10 things every first-year business major should know
10 things every first-year business major should know
So you’re a first-year business student — you’re ready to embark on an exciting, challenging, rewarding journey that will test you in the best way possible! If you’re nervous, you’re not alone. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of your first year as a business student.
1. Start with direct admission
If you’ve worked extra hard in high school to be a top performer, you will definitely want to go the direct admission route. If you qualify, you will be accepted directly into the Wilson College of Business at the time of admission to the University of Northern Iowa. As a direct admit, you'll get to experience special benefits, like waived requirements, and have access to additional resources like a special session of Business 1000.
2. Go to class!
In college, it may be tempting to skip class, but attendance is key for many reasons. Oftentimes, you’ll find it’s part of your grade. But even if it’s not, going to class is one of the best ways you can set yourself up for success in business school. It allows you to learn the material, ask questions and connect with your classmates. All of these things will help you have a more enjoyable college experience and give your GPA a boost.
Showing up to class is also important if you want to build relationships with your professors (which you should!) If you’re absent, they’ll notice. But if you show up consistently, they’ll notice.
3. Don’t feel pressure to decide right away
Maybe you’re a student who knows you want to pursue business but isn’t sure what major is right for you. That’s okay! At the Wilson College of Business, the business core gives you the flexibility to discover what fits you best. You’ll go through a variety of courses quickly, which will help you determine whether human resource management, organizational leadership, finance or something else is the best path for you.
Did you already declare a major within the Wilson College of Business at UNI? That’s also fine! Switching or adding a major is easy. Just talk to your advisor.
4. Get involved early
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to wait to get involved with student clubs or organizations. Being involved is part of the college experience — you should do it right away! Joining a club is one of the best ways to build lifelong friendships and expand your network. You can join academic clubs — like the Accounting Club or Entrepreneurship Club — or purely recreational, such as the Pickleball Club or Book Lovers. No matter your interest, you should be able to find a couple or several organizations to join among the University of Northern Iowa’s 200+ options.
Holding an officer position (like secretary or president) in a group is also a great resume builder. Future employers will see that you can balance a full course load with additional activities outside the classroom and be impressed by your leadership.
5. Connect with your professors.
Don’t be intimidated by your professors, even if you don’t understand a concept from class. Faculty members genuinely want to get to know you and support your success. So introduce yourself in class, and go to their office hours. It will leave a lasting impression on them, and this could help you with letters of recommendation, references, and job and internship opportunities later on.
6. Build your resume
Something that will set you apart from other job seekers upon graduation is the strength of your resume. This is something you can work on building right away as a first-year business student. Seek opportunities like internships, study abroad programs and other special projects that will help you sharpen your skills and showcase your strengths.
7. Don't be afraid to ask questions in class
Asking questions in class can feel embarrassing because it feels like admitting you don’t know something. But odds are someone else in class has the exact same question as you do — you’re just choosing to get the information you need to improve your understanding. Being someone who asks questions can help your grade in numerous ways, as it can boost your participation score and improve your test results.
8. Experience an academic competition
No matter what business major you choose, there’s bound to be a relevant case competition you can tackle. These academic competitions are a chance to apply concepts you’ve learned in the classroom, while strengthening skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication. They look great on a resume, and they give you a chance to network with real-world professionals. They’re also just fun!
9. Meet with your advisor.
Your advisor is a key player in your college success. They’ll help you map out your four-year plan and show you how to maximize your credits, even if you’re still exploring majors in business. If your advisor has any length of experience, they will have seen a lot of students, giving them additional insight into how you can make the most of your experience. They also are one more valuable resource you can go to when you need some extra support.
10. Build your soft skills
If you think employers are only looking for book smarts, you’d be wrong. Soft skills like communication and critical thinking are just as valuable. Some schools overlook the importance of instilling these in their graduates — but not the Wilson College of Business. As a UNI student, you should take full advantage of the Professional Readiness Program. It helps you build the skills, confidence and connections that employers look for — starting your very first semester.
Start your journey with the Wilson College of Business
With all these tips in mind, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge the first year of business school throws at you! As a top-ranked business school, the Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa is the right place to help you reach your goals, no matter how lofty they may seem.
Find out more about the various degrees offered by the Wilson College of Business, and start your application today!
