economics can prepare you for a broad array of careers: journalism, city planning, banking, finance and many others. Furthermore, an economics degree serves as excellent preparation for a Law degree or an MBA.

An economist is an intellectual generalist pragmatist. This may be why economics is the most popular major at Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Penn, and Chicago and second at Yale, Berkeley, Cornell and Dartmouth.

An economics course of study is often found in the social sciences department of a university or college rather than the business department. Other schools combine buiness and econimics in one department. Which department the economics program resides in may be an indication of the “flavor” of economics that the school provides.

More information on Economics

• Careers in Economics – An overview of employment opportunities for economists from Ball State University
• Educational Resources – An interesting mix of information and resources for those interested in economics

Entrepreneurial Studies

Many people dream of owning and running our own business, and luckily there are majors and courses devoted to learning how to become an entrepreneur!

Entrepreneurs need all the skills of a business manager, including coursework in management principles, finances, taxes, marketing, organization, and more. Some degree programs focus on specific aspects of entrepreneurship, such as a focus on environmental products or online sales.

One of the things students learn (and hopefully already have some aptitude for) is how to recognize a great opportunity and capitalize on it. Students learn how to identify consumer trends, to know what people need and want before they even know.

Entrepreneurial studies majors also learn how to tackle the tough challenges of trying to get a business off the ground. One of the main qualifications to become an entrepreneur is the willingness to take risks – the field is not for the weak of heart!

More information on Entrepreneurial Studies

• 5 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Divorce
• Global Entrepreneurship Monitor – Research assessing economic growth due to entrepreneurship
• OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre – Based in Ottawa but contains good resources for anyone interested in how entrepreneurship works and how to get started
• Entrepreneur.com – More resources for entrepreneurs
• Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education – For educators, community leaders, and others wishing to extend the excitement and tools of entrepreneurship to young people

Finance

Managers need finance to identify and manage risk, to decide whether to make capital expenditures or produce new products, and to find funding sources for their firms. Individuals use the principles of finance to set long-term financial goals and to make personal investment decisions.

Areas of study in the field of finance include financial management, banking, planning, investments, insurance, money flow, real estate, and financial services.

Careers in finance can take the form of: Commercial Banking, Corporate Finance, Financial Planning, Insurance, Investment Banking, Money Management, Real Estate, and others.

More information on Finance

• What Financial Analysts Do
• Financial Planning: Facts and Trends – Discusses the future of financial planning

Health Care Administration

A major in Health Care Administration combines health care and business concepts. Professionals in the field need to understand the treatment of disease and health maintenance as well as how to run a successful business.

Many organizations providing health care (networks of hospitals, for example) are huge companies. Students will learn about finance, corporate structure, health care law, personnel management, and many other business concepts.

But these health care companies and groups are different from regular companies in that they are providing healthcare; students also take classes in epidemiology, disease prevention, patient communications, and other health care-related courses.

Most schools offer this program at the graduate or doctoral level only. Upon graduation the student may look for work in entry-level management in hospitals, managed care facilities, clinics, health insurance companies, and public and government agencies.

More information on Health Care Administration

• AISHealth.com – “Specialized Business Information for Health Care Managers”
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Career industry information on medical and health services managers
• National Institute for Health Care Management, Research and Educational Foundation – Research and education on healthcare management issues
• Princeton Review, “Basic Information – Major: Health Administration” – Info on careers and education in healthcare administration

Hospitality Management

There is a lot that goes into running hotels, resorts, convention centers, casinos, cruise ships, and fancy restaurants. Not only do the managers need to have sharp business skills, they need to be able to communicate with customers and clients, and keep everyone safe and happy. This is where a Hospitality Management degree can really come in handy.

In their degree program, students learn business concepts (human resources, finance, taxes and real estate laws, etc.) as well as things specific to the business of hospitality – event coordination, nutrition and serving; perhaps even navigation, geography, and foreign languages. It is a very good idea to complete an internship. The major is available at certificate, bachelors, and master’s degree levels.

Some Hospitality Management programs focus on a specific aspect of the industry, such as restaurant management or tourism studies.

More information on Hospitality Management

• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Food service managers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lodging Managers – Career industry information
• North Dakota State University, Hospitality & Tourism Management – Explanation of the major
• Restaurant Report – Interviews and articles for restaurant and hospitality professionals
• SPRIG – Promoting Information in Leisure, Tourism and Sport, “How to Find Out: Hospitality Management”

Human Resource Management

Human resource management covers people-focused tasks and functions within an organization, including: recruiting and hiring, employee compensation and benefits, corporate policy, employee assistance, and training.

