What is the most useful skill that I can learn to make myself more employable as a business major? Ex: Computer programming, MIS, SQL.
If you’re interested in technology, learning to work with statistical programming tools, such as R or SAS, could be helpful. Any type of data skills such as data modeling or data mining could help. Of you could learn about web site and application development, content management systems, HTML, SEO, human/computer interactions - depends on where your interests lie.
Whatever you do, don’t overlook the basics of strong skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation applications, whether that’s Microsoft office or Google tools.
Fluency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel, Access). Data modeling/mining I agree with @InigoMontoya . If your school offers a 1-credit course in some sort of accounting software (maybe quickbooks), it could be nice to take in order to familiarize yourself with accounting software. It helps to know it even if you’re not an accountant. If you’re slanted more towards IT -type stuff, then HTML/CSS/Dreamweaver(or a similar program) would be good.
If you’re planning to pursue accounting, Excel. I can’t tell you how many of my fellow graduates and colleagues don’t know how to use Excel.
P.S. I mean really know how to use Excel. Just because you know how to sum a column, does not mean you know how to use Excel well.
Drives my husband crazy that he gets college students in Chemistry who can’t create a simple graph in Excel. And evidently can’t use the help or google tutorials to figure it out on their own.
Can’t imagine if he did something like ask them to use formulas!
Everywhere I have worked required the use of Microsoft Office programs used on PCs, not Macs.
Developing high skill levels in Excel, Word and Word formatting or the use of templates, and Powerpoint are great starts. If you are pursing anything related to finance or accounting, a general introduction to using (and troubleshooting) Excel cash flow models may make you more comfortable when you are use a company-specific model.
You can also look into reading financial statements and looking at trends over time when several years or quarters are spread together for comparison.
I actually have no idea how to make graphs in excel but I do deal with formulas occasionally. Awk haha.
@philbegas Create the data set table on a worksheet, highlight, right click, Quick Analysis, Chart and select a type of graph.
That’s good to know. Honestly as a potential future financial analyst or something similar, I might take my own advice and do a 1 unit excel class just to get intimate mastery of it.
Awesome, my school makes all business students take a series of computers in business courses. As a rising sophomore I have already learned all types of excel formulas, applications of formulas (pivot tables, amortization schedules, graphs, etc.) Also, half of that first class deals with access and taught us to create a database from scratch using queries, buttons, forms, etc.
If you are going into accounting, Microsoft Access would be good. It is an SQL (structured query language), which are very commonly used in accounting. MA and other SQLs are used in processing accounting data. I know that there are other SQL programs, but MA is very commonly used.
Excel and quickbooks my friend.
@InigoMontoya HE is right, the best options come beyond your thinking when you look deep into your passions, skills, and objectives, you’ll gain the best decisions by yourself. Just perform a brief analysis of your own and then start learning something awesome. Become a Geek, don’t only learn, but try to ask it from every available and knowledgeable person you know. I was not a technology student, but now working as an Agile head at leading IT Firm. have a look (http://www.found.com.pk). So, be on it and keep enthusiasm on fire.