Curiosity Is Good for Business

So you think you might want to be a digital marketer or an entrepreneur, an accountant or a sports agent? Headed to Wall Street or Main Street? Maybe you just love the idea of a business school where you can immerse yourself—through hands on projects and a close-knit learning community. Maybe that’s enough, and you want to figure the rest out later.

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."                                                                               

Steve Jobs, Founder, Apple
Four students are sitting in a group talking to one another.
There's No Need to Stress

Whatever you’re thinking right now is subject to change. In fact, if college doesn’t change your mind, at least a little, it didn’t work. 

Not sure which business major is right for you? You're not alone. Many students know they want a career in business but aren't sure whether their interests fit areas like accounting, data analytics, finance, marketing, leadership, management, sport management, or entrepreneurship. Our Exploratory Business Pathway gives you the flexibility to explore different business majors, take introductory courses, and work closely with dedicated academic advisors before choosing a program. You'll build a strong foundation in business, discover your strengths and interests, and gain the confidence to select the major that best aligns with your career goals.

How to start? On the CommonApp, choose “School of Business Pathways.” Then, when you arrive, follow the path…

Your First Step: World of Business

All first-year students in the School of Business take the World of Business course.

The course starts with the basics. You'll learn about a range of companies and find out how the world’s most successful businesses work. You'll be introduced to the basics of building a brand, analyzing a stock, and starting a company. Every three weeks, you and your team stand up and pitch (a marketing pitch, a stock pitch, and a venture pitch). At the end of the semester, you'll present to a panel of experts in the field (alumni, executives, faculty). It's a great experience. Along the way, you'll ask yourself: What intrigues me? What am I good at? How can I make change in the world? Those questions help you start your own journey in business.

From your very first day in the course, you will interact with the School of Business career specialist. Career workshops on goal-setting, creating your first resume, and using LinkedIn to build your professional network provide structure from the start to build a competitive professional profile before entering the job market.

Featured News

Students in a classroom, the student in the foreground looks at speaker thoughtfully.
First Year, Full Throttle
By Sloan MacRae
Welcome to IC’s World of Business course, where the traditional intro to business is turned on its head.

Personalized Advising and Mentorship for Future Business Leaders

A picture of the backs of three students with the words "peer advisor" on their t-shirts.

Your World of Business professor will serve as your first-year advisor and as a mentor as you begin exploring business majors and career opportunities. You can talk to them about your interests, ask questions about courses to complete, and connect your strengths to future career goals. Through one-on-one advising, mentoring, and ongoing support, you'll gain the confidence to explore different business disciplines and make informed decisions about your major. From your first day on campus, you'll have an experienced professional in your corner, helping you build a strong foundation for success in business school and beyond.

You’ll also work with a Peer Advisor who brings a student perspective on how to succeed in and out of the classroom. More resources are available through our Academic Support Center. At Ithaca College, you’ll always have help in exploring your interests.

Core Business Courses that Prepare You for Any Career

The shared business core curriculum is the foundation for every one of our business majors. So, no matter which major you select, these initial courses will set you up for success and keep you on track for graduation. These foundational courses include the following:

  • Accounting
  • Business Analytics
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Mathematics for Business or Calculus
  • Operations Management
  • Organizational Behavior and Ethics
  • Statistics
  • Strategic Management

This gives you the opportunity to experience multiple business disciplines, while simultaneously developing in-demand business skills, before choosing a major. These courses prepare you for success across a wide range of business careers.

Once you are ready to declare your major, all it takes is the completion of a simple electronic form to let us know your choice! 

Questions? We're Here.

If you have questions about the Business Pathways program, please reach out to us. We'd love to talk. 

607-274-7901