Within the field of human resource management there is an endless list of possible jobs. Some of these include: recruiters, EEO officers, employer relations specialist, benefits managers, training and development managers, and labor relations, just to name a few.

Due to the variety of jobs within the human resource industry, the educational requirements can vary significantly. Today most employers seeking to fill entry-level positions look for college graduates with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in human resources or personnel management. Other acceptable backgrounds include business and liberal arts degrees. A Master’s degree or other advanced education is usually helpful when seeking top-level management positions.

Courses should cover business management, organizational and behavior theory, leadership and ethics, occupational and employment laws, accounting, and more.

More information on Human Resource Management

• Bureau of Labor and Statistics – Career information on human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists
• “When is an HR Department Necessary?” – Article on the scope of the field
• Society for Human Resource Management – Fellowship organization advancing the field

International Business

International Business majors learn all of the basic business concepts and then focus on international finance, sales, and marketing. Many programs require proficiency in a foreign language, which can be very helpful in getting a good job. Students also take cultural studies courses, learning about the customs, laws, and business rules of other countries.

International Business is available as a concentration area in some business majors. There are also some bachelor’s and master’s level programs available. Courses will include global marketing, international commerce laws, finance, and cultural sensitivity and communications.

More information on International Business

• Bureau of Labor Statistics – “Top Executives”
• globalEDGE.com – International Business Resource Desk – Excellent resources, including country profiles to brush up on customs and laws
• International Trade Administration (ITA) – Government association to help US businesses enter and thrive in a global marketplace
• United States Council for International Business – Presents ideas, solutions, and resources for US businesses interested in the global marketplace

Labor Studies

Labor Studies encompasses the history of labor, labor rights, the importance (and challenges) of unions, and more. Students may earn a Bachelor’s degree in the field, but there are also many credit and non-credit courses available to help union organizers, worker advocates and businesses stay current in the field. Possible classes include economics, law, communications, political science, human resources, business management, and history.

Graduates of Labor Studies programs can hold jobs such as union organizer/campaigner/president, teacher, occupational health and safety inspector, labor lawyer or advocate, community organizer, and more!

More information on Labor Studies

• American Labor Studies Center – Resources for labor studies professionals
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists – Industry and career information
• Indiana University, Division of Labor Studies, “What is Labor Studies?” – Introduction to the field and education
• National Bureau of Economic Research – Page on labor studies

MBA Programs

“MBA” stands for Master of Business Administration, a highly popular graduate-level business administration degree. Some schools offer the program stand-alone as a general management qualification. But many students complete an MBA program with a concentration in an area such as analytics, marketing or business communications.

MBA programs usually require lots of group work, research and projects. Students complete projects in group settings to simulate a real-work environment. Some programs require students to complete a thesis project in the end – students research a topic of interest and present it to a group of peers, faculty members, and members of the business community.

Coursework will be an expansion of undergraduate concepts, including finance, leadership, organizational behavior, marketing, management, and using computers in business.

More information on MBA Programs

• Association of MBAs – Association for MBA holders
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers – Career and industry information for a range of business fields
• QuickMBA.com – Short articles on myriad business topics

Merchandising and Retail

The exchange of goods and services is perhaps the oldest form of business known to humankind.

• Merchandising is most often associated with marketing a certain brand or company; for example, merchandisers may negotiate a contract with a film director to place their product in an upcoming movie.
• Retail is the direct selling of products to consumers; for example, supermarkets are retail outlets.

Students completing a Merchandising and/or Retail degree program can expect classes in business concepts, economics, consumer behavior, marketing, advertising, sales, etc. Students complete projects that are applicable to the real world.

Merchandisers might directly liaison with store buyers to get them to carry their product. Retail majors may be able to work in retail and sales management at a business directly selling products to customers (as opposed to wholesale – the selling of goods from one business to another).

More information on Merchandising & Retail

• Top 10 Essential Marketing Skills
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers – Career and industry information
• National Association for Retail Marketing Services – Association of retail professionals
• National Retail Federation – “The world’s largest retail trade association”
• Produce Merchandising – Trade magazine for retailers and merchandisers

Non-Profit Administration

Non-profit Management and Administration focuses on how to run a successful non-profit business. These have many of the same needs as for-profit business: effectively communicating with the public; raising funds; hiring and managing employees; and more.

Students in a certificate, undergraduate or graduate degree program will learn many business concepts. Students will also learn things like gaining and retaining members, communicating with and educating the public, working with politicians, networking (critical for nonprofits), etc. Public Administration classes will be important – in fact, students interested in non-profit management may want to earn a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) degree.

There are many job opportunities open to graduates with skills in non-profit management. Many non-profit groups are just now realizing that their staff needs the same skills as their for-profit peers.

