Business Career Path Review – Instructions

WORKSHEET 2

Goal: To reflect on different parts of a business and determine if your current major aligns with your strengths, or if you should pivot to a different department before next semester.

Task: Answer the Pros and Cons questions under each area below. Think about them sincerely and give three examples for each.

In case you need to re-read our case studies:

Part 1: The “Day in the Life” Filter

Reflect on the stories of Maya, Michael, Nina, Leo, and Maria. For each field, identify the skills required and determine what you would love versus what you would struggle with.

1. Supervisory Management (The Leader)

Technical Skills: Using the POLC framework to manage workflows, scheduling software, and project management.
Soft Skills: Conflict resolution, public speaking, and “big picture” thinking.
The Pros: What are 3 things about being “the boss” or the coordinator that excite you? (e.g., being in charge, seeing the big picture, helping others succeed).
The Cons: What are 3 things about management that sound draining? (e.g., dealing with angry employees, high-pressure deadlines, and being responsible when things go wrong).

2. Human Resources (The People Expert)

Technical Skills: Understanding labor laws, safety regulations, and recruitment platforms.
Soft Skills: Empathy, confidentiality, and clear communication.
The Pros: What are 3 reasons you might enjoy the “People” side of business? (e.g., helping people get jobs, protecting worker safety, building a great company culture).
The Cons: What are 3 things about HR that sound difficult? (e.g., firing people, dealing with complex laws/paperwork, being “stuck in the middle” between the boss and the workers).

3. Marketing & Sales (The Creative Connector)

Technical Skills: Market research, social media analytics, and the “4 Ps” strategy.
Soft Skills: Creativity, persuasion, and resilience (handling the word “No”).
The Pros: What are 3 things about Marketing/Sales that fit your personality? (e.g., using social media, being creative, the excitement of making a sale).
The Cons: What are 3 things about this field that worry you? (e.g., the pressure of meeting sales goals, public speaking, the frustration of an ad campaign failing).

4. Accounting (The Truth-Teller)

Technical Skills: Preparing Balance Sheets and Income Statements; using Excel and tax software.
Soft Skills: Extreme attention to detail, organization, and high integrity.
The Pros: What are 3 things about Accounting that appeal to you? (e.g., the “puzzle” of balancing numbers, job security, knowing exactly how the business is performing).
The Cons: What are 3 things about Accounting that sound tough? (e.g., staring at spreadsheets all day, the high level of detail required, the stress of tax season).

Part 2: The “Energy” Audit

Be honest. This is about your future career happiness.

The “Problem” Test: Every job has problems. Which department’s problems would you actually enjoy solving? (e.g., “I’d rather fix a broken budget than fix a fight between two employees.”)
The “Favorite Chapter” Test: In the stories we read, which specific chapter or department’s work felt most interesting to you? Was it the fast-paced management of Chapter 2, the people-focused HR in Chapter 3, the creative marketing in Chapter 4, or the detailed numbers in Chapter 5?
The Skill Test: Looking at the “Technical Skills” listed in Part 1, which set of tools are you most excited to actually learn in your upcoming classes?

Part 3: The Final Verdict

This stays between you and your instructor. Use this to confirm your path.

Current Major: _________________________________________________
Stay or Switch? ________________________________________________
The “Why”: Write two sentences explaining why this specific program/degree is the best fit for your personality and your goals in your community.

Part 4: Infographic/Presentation Prep

In your upcoming presentation, you will be asked to “defend” your choice.

Select one department from the character stories (Management, HR, Marketing, or Accounting). What was a specific situation described in that chapter that convinced you this is (or isn’t) the right career for you?
If you chose to switch majors, what was the “lightbulb moment” during the reading that changed your mind?
If you chose to stay, what is the #1 thing you are looking forward to doing in your first “real” job after graduation?

Instructor Note: This worksheet fulfills the goals outlined in the Business Concepts textbook (Pages 4 and 129) to help students “fully commit to their selected program” or “switch programs, if necessary, without adding time to their educational plan.”