How Should I Prepare to Major in Business?

How Should I Prepare to Major in Business?

Today, I will be posting about how to prepare if you want to major in business.

When preparing to major in business, it's important to know what preparations to make and how to effectively prepare. I'll also share how to engage in EC (extracurricular) activities.

The image is of the emergence of large corporations during the rapid industrial development of the 19th and 20th centuries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As these large corporations emerged, efforts were made not only in business itself but also in financial management and organizational management.

In the early 20th century, business operations were handed down in an apprentice-style manner and conveyed through practical experience, so there were no clear standards. Joseph Wharton, a leading figure in the field of industrial metallurgy, amassed great wealth by founding and operating his company, realizing the need for standardized business education. This led to the establishment of the Wharton School of Finance and Economy, the precursor to the current University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

To efficiently manage companies, skills in business management, finance, and organization were necessary, which is the background for the establishment of business schools.

Following Wharton's lead, several famous business schools emerged. To enter such business schools, it is essential to have a good GPA and test scores as a basic requirement. If you do so, I will tell you what EC activities are good for a business major.

Confirming the common curriculum of business schools and being in line with the type of talent universities seek will ensure there are no issues when applying to universities.

The business curriculum is as follows:

1. Principles of Management -- Leadership, Organizational Structure and Management

2. Selling products/services, Understanding Consumer Needs, Market Strategies --> Problem-Solving Strategies

3. Finance - Corporate Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Asset Allocation

4. Accounting - Learning how to understand and record financial status

5. Operations Management - Maximizing Production Efficiency, Quality Control, Supply Chain Management

6. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

7. International Business - Strategic Planning Based on Understanding Cultural Differences

The abilities acquired based on the theories on the left side can be thought of as those on the right side. The abilities acquired through various curriculums are summarized in the image. If a high school student possesses these abilities, they become a highly competitive applicant.

There are many EC activities for business majors, and I will briefly explain each one. If any of these activities interest you, please look them up.

Introduction to Business-related EC Activities

FBLA

 FBLA - The world's largest business career organization. This activity can showcase abilities in 1. Leadership, Organizational Structure and Management, and 5. Maximizing Production Efficiency, Quality Control, Supply Chain Management. It holds national-level competitions and hosts the National Leadership Conference (NLC). This is the most famous conference, where selected outstanding students go through a four-day summer camp and have the merit of meeting and networking with renowned mentors.

Leadership Trainings and Programs Consider the following programs that are beneficial for 1. Leadership, Organizational Structure and Management, and 5. Maximizing Production Efficiency, Quality Control, Supply Chain Management. Note that some costs may be involved:

• Bank of America Student Leaders Program

• Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)

• Young Women's Leadership Institute

• National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)

• Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project - Los Angeles Institute

• MIT Leadership Training Institute

• University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars

• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

• Mercy College - Summer Leadership Academy

Summer / Pre-College Programs

• Exploring Entrepreneurship at Fordham University

• Babson Summer Study for High School Students

• The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

• Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom at Fordham University

• USC Exploring Entrepreneurship Program

• Berkeley Business Academy for Youth

• NYU Summer at Stern

• Wharton Leadership in the Business World Program

• Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy

These are valuable activities to demonstrate your interest in business.

DECA is an activity with the highest participation rate among high school students aspiring to business. It can be organized by the school or separately. It includes theoretical aspects, but it is meaningful and interesting as it involves solving problems through simulations. The website shows various types of challenges such as:

• Role-Play

• Case Study

• Written Events

• Online Challenges

I recommend experiencing it at least once for business.

This competition demonstrates practical problem-solving skills by showing real cases and solving problems from an investor's perspective. It is advantageous for students with rich theoretical knowledge and background in economic and social news.

These involve 3. Corporate Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Asset Allocation, and 4. Understanding Financial Status, Record-Keeping skills, and are theoretical exams hosted by CEE for The National Personal Finance Challenge. These economics/finance challenges are fun to participate in as they include short-answer theory exams.

This is the HIEEC competition I have explained several times. It demonstrates abilities in 3. Corporate Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Asset Allocation, and 4. Understanding Financial Status, Record-Keeping. Since you have to submit quickly within two to three months of receiving the topic, it is advantageous for students with abundant background knowledge and research-based essay skills.

This is a high-level activity involving research based on economics. It highlights abilities in 3. Corporate Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Asset Allocation, and 4. Understanding Financial Status, Record-Keeping.

This challenge, conducted by regional FEDs, demonstrates abilities in 3. Corporate Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Asset Allocation, and 4. Understanding Financial Status, Record-Keeping. Although it is a short camp, it is worth challenging as it is conducted by the FED. It is one of the difficult competitions that require theoretical background.

