Metadata
Title
Your path to a career in business
Category
undergraduate
UUID
913f01c3b82e45eb87addc4802dff838
Source URL
https://undergrad.osu.edu/majors-and-academics/more-ways-to-explore/pathway/1
Parent URL
https://undergrad.osu.edu/majors-and-academics/more-ways-to-explore
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T21:04:19+00:00
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Your path to a career in business

Source: https://undergrad.osu.edu/majors-and-academics/more-ways-to-explore/pathway/1 Parent: https://undergrad.osu.edu/majors-and-academics/more-ways-to-explore

Your path to a career in business

There is no one path to a career in business because the business world attracts college graduates from a range of academic backgrounds. Each year at Ohio State, more than 5,000 graduates begin careers in business and nearly two-thirds of those graduates come from the arts and sciences, agriculture, education and human ecology, and nearly every other discipline at the university.

And contrary to popular belief, choosing a major and deciding on a career are not the same thing. When you choose your major, you are not limiting yourself to one career. Likewise, choosing your career does not limit you to one major. Browse the majors in this pathway to see the many routes you can take at Ohio State to a career in business.

Majors in the business pathway

Major
Accounting
Career possibilities - Accountant, auditor, financial analyst (near term) - CEO, CFO, senior executive, partner (long term)
Actuarial Science
Career possibilities - Banks, investment firms, public accounting firms - Insurance industry - Government - Strategic management
Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Career possibilities - Commodity broker/merchandiser - Financial analysis/planning - International trade - Loan officer - Marketing/sales management
Agricultural Communication
Career possibilities - Public relations - Sales, advertising
Agricultural Systems Management
Career possibilities - Grain handling operations supervisor - Industry business management - Marketing and merchandising representative
Arabic
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Aviation
Career possibilities Aviation Management specialization in Fisher College of Business - Business analyst - Flight operations and support - Logistics analyst - Transportation management
Chinese
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Communication
Career possibilities Strategic Communication track - Advertising - Communication campaign and information management - Communication consultant - Corporate communication - Media consultant/buyer - Public relations - Sales/marketing
Construction Systems Management
Career possibilities - Project management and scheduling - Purchasing, sales, estimating - Residential and commercial construction
Consumer and Family Financial Services
Career possibilities - Banking - Customer relations specialist - Financial planner - Financial analyst - Investment advisor - Loan officer
Economics
Career possibilities Economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences - Actuary - Banking - Benefits administration - Economic forecasting - Financial analysis/planning - Insurance underwriter - Market research - Real estate - Retail - Retirement and estate planning - Stock/commodities brokerage - Stock market or credit analysis
Economics – Business
Career possibilities Economics specialization in the Fisher College of Business - Banking and financial services - Consulting - Government - Insurance industry - Non-profit organizations
Education – Technical Education and Training
Career possibilities Business Education Teacher Education track - Business education (grades 7–12) - Computer technology instruction - Marketing/accounting education - Workforce development and education
English
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability
Career possibilities - City or regional planner - Corporate sustainability manager - Economic development specialist - Green business entrepreneur - International nonprofit development
Environmental Policy and Decision Making
Career possibilities - Environmental attorney - Environmental consultant - Environmental policy analyst - Lobbyist - Non-profit program coordinator
Fashion and Retail Studies
Career possibilities - Buyer - Fashion/interiors consulting - Product development - Retail management - Technical design - Visual merchandiser
Finance
Career possibilities - Commercial, investment banking - Financial management - Stock brokerage/investments
Food Business Management
Career possibilities - Consumer affairs specialist - Food safety management - Market research - Marketing/sales management
French
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
German
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Horticulture and Crop Science
Career possibilities - Agri-chemical sales - Agronomist/horticulturist - Molecular biology - Plant science - Research in breeding and genetics
Hospitality Management
Career possibilities - Catering management - Club/hotel/restaurant/resort management - Conference/meeting sales management - Food and beverage management - Guest services - Special events planning
Human Nutrition
Career possibilities Nutrition in Industry specialization - Government policy/regulation/lobbying - Nutrition marketing - Public relations - Sales for nutritional, pharmaceutical and other health care products
Human Resources
Career possibilities - Compensation and benefits - Employee relations - Human resources - Organizational development - Recruitment and staffing
Information Systems
Career possibilities - Application development - Database administration - Information systems management - Systems analysis - Technical sales
International Business
Career possibilities - Commercial banking - International finance - International marketing - International trade - Sales
Italian
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Japanese
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Korean
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Linguistics
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Logistics Management
Career possibilities - Distribution/logistics analysis - Logistics consulting - Management consulting - Transportation/warehouse management
Marketing
Career possibilities - Customer service - Marketing research - Merchandising - Product development - Promotion and advertising - Sales - Sales/brand management
Modern Greek
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Natural Resource Management
Career possibilities - Environmental and naturalist educator - Land manager - Outdoor recreation and leadership coordinator - Park ranger - Sustainable foods organizer - Urban food system analyst
Operations Management
Career possibilities - Business planning - Management and supervision - Process analysis and design - Purchasing management - Quality management
Portuguese
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Professional Golf Management
Career possibilities - Food and beverage management - Golf course management - PGA professional - Sales
Public Management, Leadership and Policy
Career possibilities - Business development - Government administration - Lobbying - Management consulting - Non-profit management - Project management
Public Policy Analysis
Career possibilities - Budget analysis - Financial analysis - Government auditing/accounting - Non-profit financial management - Policy advising - Polling and research
Real Estate and Urban Analysis
Career possibilities - Property management - Real estate appraisal, brokerage/finance, development, sales
Russian
