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What can I do with a business degree?

An undergraduate degree from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business opens doors to new possibilities. Our students learn the fundamentals of business while having the flexibility to customize their degree experience to achieve their career goals. No matter which of our 30+ business degrees you choose, you’ll gain the resources, education, and network to launch and sustain the career of your dreams.

Your unique path

Business is a dynamic field of study that prepares you to pursue a variety of different careers. Choosing a business major depends on a variety of factors, including your interests, background, and career aspirations. Whether you choose to pursue one business major or enroll in concurrent degrees, you’ll gain tools to navigate what’s next and excel at whatever you decide to do. W. P. Carey students receive dedicated support from professional advising staff throughout their time in school.

Finding a degree that fits your goals

Your W. P. Carey journey is unique to you and your goals, with different choices and options for customization along the way. Between minors, certificates, and concurrent degrees, you can ensure you get the exact education tailored for your future career path. The degree in marketing features two specializations — digital and integrated marketing communications, and professional sales — to narrow your focus and help you gain specialized skills.

The Bachelor of Arts in applied business and technology solutions provides a broad look at many different areas of business. It has a focus on real-world, working experience, making it perfect for those returning to school from the workforce, as well as those looking to gain experience through hands-on classes and internships. With a focus on fundamentals and applied practice, this degree program leads well to a management career in any number of industries and can help those who have already entered the workforce gain promotions and advance their career.

If the idea of starting and owning your own business intrigues you, the Bachelor of Arts in entrepreneurial leadership can get you there. This program is designed to prepare you to start and lead entrepreneurial ventures, whether you have dreams of being a small business owner or working at a startup. The focus on entrepreneurship as well as leadership skills makes it a great starting point for a career in management as well.

Easily continue your education

Some students may choose to further their education before heading into the workforce. That process is made simple at W. P. Carey, which offers a variety of graduate programs that connect to and enhance business undergraduate degrees. You also have the option of choosing an accelerated program, which allows you to obtain a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years. For example, the accountancy undergraduate program can be paired with the master’s in accountancy or the master’s in taxation.

W. P. Carey Forward is a graduate education discovery and recruitment program where undergraduate students throughout Arizona State University can explore specialized master’s degrees. Students who attend an event will receive an application waiver and other benefits. Join us to get your questions answered! First-year, sophomore, junior, and senior students are welcome.

Exploring business careers

It’s OK if you’re not entirely sure where you want your career to go at this time. The beginning of your career in business is the perfect time for exploration and experimentation with different positions, industries, and skills.

“By focusing on learning skills or industries that are interesting, you can prove value for future roles without worrying about taking the ‘correct’ path,” says alumnus Patrick Seip (BS Economics ’15, MBA ’19). “This approach allows you to explore different career paths and gain exposure to diverse experiences and perspectives.”

Many students expect that, after graduation, their career will follow a strict path leading directly to their dream job, but that often isn’t the case. “Fulfilling careers are rarely a straight line, and never expressing what you fully want/need will lead to plenty of false summits. Be true to the little voice in your heart and mind,” says alumnus Juan Kingsbury (BS Global Business ’04).

Preparing for what’s next

What you learn in class is only a part of how W. P. Carey prepares you for your future business career. There are many opportunities outside of the classroom to gain knowledge and professional experience.

Clubs and organizations

There are 40+ business clubs and organizations at W. P. Carey for you to meet like-minded students with similar interests and ambitions. These organizations provide leadership opportunities, networking, professional development, and industry exposure. Students are also encouraged to start their own club if they see an opening.

The Sports Business Association offers students who are interested in pursuing a career in sports a chance to network with those in the industry, taking advantage of the numerous professional sports teams located in the Phoenix area. These invaluable connections can lead to internships or job opportunities in the future.

For students with overflowing W. P. Carey pride, the Business Ambassadors program offers an opportunity to meet with high school juniors and seniors to talk about your experiences at ASU and share what makes W. P. Carey so special.

Internships

W. P. Carey attracts some of the biggest and best organizations to recruit our students for internship opportunities. We make it easy for students to find internships through online resources and on-campus events. Internships are a chance for you to gain invaluable working experience that will give you a leg up in the job market after graduation.

“Overall, one of the most important aspects of my investment banking internship at B of A Merrill Lynch was seeing concepts taught in my finance classes put into practice,” says Parker Rasmussen (BS Finance ’18). “Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of the principles taught to me in the semesters leading to my internship, but the finance classes I took post-internship felt more applicable. Having firsthand experience made me a better student, which helped me be a more effective full-time employee after graduating.”

Real-world experience

W. P. Carey offers you many opportunities to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-life situations for invaluable experience. The New Venture Group is a management consulting group comprising business students who work with real clients to help businesses realize their potential.

Those with a strong interest in entrepreneurship and working with underserved communities may also be interested in the Arizona Microcredit Initiative, which supports small ventures through loans, consulting, and education.

Career guidance at W. P. Carey

Whether you’re looking for more information about potential career paths related to your major or want guidance on how to get to your dream job, the W. P. Carey Career Services Center has everything you need to get started.

“You’ve spent all this money to attend one of the world’s greatest universities; you should make sure that you are getting the most out of your money spent,” says Matthew Johnson (BS Marketing & Finance ’20). “The resource that has been the biggest help in furthering my career has been the W. P. Carey Career Services Center. They help students and Sun Devil alumni transition from university life into professional life.”

With career coaching and classes throughout your undergraduate program, you’ll access relevant tools to succeed in a range of industries and functions. Coaches will help you map out a plan for success, offer guidance, and answer your questions along the way.

The W. P. Carey Career Services Centers also offers resources like online job and internship listings, career fairs, and events that allow you to hear from business leaders and build your network. Resources are also available even after you graduate, as you are a W. P. Carey Sun Devil for life.