Business School Student Questions (Need Advice)

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>Hello, I'm new to this forum.</p>

<p>I just want to say that I think its great that forums like this exist. I will try other forums, websites as well, but I thought to start here.</p>

<p>Mainly because, sometimes in life its hard to ask questions to other people because a person (like me) may rightfully feel intimidated or scared to ask these questions in person face-to-face. And In my case I have a lot to fear. Fear of embarrassment.</p>

<p>I have a series of questions or Problems-Learning Issues. First let me talk about who I am and my situation.</p>

<p>I’m 27 years old and I’m returning to undergad business school in the spring of 2011. I don’t consider myself to be a smart person from an academic knowledge perspective as a business school student. My level of study skills and my knowledge and experience as a student, I have a so so track record.</p>

<p>I would even go as far as saying that I'm terrified that people will find out that I'm VERY DUMB.</p>

<p>My major is international business. I know the goal is to EARN A DIPLOMA/DEGREE so that i can GET A JOB start a career and compete.</p>

<p>I understand all that, but as far as my knowledge and experience in business, the world or what business is, I have to admit I’m a dumb person with a so-so track record academically.</p>

<p>I have tried to find self help book titles that would help a person like myself and I have had alittle luck but not a lot.</p>

<p>1) Writing About Business To Economics & Business Journalism– Terri Thompson</p>

<p>I like this book specifically because even though its aimed at smart people who want to be business journalists it has been the first book that i have read that attempts to tie economics, politics, news, business history, government institutions, business concepts, international business together in a mostly coherent way. That emphasizes “hey reader you need to learn this.” I now get it that business concepts are all a series of complicated interconnected network of topics and basically it ATTEMPTS to explain where does wall street meet main street from a business perspective. Basically it’s a collection of college thesis’ from top level business journalist students at Columbia university on different topics. But the way it presents the material is meant for the advanced academian and sometimes, I have to research some of what it presents on the internet because it talks to the reader as if he/she understands everything. But it is hard to read sometimes but not with every chapter.</p>

<p>At amazon.com there is a good preview.</p>

<p>2) Careers in international business: - Edward J. Halloran
This is a great book. Reading the first book “writing about business” gave me a sense of the meaning of the word (FREE TRADE) and so on. I think the “writing about business” book helped me understand business in general so when I read this book I really got a lot of what it says, but not everything. It starts out giving us a generic perspective of why it’s a good idea to go into international business and the state of the world today and what a person must do career wise. But its just TOO GENERAL. this book is good because it sort of supplements the previous book in that i talks about international business specifically and what FREE TRADE is. i think that is easy reading and its good but I need alittle more.</p>

<ol>
<li>Discovering Your Career In Business
This book emphasizes self-essment and so on. But again its just too general in what it presents. It doesn’t really help me understand business . it’s a book created by the guys at a site called (careerleader.com)</li>
</ol>

<p>And finally there is a site called tutor2u.net it offers materials on different topics its UK site but it’s a good site. Some of the stuff there is good but there is just too much information to sort.</p>

<p>One thing I realize is the word “business” just like “international business” is a very generic broad topic it encompasses lots of different things and so on. And I guess I need to define my nitch of where do I fit within all that.</p>

<p>Thru a family friend connection i got the opportunity to work as an office assistant at what is called a Holding Company. I liked this because it gave me the opportunity to SEE business from an investment finance persepective. This holding company was doing i guess what would be considered international business of a sort.</p>

<p>but i have to admit that i didn't always understand everything that i saw and heard. Some of it was alittle over my head (FINANCE & INVESTMENT). I was fortunate to have had people around me who were patient enough with me that protected me from embarrassment who understood me and cared about me and basically gave me something to do in the office. I was lucky.</p>

<p>but my main concern is.</p>

<p>What can I do to enhance my learning of business concepts and international business at the most basic level and atleast do it in a fun way if possible? Sometimes these books are a bore.</p>

<p>I keep thinking that there is an author or a website that understands this that will really speak to ME and motivate me. Everything I have found is either TOO TECHNICAL, TOO ADVANCED or TOO GENERIC and simple and BORING or the text is out of date 10+ years old.</p>

