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.

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
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
     
Insurance
  • Claims administration
  • Estate planning/investment
  • Insurance sales, brokerage    
  • Risk management
  • Underwriting
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
Sustainable Plant Systems
  • Agri-chemical sales
  • Agronomist/horticulturist
  • Molecular biology
  • Plant science
  • Research in breeding and genetics
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

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.

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.