Business School Edge

Where Do I Start?

2008-06-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

You’ve got business fever, and know that an exciting career as an executive is right for you. But first, you need to take that next step—earn a business degree. But how to begin? We’re here to help. Below you’ll find the Who, Why, What, Where and How of earning your business degree.

Who

You, of course, that’s who. What do you want out of a business degree? Do you have a career path in mind? Take some time to consider things. What educational environment do you excel in? Are you at your best attending lectures and engaging in discussion, or do you work best at home in front of the computer? Do you need to work while you are going to school? If so, how long can you take to earn your degree? Does the career path you are considering require a graduate degree?

All of these are important factors to consider before moving forward. Earning a business degree is an extensive commitment. Be sure that you are prepared to go the distance.

Why

This is important: WHY do you want a degree in business? Are you fulfilling a life-long dream, or simply following the expectations of your parents or friends? Are you hoping for a lucrative career and a business degree is the next step down that path? Whatever your reason, if you are doing it for yourself and the dreams you hold for your life, you are more likely to succeed.

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Five Unusual Careers For The Business School Graduate

2008-06-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

The world of business is changing rapidly—and so are the careers available to business school graduates. The truth is, every company out there is a business, and they all need good business managers. But not every business school graduate wants to take a traditionally management path—some business grads prefer to work in the distant corners of the business world, taking their hard-fought business schools and applying them in unusual careers. If a traditional career in business isn’t for you, don’t worry! There are plenty of odd and unusual business careers available. Here are just a few of the most interesting.

Life Coach

Professional athletes have an advantage—they have an expert in the wings, giving them advice, suggestions, and even commands to help them meet their goals. Why should it only be athletes that benefit from coaching? Life Coaches are individuals that are experts in their field who provide that same service to ordinary folks. A business school graduate with some real-life experience can take their expertise and help guide others through difficult periods of their life. Life Coaches are hired by people considering career changes, looking to get ahead in their current career, or who feel stuck and want to shake things up. Life Coaches aren’t therapists—they are facilitators. They encourage, prod, and push people into moving forward—but only in the direction they WANT to go. Life Coaches are also hired by corporations to help improve staff morale. But the best news is that a successful Life Coach can easily earn six figures.

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Interviewing For a Business Scholarship

2008-05-14T10:17:00.001-07:00

You’ve applied for a business school scholarship and made it to the interview stage. Now it’s time to prepare for the interview.

Practice with a Friend
Anticipate questions from the interview and practice with a friend or colleague. Pay attention to eye contact and a pleasant speaking volume.

Do Your Research
Find out about the organization or individual sponsoring the scholarship. Do you agree with their mission? How does it apply to you? Knowing basic knowledge about a sponsoring agency shows that you appreciate the scholarship opportunity.

Arrive Early
First impressions begin with arrival. It’s best to arrive 10 minutes before the interview is to take place. Find out exactly where you need to be. Anticipate weather and traffic and plan accordingly. If you know you’re going to be late, contact someone and let them know your estimated time of arrival.

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How to Apply For a Business Scholarship

2008-05-14T10:16:00.001-07:00

Scholarships can be an important factor in attending and paying for business school. Here’s a guide to help you prepare for applying for a scholarship.

Complete an Application (Print or Online)
Everything starts with the scholarship application. Most schools will offer an application in both print and online formats. Choose the format that is most comfortable to you. If you decide on a print application, be sure to print legibly with black or blue ink.

Scholarship Requirements
Check the eligibility requirements for a scholarship before you put in the time and effort to apply. Do you meet the criteria? If you don’t, will you meet it in the future? If you’re in doubt about specific requirements, contact the entity sponsoring the scholarship with your questions.

Follow Instructions
Read the scholarship application carefully and follow all of the instructions. Include only requested items or materials with you application packet.'

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Business School Admission Requirements and Process

2008-05-14T10:15:00.001-07:00

Are you ready to apply to business school? Do you meet all the necessary requirements? Here's a helpful guide to the process.

Finish Your Undergraduate Degree
Do you have a bachelor’s degree? Business schools require an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Most students who apply to business school have an undergraduate background in business coursework. If you don’t have a business-related degree or major, you can still apply to business school but you may be required to take additional coursework.

Take the GMAT
Have you taken the Graduate Management Admission Test? Business schools require applicants to successfully pass the GMAT before acceptance and enrollment into an MBA or similar program. The GMAT is a standardized test that measures your ability to succeed in a graduate school setting. Some programs may allow you to substitute the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in place of the GMAT.

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35 Things To Avoid At Your Job Interview

2008-05-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

As with everything in life, it can be very helpful to know NOT what to do just as much as what to do! If you’re new to job hunting, you've probably been reading about how to act during a job interview. You should also be studying how not to act.

If there’s a common complaint among many hiring agents and human resources professionals, it’s how many of today’s generation of job hunters show up for job interviews unprepared or come with a sense of entitlement. While confidence is never a bad thing, it’s not always a good idea to show up to a job interview with the wrong attitude.

