Going to business school can open a lot of doors for you. However, most of the time people imagine being in places like Wall Street or some large corporation. The truth is that only a fraction of business school grads ends up doing straight “business” jobs in fields like commerce, human resources, or marketing. Lots find themselves in other exciting opportunities, and there’s a lot of potential to marry your “business know how” with your own passions to create a job prospect that is tailor-made for you.
Information Technology
The IT world is so tightly woven with the economics of today that it is nearly impossible to separate them and have one ignores the other. Join an IT solution company, and you’ll see how embedded software is in the world of business, from managing timesheets, organizing data in cloud systems, dealing with tech security, accounting, and more. Some of these companies promote a very balanced work-life culture and allow for flexibility and remote work, so if that’s something that you prioritize, it’s worth investing some time into investigating.
Small Business Owner
Entrepreneurship is not quite the same as the “business” most of us study in school, however, the concepts are all there for you to draw from. Whether you decide to open a consultancy, a retail store, a manufacturing facility, or more, having the basics, and the connections, can give you a foot up over people who don’t know anything about business when they launch their dream small business.
Manager/Promoter
In business, you learn about partnerships, co-operations, collaborations, contracts, deals, etc. Maybe you won’t be as well versed as a lawyer, however, this style of language is not foreign to you. Use this perspective to help others who want to make a living from their passion but would otherwise flounder in the business world. Examples are musicians, artists, athletes, and more; these are people who know their stuff in their sphere of expertise but might be taken advantage of when signing with a team, label, for an event, etc.
Investor
Yes, most would consider “investing” or working as an investor as a traditional business stream, but you can make it your own and go a completely alternative way with it. Investing in small, local start-ups, ventures, restaurants, and more, is not what the “big guys” are usually dipping their toes into, however, this can give you a lot of satisfaction as you see your moves improve the lives of those in your own local community. It also gives you a more vested interest in a range of business that you basically end up “consulting” on.
Charity Work
Business is about making money. Yes, and no. If you feel overwhelmed and disenchanted by the traditional business world, your calling might lie in a job with a non-for-profit or charity. These still need funds to operate, and rely on intelligent minds to keep them going, however the overall vision is different. It’s not about getting rich, but you can make a living while combining it with work for a greater cause.
While your professors get a say in what you learn while you are there, don’t let the traditional business world tell you what you have to do with that information afterwards. Use your smarts and your education to create a career that is fulfilling and rewarding for you.