Should a Shy Person Stay Away from Business?

<p>As a shy and introverted student, I don't do much clubs or activities and I don't really like presentations. But, I like learning about organizational theory, understanding how companies work, how management works and how people work well with each other.</p>

<p>I like talking to people one on one and I enjoy interaction - its just, im not good at social gatherings (thats why i dont do many clubs) and I'm not always going out all the time. i'm so socially awkward around lots of people sometimes its like D:</p>

<p>So with my personalty, Is it a bad idea for me to do a business major? </p>

<p>the business courses in general are so competitive and everyone in business is so outgoing and most seem to have that Type A, always on the go, competitive personality and I think I'll be stressed out and pressured all the time in having to adapt to these personalities. if not, idk how I will survive. business is so cut throat, you know?</p>

<p>Or maybe I should minor in business?</p>

<p>I think there are definitely some areas of business where it is okay to be kind of shy. Consider accounting, finance (not necessarily a Wall Street job, but there are other jobs for finance), maybe management information systems. Probably not marketing, though (I was a marketing major and am an introvert – it was never a good combo, and I have never worked in marketing). :)</p>

<p>Different companies have different personalities in terms of how “cut throat” they are. You could try some different internships in different industries and see what you think. Or you could major in business, but with the goal of working for non-profits (tend to be less cut throat).</p>

<p>Consider what type of degree your school offers. BSBAs prepare you for many fields in business even if you major in a specific area.</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply intparent. Yeah I thought about accounting, which was why I took it this term but realized how absolutely horrible I am at it. I’m one of those people who sucks at dissecting numbers and I’m not a patient or neat person at all…that’s why I’m struggling so much. I’m more of a person who cares more about creativity and empathy and people…but I know marketing would just kill me.</p>

<p>I was thinking MIT, but one must be good at math right? Computer sciences, calculus, etc o goodness</p>

<p>Sigh it really sucks when options are limited when you aren’t naturally good with numbers in the first place</p>

<p>Yeah, I really need to do some interning to see what I like lol. I am still so lost about my goals and passions.</p>

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<p>My aunt was actually telling me to do a BSBA in MIT, and they do offer that at my school. I’m mostly worried if I can handle the math and programming, lol…I am taking Information Systems next term so I’ll see if I like it. </p>

<p>Seems like job prospects for those with a degree in BSBA are really good too</p>

<p>My advisor told me not to be scared away by the computer courses required for MIS majors. You just need to have an understanding of what IT does, but it doesn’t need to be really in depth.</p>

<p>It is perfectly OK to be introverted, ~ 50% of people are, plenty of whom are succesful in business. </p>

<p>However, it is not okay for you to be so shy that you don’t do any clubs, activities, or presentations. And so stressed out about it that you are considering not majoring in business at all. </p>

<p>If you’ve discovered a weakness, work to improve it. If you don’t like giving presentations, join Toastmasters and give a speech every week. If you are socially awkward, it’s okay, join more clubs, put yourself out there, go to networking events, and practice meeting people. </p>

<p>Honestly, with how you are describing yourself, youre going to have a hard time getting a job in any field. Communication skills are so important regardless of your chosen career path and running away and purposefully avoiding improvement, is NOT the best course of action for you to take.</p>

<p>The beauty of business is that it takes all types. An accountant is a different type of person than a salesperson or a business lawyer or a consultant or an analytics person. Find your niche and excel at it. Business takes all types.</p>

<p>So essentially you are asking can a shy person who isn’t good with numbers major in a business discipline. As others have said you can stick with a business major but you must work on communicating no matter what major/job you end up doing. Lots of people are shy. I was. I still am but I’ve overcome it with practice and courage. Someone mentioned Toastmasters-- I would highly recommend it.</p>

<p>Remember most people end up working in a business setting whether they majored in business, biology or communications. So you may end up there regardless of what you majored in. You will have to be able to communicate. Work on it. You will be glad you did.</p>

<p>I totally feel you! Lol for real you are just like me, well as you describe yourself i would say i’m not as awkward but yet i totally understand you and it is very frustrating to see around you so many people with that type of personality that everyone know them or that they get alone with everyone so easily but try to overcome your weaknesses and confront them little by little that’s what i’m doing and you will see you’ll get comfortable around people even more.</p>

<p>If you are not good with numbers and you are a shy person,
it is quite difficult to find a good place for you
since business requires either advanced math skills or personal charisma.
However, there’s one field that people often ignore, business education.
Classes in organization theory, teamwork, etc are generally small
and require a lot of interactions with students.
It might take a long time for you to obtain a PhD
but you can do what you like (business) while being who you really are
(shy, do not like big groups, but care about people and how they work together)</p>

<p>centerklaus, business does NOT require advanced math skills or even personal charisma. Are you kidding me? You just need to know your basic 4-function operations, and that goes for ALL business majors, even economics and/or accounting.</p>

<p>It’s okay to be shy. One of the purposes of a business school is to teach you how to work with people and how not to be less shy.</p>

<p>I think you could possibly do economics or management. Marketing majors are extremely extroverted bunch; I don’t see you feeling comfortable there. Accountants are a mix, they need to be extroverted or gain connections to land firms plus high GPA but you all ready said accounting is not for you; so finance probably won’t be either since both are a lot of math for business majors. It is okay to be shy but joining clubs and talking to others as a business student will help you to become a successful business student. While I understand some people are shy you can start by greeting others in your field of studies. Making friends as a business major has made the experience more tolerable and allowed me opportunities to grow.</p>

<p>Have you considered human resource management?
[SHRM</a> Online - Society for Human Resource Management](<a href=“http://www.shrm.org/Pages/default.aspx]SHRM”>SHRM - The Voice of All Things Work)</p>

<p>I noticed[no statistical proof, just my own observation] shy people tend to be really good at English writing/literature, Journalism, and just speaking their mind on paper. I guess they don’t have much to say verbally, but have a whole lot to write about.</p>

<p>However, I don’t think you should stay away from business majors just because you are shy. If you really do enjoy it like you say you do then go for it. You should not let your personality sway you away from the things you enjoy. Actually, you should let nothing get in the way of the path you want to take. If you tell yourself you can not do it, but you do want to do it, then that’s more of a confidence problem than shyness.</p>