Vol. 1 Issue 2

What I Wish I Would’ve Known

Author: Jacob Thorpe & Matthew Stradley

College can be stressful. For many students, beginning college is stepping into the unknown. Students may feel overwhelmed as they try to maneuver all the resources available to them.

Because of this, the following is a compiled list of resources designed to help all pre-management students feel more prepared as they begin their academic journey here at Brigham Young University and the Marriott School of Business.

So here it is, your one-stop list of useful, everyday resources to help you navigate life as a pre-management student.

MAJOR

What majors are offered at the Marriott School of Business?

The Marriott School has many majors that could potentially fit your skill set. These majors fall under five categories:

  1. Finance
  2. Accounting
  3. Management*
  4. Information Systems
  5. Experience Industry Management

The management major offers six different emphases:

  1. General Business
  2. Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
  3. Global Supply Chain
  4. Strategy
  5. Entrepreneurship
  6. Marketing

For more information on these majors, you can visit the career center on the 4th floor of the Tanner building or you can follow this link: https://marriottschool.byu.edu/recruiter/index/majors

PREREQUISITES

What classes do I need to take?

To apply to the business school, you will need to take some classes that serve as prerequisites. Though challenging, these classes provide the foundation upon which you will build during your studies. The professors of these classes are some of the best in the school.

Performing to the best of your ability is crucial, as your prerequisite GPA will be one of the factors the admissions board will weigh when they are deciding who they will accept into the various Marriott School majors. Depending on the major, your prerequisites could be different; however, the classes listed below are required for application to every program in the Marriott School.

For more information see:

https://marriottschool.byu.edu/advisement/applying/prerequisites/courses

  • ACC 200- Principles of Accounting
  • FIN 201- Principles of Finance
  • BUSM 241- Marketing Management
  • IS 110- Spreadsheets Business Analysis
  • ECON 110- Principles of Economics

ADMISSIONS

RESUME …. You need one!

How do I make my resume look professional?

A resume includes your academic highlights, your work experience, and volunteer, service, and other life experiences (e.g. who you are, your accomplishments, what you’re passionate about). In the professional world, your resume shows employers your qualifications and is their first glimpse at you; in the Marriott School, your resume is a key document in applying and being accepted as a Marriott School student.

  • The BYU Marriott School of Business has a set Resume Guide. Follow this guide when creating a resume to apply for any given Marriott School of Business major.
  • The Marriott School also has a pdf of excellent resume examples following their style guide. To review these examples, click here.
  • LinkedIn — If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, get one! It serves as your resume for all future employers to see. LinkedIn is another great way to network with other professionals.

INFLUENTIAL CLASSES

What classes should I take that will profoundly influence my life/professional development?

The following classes may or may not be included in your chosen major’s core classes; however, they have been influential in the lives of the students who have taken them. Consider taking some of these classes to gain a professional and educational edge on others:

  • M COM 320 (Communication in Organizational Settings)
  • BUS M 371R (Entrepreneurship Lecture Series)
  • ECON 110 (Principles of Finance)
  • BUS M 494 (On Campus Internship–OCI)
  • FIN 200 (Personal Finance)
  • STDEV 150 (Public Speaking)
  • BUS M 490R (Writing for the Business Press)

HOMEWORK

Where can I go to get help with homework?

The business prerequisites give quite a substantial amount of homework. These classes can certainly stretch you, but you are not without resources. The labs are a very underutilized tool. There, you can study with TA’s who will assist you in mastering your subject. Utilize these tools and you’ll do just fine!

  • Accounting Lab (https://lib.byu.edu/faq/351185/)
  • Finance Lab
  • Math Lab (https://math.byu.edu/new/courses-services/math-lab/)
  • Econ Lab
  • Reading & Writing Center (http://writingcenter.byu.edu/)
  • Subject Librarians (https://lib.byu.edu/faq/183541/)
  • Study groups — go online to reserve a room at the library or Tanner Building

CLUBS AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

What can a club do for me?

Clubs are a unique opportunity to network and gain valuable experience. Many employers weigh student involvement very heavily when deciding on job applicants. Through these clubs you will be able to participate in real-life business situations, visit intimately with renowned professionals and professors, and build valuable relationships. The Marriott School has over 40 clubs that you can choose from.

Here is a link to a list of all the clubs within the Marriott School: https://marriottschool.byu.edu/clubs/directory

If you are a woman interested in business, join the Women in Business club. You will find mentors and friends who will support you through your time at the Marriott School.

Each Tuesday night is Clubs’ Night. Through clubs, you will have the chance to not only gain a professional edge, but also meet other students and build a social network.

A list of all BYU clubs can be found at https://byusa.byu.edu/articles/clubs-night.

Try a club! Each club will have unique leadership opportunities. If a club piques your interest, get involved. If there is a club that you would like to see created, talk to the Marriott Student Council.

How can I have a voice at the Marriott School?

The Student Council is the umbrella organization for more than 2,500 Marriott School students and 37 clubs. They represent the interests of the Marriott School student body by assisting new and existing clubs, planning service activities, and promoting student engagement. To learn more or to get involved, contact the Student Council president, Ryan Wade.

INTERNSHIPS

Where can I go to get an internship or summer job?

Internships are a valuable source of future employment. Not only can you obtain valuable work experience, but these internships will often develop into potential careers in your field of choice. Getting an internship can be stressful, but you can use the following resources to help you find the perfect fit for you.

FUTURE

How can I get involved to make connections now and network for my future professional life?

Along with clubs which help you build a network of students and professionals, the following resources provide excellent ways to get involved on campus and network with individuals who may help you in your future job search:

  • Career Fair – Companies will come and set up booths in the ballroom of the Wilkinson Center. Come prepared with resumes and look your best! You’ll get interviews, potential internships, and maybe even a job!
  • STEM Fair – This career fair is geared more towards engineering and science majors; it is still a great resource for networking or getting a business job with one of these companies.
  • The Event — Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? The Event connects students with local startups. Plus, you can seek help for your own startup.

Where can I go to find employment?

Some students know exactly what they want to be when they “grow up” (e.g., an accountant, a doctor, an entrepreneur); but others just want a job they can enjoy with enough pay to provide for their families.

How do you figure out what you’re going to do with your life?

The following are some invaluable resources offered by BYU:

Hopefully, you feel a little more at ease as a pre-management student at the Marriott School of Business. Now, you should not have any regrets about things you wished you had known about sooner. Take full advantage of all the useful resources available to you!

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