<p>the library at the business school i go to. Most of the material there is way out of date.</p>

<p>I realize that maybe I can only I can answer this question because different people learn in different ways. What may be a problem for one person may not be a problem for someone else.</p>

<p>if I am going to be a successful business school student I have to get on some type training regimen from a business learning knowledge perspective that helps me build up my self-confidence first then my knowledge then my skills. So when I go back to school next year my mind will be ready to receive the information.</p>

<p>Its Kind a like how a person learning a new language has levels like intermediate, level 1, level 2 and then advanced etc.,</p>

<p>I also need to be in search of mentors or role models as well.</p>

<p>But my issue is most people who are my age range in the setting I exist in are progressive minded folks who are to put it bluntly, they are mostly all a bunch of SNOBS, not everybody but most are. People in general sometimes have a tendency to get competitive with each other in their own heads, I for one have been guilty of this myself in the past. So because of the competitive energy between people, sometimes even between professors and students nobody really wants to mentor someone else or even give advice. Or they try and do it badly.</p>

<p>I get real bumed about myself when I read that elementary school kids are learning how to start their own companies/business’ and trade on the New York Stock exchange and so on while i struggle to give the definition of what a bonds and securities are. It get real depressed. I have been able to hide my dumbness and get away with it for a long time. I have been lucky. i have tried real hard to protect myself from getting hurt.</p>

<p>How did I get to be so very dumb, it’s a very long story.
And of course real experience, there is only but so much you can learn from a book. A friend of mine who is a investment banker told me that
“there is a war going on out here. And there is only but so much you can get from a classroom and a text book”</p>

<p>So if anyone here has any suggestions on books, authors, websites or anything that can help me or someone like me, I would appreciate it.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>No single book will help you. I think life-advice may help more first.</p>

<p>First, have you been tested for learning disabilities such as dyslexia? You may want to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist or whatever to asses what exactly are you weak on. Do you struggle with reading? Or just comprehending the material?</p>

<p>Why business? Have you considered trade jobs? HVAC technicians make decent money, theres electricians, an **** like that. Eventually many you may end up owning a business for example as a master electrician. </p>

<p>If you have no learning disability and are set on getting a business degree, asses your academic weaknesses. I would start by tacking english and math courses at a community college to “freshen up” yourself. Try to work up to advanced algebra (or possibly calculus). </p>

<p>What are you seeking out of a business degree? You seem to have low-self esteem: are your parents like abusive towards you or an abusive girlfriend or something? You need to cut yourself some slack, everyone is different and has their own strengths.</p>

3

<p>The best way to learn business is through experience, not books. The books are good for foundations and ideas, but they are no good if you don’t apply the knowledge.Take what your learned and go do something. You don’t have to wait for graduation.</p>

<p>There is no such thing as a dumb question. If people fault you for not knowing something, it’s actually their problem, not yours. You gave them an opportunity to distract people from their own short comings. If you spot someone like that, you’ve spotted a weakness that can be exploited.</p>

<p>You should work on your self esteem. Try quiet meditation while telling yourself positive affirmations. You’ve heard the term: “If you think you can or you think you cant, you’re right!”. There’s truth in that. The best way to get rid of negative thoughts is to say positive thoughts about yourself, and to say them out loud and often (in private you joker!).</p>

<p>I have a friend from my church who took 9 years to complete his degree due to his learning disability. Of all the people I have met in this world, he is one whom I respect the most, and whom I gain some of my inspiration.</p>

<p>I know it’s old news but Einstein failed high school algebra. He is the de facto patron saint of late bloomers. Your future is what you make of it. go forth and do something…</p>

4

<p>I haven’t read the whole post, but you said your major is international business. That degree is a waste of money. Get a real major first.</p>

5

<p>I think international business is a fine choice for people who describes themselves as “VERY DUMB”</p>

6

<p>Dawgie, I hope you get hit by a bus!!!</p>

7

<p>Awe, love is in the air.</p>

8

<p>accountingmajor, now why would you go and say something like that?</p>