More information on Non-profit Administration

• Fiscal Non-Profit Administration – About the organization of non-profit agencies
• Free Management Library – Great resource for non-profit and for-profits alike
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Gaining Success by Degrees – Article on why people get degrees in non-profit administration
• Center for Non-Profit Management – Networks and resources for non-profits and managers

Operations

Operations managers plan and control the day-to-day business of running a company from the ground up. They are involved in planning construction or renovation of company sites; they help hire and train new personnel; they control costs and overhead; and they help formulate company policy. An operation manager’s efficient handling of facilities and personnel is crucial to company success; they are responsible for running a “tight ship.”

Operations management is usually offered as a concentration in an undergraduate or graduate business program, but some schools also offer it as a certificate or degree program on its own. Almost all business students will take classes in operations management. Degree courses may include technology management, statistics and probability, costing and business relationships.

More information on Operations

• American Management Association – Association for operations managers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industrial Production Mangers – Career and industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Operations Research Analysts – Career and industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Purchasing Mangers, Buyers and Purchasing Agents – Career and industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives – Career and industry information

Organizational Behavior

The field is alternately known as organizational behavior, organizational studies, management science, and organizational theory. It is the application of social and behavioral sciences to organizations and business theory.

Organizational behavior is the human dimension of business – why do people buy what they do? Why do they work? What matters to them? And how can a business use this knowledge when marketing, selling, and developing new products and services? How can it be applied to human resources management?

Organizational studies may be available as a concentration in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program, or it may be a program on its own.

Students can expect to study business concepts (human resources management, consumer relations, business administration, and statistics) as well as social sciences (general psychology, social psychology). Students will also learn how these concepts, taken together, can change the way a company sells its products and relates to employees, shareholders, consumers, and government agencies.

More information about Organizational Behavior

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources, Training and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists – Career and industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations Specialists – Career and industry information

Project Management

Project Management is tricky to define, but basically it involves the entire planning, execution and evaluation of a particular project. Project managers focus on efficiently implementing plans and projects for a company. They may be consultants or work full-time for a company or firm.

Students in a project management major, concentration or course will learn basic business concepts and advanced concepts relating to project planning and management. Team management (working with different groups on one goal), accounting/cost control, and business writing and communications will be explored in depth – basically, students learn how to be a professional team leader!

Sometimes project management is worked into fields besides business. For example, architecture and engineering firms need project managers. In fact, concepts in project management can be useful for almost anyone, from a teacher to a hospital administrator to an event coordinator.

More about Project Management

• Balanced Score Card Institute, Definitions of Terms – Definitions of project management
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Career information on cost estimation
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Operations research analysts
• Project Management Institute – Advancing the field

Public Administration and Policy

The field of Public Administration and Policy is concerned with running government organizations and agencies. Civil service today is more than meets the eye – much of public policy administration has to do with coming up with innovative ways to meet ever-changing public needs with an ever-shrinking coffer. To do it, administrators integrate economics, social psychology, ethics, political science, and much more.

Public administrators must have a firm understanding of business policies if they are to be successful. They strive to meet basic needs and desires with as little money as necessary – learning to manage efficiently is essential.

Most public administration programs are at the graduate level; the degree is usually called a Masters in Public Administration, or MPA. It may be found in the business department or the political science department. Either way, the program will integrate courses from both

Students should expect to complete a lot of group projects as well as individual projects where they can demonstrate leadership ability. Much of public administration is studying the history of the field and how it affects public policy now. Students will need a firm grasp of local, state, national, and international issues. Coursework includes ethics, organizational and human behavior, administration, costing, and more.

More information on Public Administration & Policy

• American Society for Public Administration – Society for public administrators
• Bureau of Labor Studies, State and Local Government – Career industry information
• National Academy of Public Administration – Nonpartisan organization chartered by Congress to help public administrators

Public Relations

“Public Relations” can be defined in many ways, but at its most simplest, it is just relaying an idea or concept to the public. Generally, companies, groups and individuals try to promote a positive relationship with the public through active communication. Press releases, public appearances, volunteer work, campaigning, and the like are used to foster a favorable image.

Public relations specialists help companies, groups and individuals with their campaigns. A PR specialist with a political candidate, for example, would arrange speaking events, put out press releases, handle any unexpected public exposure, and more.

Students in a public relations program will study advertising, communications, public policy, leadership and teamwork concepts, public speaking, ethics, and more.

Students can either take public relations as a course, a concentration in a major, or as an undergraduate or graduate major. The field can be an effective double-major with a communications/journalism, public administration, or advertising/marketing degree. An internship can prove to be invaluable.