This tournament involves difficult questions related to Economics and Finance. It is a good competition for students with a lot of background knowledge, and since it involves both financial and accounting aspects, it is recommended for students who have studied econ, finance, and accounting.

Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization that educates youth worldwide on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career preparation. It demonstrates abilities in 6. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, and 7. Strategic Planning Based on Understanding Cultural Differences. By participating in simulations applicable to real life, students can be educated about corporate ethics and social responsibility. It is also worth considering engaging in meaningful activities within the school and outside with such non-profit organizations.

This activity demonstrates abilities in 6. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, and 2. Understanding Consumer Needs, Market Strategies -> Problem-Solving Skills. enactus is an international organization where students, business leaders, and academics collaborate to solve societal problems. Although the project usually targets college students, some regions allow high school students to participate, so check your area for participation opportunities.

Although it may not seem directly related to business, MUN demonstrates abilities in 6. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, and 7. Strategic Planning Based on Understanding Cultural Differences. It is a good activity based on understanding global cultural differences and corporate ethics and social responsibility.

National Business Honors Society can be entered within the school, so communicate closely with your school to join. Meeting the GPA criteria is not difficult, but since there aren't many business-related courses in high school, showing passion by taking business-related courses at community college can help you get into the National Business Honors Society.

BPA - Business Professionals of America This large international organization, formed by students, has over 45,000 members and engages in various business-related activities, making it worth considering.

Reviewing the business-related curriculum and abilities again, if a student acquires the seven abilities through EC activities, they become an attractive candidate for universities. If any of these activities interest you, I highly recommend thoroughly researching and taking action.

EC List by Activity Area

When conducting EC activities over four years, I've often explained the importance of "diversity" and recommended engaging in 5-6 activities out of eight categories. To further understand effective EC composition linked to a business major, let's revisit this explanation.

To create meaningful EC activities, it is effective to participate in various activities that align with a "specific group" or "specific purpose."

For example, you could consider addressing the issue of families affected by natural disasters in the U.S. from a business perspective.

Here are examples of effective EC structures:

Science, Technology, Engineering

• Activities:

1.      Analyze the causes and effects of natural disasters and conduct research projects to mitigate regional impacts.

2.      Develop an online platform to support affected families (e.g., donation-matching platforms or reconstruction support networks).

3.      Design low-cost disaster-resistant housing (e.g., earthquake-resistant structures, flood-prevention designs).

• Results:

• Write a report and participate in Regional Science Fairs.

Language, Expository Writing

• Activities:

  • Collect stories from disaster victims and write essays, articles, or blog posts.

• Deliverables:

1.      Submit to HIEEC (Harvard International Economics Essay Contest).

2.      Participate in the John Locke Essay Competition.

3.      Contribute to the Berkeley Economic Review.

4.      Publish in local newspapers, school papers, or online media to raise awareness of the social impacts of natural disasters—activities that can be done both inside and outside school.

Humanities & Social Science

• Activities:

  • Investigate the social and economic challenges of disaster-affected families and draft policy proposals.

• Results:

1.      Intern at the office of a U.S. Congressman.

2.      Collaborate with local governments for disaster recovery efforts.

3.      Present findings at Model UN conferences.

Arts & Athletics

• Activities:

  • Host charity performances or exhibitions for families affected by disasters.

• Results:

  • Donate proceeds to affected families and express relevant messages through art.

Communication & Leadership

• Activities:

  • Lead disaster relief campaigns in collaboration with local organizations.

• Results:

1.      Engage in FBLA activities.

2.      Participate in DECA.

3.      Join NBHS.

4.      Plan and execute fundraising activities while collaborating with local leaders.

Culture

• Activities:

  • Organize cultural healing programs for families displaced by disasters.

• Results:

1.      Participate in JA.

2.      Join enactus.

3.      Facilitate art therapy sessions and plan local cultural events.

Quantitative Reasoning with Data

• Activities:

  • Collect and analyze disaster impact data to propose support priorities.

• Results:

1.      Develop data visualization reports and data-driven support projects.

2.      These activities can also tie into STE activities.

Volunteer

• Activities:

  • Participate in local recovery efforts and interact directly with affected families.

• Results:

1.      Keep records of volunteer activities.

2.      Document changes before and after recovery efforts.

You don’t need to fill all EC categories compulsively. Structuring 4–5 solid activities is both efficient and impactful.

Today, I shared insights on EC activities for business majors and how to structure them effectively.I hope this post was helpful.

Thank you!