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Spanish
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
University Exploration – Behavior, Culture and Context Exploration
Career possibilities - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Major Career possibilities
Accounting - Accountant, auditor, financial analyst (near term) - CEO, CFO, senior executive, partner (long term)
Actuarial Science - Banks, investment firms, public accounting firms - Insurance industry - Government - Strategic management
Agribusiness and Applied Economics - Commodity broker/merchandiser - Financial analysis/planning - International trade - Loan officer - Marketing/sales management
Agricultural Communication - Public relations - Sales, advertising
Agricultural Systems Management - Grain handling operations supervisor - Industry business management - Marketing and merchandising representative
Arabic - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Aviation Aviation Management specialization in Fisher College of Business - Business analyst - Flight operations and support - Logistics analyst - Transportation management
Chinese - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Communication Strategic Communication track - Advertising - Communication campaign and information management - Communication consultant - Corporate communication - Media consultant/buyer - Public relations - Sales/marketing
Construction Systems Management - Project management and scheduling - Purchasing, sales, estimating - Residential and commercial construction
Consumer and Family Financial Services - Banking - Customer relations specialist - Financial planner - Financial analyst - Investment advisor - Loan officer
Economics Economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences - Actuary - Banking - Benefits administration - Economic forecasting - Financial analysis/planning - Insurance underwriter - Market research - Real estate - Retail - Retirement and estate planning - Stock/commodities brokerage - Stock market or credit analysis
Economics – Business Economics specialization in the Fisher College of Business - Banking and financial services - Consulting - Government - Insurance industry - Non-profit organizations
Education – Technical Education and Training Business Education Teacher Education track - Business education (grades 7–12) - Computer technology instruction - Marketing/accounting education - Workforce development and education
English - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability - City or regional planner - Corporate sustainability manager - Economic development specialist - Green business entrepreneur - International nonprofit development
Environmental Policy and Decision Making - Environmental attorney - Environmental consultant - Environmental policy analyst - Lobbyist - Non-profit program coordinator
Fashion and Retail Studies - Buyer - Fashion/interiors consulting - Product development - Retail management - Technical design - Visual merchandiser
Finance - Commercial, investment banking - Financial management - Stock brokerage/investments
Food Business Management - Consumer affairs specialist - Food safety management - Market research - Marketing/sales management
French - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
German - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Hebrew and Jewish Studies - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Horticulture and Crop Science - Agri-chemical sales - Agronomist/horticulturist - Molecular biology - Plant science - Research in breeding and genetics
Hospitality Management - Catering management - Club/hotel/restaurant/resort management - Conference/meeting sales management - Food and beverage management - Guest services - Special events planning
Human Nutrition Nutrition in Industry specialization - Government policy/regulation/lobbying - Nutrition marketing - Public relations - Sales for nutritional, pharmaceutical and other health care products
Human Resources - Compensation and benefits - Employee relations - Human resources - Organizational development - Recruitment and staffing
Information Systems - Application development - Database administration - Information systems management - Systems analysis - Technical sales
International Business - Commercial banking - International finance - International marketing - International trade - Sales
Italian - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Japanese - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Korean - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Linguistics - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Logistics Management - Distribution/logistics analysis - Logistics consulting - Management consulting - Transportation/warehouse management
Marketing - Customer service - Marketing research - Merchandising - Product development - Promotion and advertising - Sales - Sales/brand management
Modern Greek - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Natural Resource Management - Environmental and naturalist educator - Land manager - Outdoor recreation and leadership coordinator - Park ranger - Sustainable foods organizer - Urban food system analyst
Operations Management - Business planning - Management and supervision - Process analysis and design - Purchasing management - Quality management
Portuguese - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Professional Golf Management - Food and beverage management - Golf course management - PGA professional - Sales
Public Management, Leadership and Policy - Business development - Government administration - Lobbying - Management consulting - Non-profit management - Project management
Public Policy Analysis - Budget analysis - Financial analysis - Government auditing/accounting - Non-profit financial management - Policy advising - Polling and research
Real Estate and Urban Analysis - Property management - Real estate appraisal, brokerage/finance, development, sales
Russian - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
Spanish - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer
University Exploration – Behavior, Culture and Context Exploration - Editing, publishing, advertising - Industrial research and development - International business representative - Radio and TV broadcasting, journalism - Speech, language and information technologies specialist - Translator - Writer

Residential communities

Students pursuing a business degree at Ohio State have many learning and social opportunities beyond the classroom.

Living-learning communities are residential experiences in which students of the same academic program or interest reside in the same residence hall. These communities feature faculty interaction, special programming and community service. Ohio State offers the following business-related learning communities:

The Ohio State Scholars Program brings together high ability students in academically stimulating, close-knit communities. Each program emphasizes its own specific academic program, career or special interest. Scholars programs designed for students interested in business include Business Scholars and Entreprenuership and Innovation Scholars.

Degrees available at regional campuses

At Ohio State's regional campuses, students receive the same comprehensive education that they would receive on the Columbus campus. Courses at regional campuses are offered to meet the needs of traditional and nontraditional students, and students can begin any Ohio State degree at any campus. Some programs — like the bachelor's degree in business administration — can even be completed at a regional campus.

Learn more at fisher.osu.edu/undergraduate/regional-programs.