More information about Public Relations

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations Specialists – Career and industry information
• Center for Media and Democracy – Promotes public information dissemination and balanced reporting
• Dictionary.com, “Public Relations” – Definition of public relations
• Public Relations Society of America – Society for PR specialists
• Public Relations Student Society of America – Student branch of PRSA

Real Estate

Real estate agents are licensed to broker the sale of property. Agents help people with some of the most difficult and complicated processes they will ever encounter, which is why they need special training. Most are independent agents who earn a portion of the property’s sales. In this way, ones success as an agent will have great bearing on how much one can earn.

To become licensed, students complete about 30-90 hours of classroom training (more for brokers) and then pass a written test. Students can also get a bachelor’s degree in the field. Another relevant field is real estate law – students can major in this at the graduate level.

Courses in real estate include finance and accounting, business administration, economics and statistics, and law. The best agents are also personable and sociable, with a good capacity for remember names and faces and catering to peoples’ needs.

Real estate agents scout out properties to sell (once they are known well, people will come to the agent with properties), negotiate contracts, and sell the properties. They spend a good deal of time on the road, working after hours and on weekends to suit clients’ needs.

More information about Real Estate

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents – Career and industry information
• Calgary Real Estate Board – “Why Become a Realtor”
• National Association of Realtors – Association of licensed, professional realtors

Secretarial Studies

Secretaries and administrative assistants are arguably the backbone of most companies. Without their behind-the-scenes work, executives and other workers would have a hard time doing their jobs!

But the face of the field is changing. Technology has replaced many secretarial duties (there are answering services, for example), and the secretaries of today need top computer skills.

One great way to get the skills and knowledge needed to be a good assistant is to get a college degree in secretarial studies. Students learn basic business concepts, client relations, communications, and most importantly, computer skills. From Access and other management software to PowerPoint and Excel, secretaries use computer applications in almost everything they do.

Coursework will focus on these computer skills, as well as effective communication techniques, accounting, human resources management, account and client management, and more.

Some programs focus on specific aspects of secretarial studies, such as legal administration (requiring an understanding of law and legal writing), medical administration and academic administration. Students may be able to complete a certificate program in a specialty field.

More information on Secretarial Studies

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants – Career and industry information
• DeskDemon.com – Resources for secretaries
• Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators – UK organization with information, news, and more
• Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals – US organization of secretaries and administrators

Statistics

Statistics is about applying mathematical principles to the collection, analysis, and presentation of data. In business, statisticians are important in finding the “story” in the numbers.

Today’s business world is increasingly complex. With globalization, integrated systems, and modern research, development and production techniques, huge amounts of data must be collected and turned into useful information. Private companies and government especially need qualified statisticians to make this process work.

More information on Statistics

• Careers in Statistics – Information and resources from the American Statistical Assocation.
• Statisticians – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook

Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management is a planning and coordination task to ensure goods and materials get from their starting point to their destination efficiently. It’s about the journey products take, from raw materials to the hands of the consumer. Those in supply chain management might find themselves working as logistics coordinators, procurement officers, or supply chain analysts.

Studying for a degree in this field, whether at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level, suits those who enjoy solving logistical puzzles and streamlining processes. Coursework often covers logistics, procurement, supply chain optimization, and sustainability. It’s about making sure businesses run smoothly, products are delivered on time, and costs are kept low.

Many universities offer programs with practical experiences like internships and industry projects. These not only teach you the ropes but also give you a taste of real-world challenges and solutions.

More information on Supply Chain Management

• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals – Introduction to Supply Chain Management
• Institute for Supply Management – Resources and Professional Development
• Supply Chain Management Review – Articles, Webinars, and Career Resources
• Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee – Supply Chain Management Publications
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook for Logisticians

Taxation

Specialists in taxation law and business principles are essential to any business. These specialists work closely with the legal and accounting teams of business (either as full-time employees or as consultants in a firm or independently). They have advanced training in the field.

Taxation may be offered as a course in a business program, or it could be a concentration or major on its own. A law or business degree with a specialization in taxation may be the best way to go.

Courses include tax law and history, labor law, accounting and finance, economics and statistics, business administration, ethics, and written and oral communications.

Job opportunities include tax law attorneys, employees with federal and state tax agencies, consultants, accountants, auditors, and more. Tax collectors and revenue agents for the government usually have a bachelor’s or other degree in accounting.

More information on Taxation

• American Taxation Association – Membership organization for those interested in taxation issues and education
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accountants and Auditors – Career and industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lawyers – Career and industry information
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tax Examiners, Collectors and Revenue Agents – Career and industry information
• Internal Revenue Service, Careers with the IRS – Information on careers with the IRS