Here are 35 Things To Avoid At Your Job Interview

1. Show up unprepared: Most candidates have several days to prepare for a job interview. This is plenty of time to freshen up your resume and references, and learn everything you can about the company and job for which you’re applying. Knowing the business and its major players is great way to give you the edge over other candidates.

2. Pay little attention to your appearance: Think your appearance doesn’t count? Think again! The trend may be for business casual, but it’s still proper business etiquette to wear a suit. When it comes to the job interview, it’s all about the first impression. The company wants to hire the best person to represent the business, mohawked and hardwared individuals usually don’t fit the description.

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21 Business Skills Needed To Succeed

2008-05-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

The greatest people in business have certain attributes in common. Several personal qualities are important, like a thirst for continuous education, personal drive and motivation, strong goals and ambition, clear vision, and always a great deal of passion.

Beyond those personal qualities though, what makes a successful business person stand out from the crowd? Here are 21 business skills you need if you want to get ahead:

Communication

Written - Most people in business spend a lot of time communicating in writing. While the inter-office memo and the fax are old hat, you will spend a good few hours a day fighting your inbox. Add to this reports, white papers, proposals and resumes, it's certain you will need to sharpen your word power to succeed.
Social Networking - We are not all social gadflys, some of us struggle to make small talk. It is a key skill to learn though, it is true what they say, sometimes it is more who you know than what

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Online Business Schools: Why Study Online

2008-05-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

So, you already dove into the workforce, and have a good job you enjoy. But you know that you can't climb the corporate ladder without earning a business degree. So how can you have the best of both worlds and keep that good job while earning your degree? Well, you can now earn your degree online.

Over the past few years, internet business schools have soared. Colleges throughout the United States are now offering online education, including an online business degree. This has enabled people already in the workforce the option of obtaining a degree they once though unattainable.

To go to an online business school, you need to go through the same application process as you would with any degree. Once you’ve been accepted into the school and your coursework begins, you’ll likely receive an on line business syllabus outlining the course. For your online business degree coursework, you’ll likely have weekly assignments due (most often papers) and regular tests. Much like in the regular classroom, an online business school holds students to the same standards as a traditional classroom degree. But the added flexibility of being able to work your school schedule around your work schedule and other life commitments makes getting an internet business school particularly appealing to already employed adults.

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Knowledge is Power: The Business of Information

2007-10-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in a business degree, you are probably also considering a business specialty. Currently in high demand and offering a substantial starting salaries are positions in the field of Knowledge Management.

In order for the staff of a corporation to function properly, they must have access to information they need. Getting information to the staff of a small organization is challenging, and it’s easy imagine how difficult it can be for companies that have thousands of employees spread across the globe to distribute information effectively. Who ensures that information is disseminated properly throughout a corporation? Often, this is the responsibility of a business degree graduate with a specialty in Knowledge Management.

The World of Business Education: Available Degree Programs

2007-10-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

The world of business is wide and diverse. How do you navigate this world and find the best career for you? Here is a "map" of the many facets of the corporate world, and of the business degrees currently available.

Business Diploma and Certificate Programs

A Business certificate is a six to twelve month program that provides training in business fundamentals. Earning this certificate may lead to promotional opportunities as well as entry-level employment in business, industry and non-profit organizations. Business students may choose to opt for general management courses or specialize in human resource management, finance, global leadership or marketing.

Starting Salaries for Business School Graduates

2007-10-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Charles Schwab said, "The man who does not work for the love of work but only for money is not likely to make money nor find much fun in life." While it's always good to love the work you do, it's also critical to make a living. Earning a business degree is the first step to a stable and lucrative career.

With your completed degree in business administration, you can expect substantial starting salaries. However, salaries vary considerably based on which degree you have and what area of business you choose to pursue. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect for each Business degree currently available.

Should You Get Your Business Degree Online?

2007-10-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

So, you have already dipped your toe in the business pool, and have a good job you enjoy. But you know that you can't climb the corporate ladder without earning a business degree. So how can you have the best of both worlds and keep that good job while earning your degree? Well, you can now earn your degree online.

Over the past few years, online degree programs have soared. Colleges throughout the United States are now offering online education, including an online business degree. This has enabled people already in the workforce the option of obtaining a degree they once though unattainable.

Paying For Your Business Degree

2007-10-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Pin stripes suit you, you dream of your first IPO, and you think profit and loss reports make good reading. If this sounds like you, then you are destined to work in the world of business, and need to earn a business degree.

The decision to earn a degree in business is an extremely important one. The specialized education and training will provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to be successful in the business world. But how will you pay for it?

Careers In Business

2007-10-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

In order to succeed in business, you need innovation and creativity. If you’ve decided to work in the corporate world, that means that you are invested in securing success—both your own success, and that of the organization you work for. But there are nearly as many areas of business as there are businesses. In order to bring your own personal creativity and vision to a company, you need to love what you do. So what field of business best suits your skills and personality?

Here are some of the careers and study paths available in the world of business.