The Business Management Major

Upon graduation, School of Business majors will receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Administration with a major in whichever Business concentration they choose. In addition to general education coursework, students complete a core set of courses in each business discipline (Accounting, Business Law, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Operations & Information Management), along with additional courses for their business major to develop a well rounded business education.

At the core of the Management major is coursework with an emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and strategic vision, three of the most prized assets of any successful business leader. Management majors are prepared to understand the “big picture” rather than focus on highly specialized, often rapidly changing, areas of study. Such preparation is especially crucial for those who see themselves as entrepreneurs or who see themselves working in the world of international business. Both of these areas require an ability to think and act on one’s own with a confidence that only comes from an ability to see and appreciate what most highly focused specialists cannot.

Management majors choose a concentration in either entrepreneurship or international business.

Entrepreneurship Concentration ~ Most people are surprised to learn that entrepreneurial companies are at the core of economies throughout the world. In the United States, as well as in the State of Connecticut, entrepreneurial firms employ nearly 60% of our workforce, account for 66% of all job growth, and produce half of our country’s gross domestic product. Some of the world’s largest companies are privately-held and family run. The concentration in Entrepreneurship recognizes this significant trend and prepares students for a variety of career opportunities, such as starting their own new venture; taking over, or increasing involvement in their family’s business; opening a new franchise; or working in an existing entrepreneurial firm. Companies also value employees who can think entrepreneurially as those who can start up a new division or move a product into a new market.

International Business ~ In today’s global world, it is truly hard to imagine a business career that is not touched, in some way, by what occurs beyond our national borders. And yet, many still believe that business is only done one way — the American way. Despite this view, the vast majority of major growth opportunities exist in other countries and cultures. Businesses serious about being global players recognize this and are in need of well-trained individuals who have the skills necessary to transverse our borders. While language skills can be important for some long-term assignments, in many cases all that is needed is a willingness to learn a new language, since firms regularly provide such training. The International Business concentration recognizes this trend and prepares students for a variety of opportunities, such as representing multinational firms in establishing new markets; specializing in the field of import/export; coordinating international subsidiaries including new start-ups; or serving as liaison between an American or international parent firm and one of its international locations.