Businesses and the people that run them drive the world's economies. Business majors usually specialize in one area of business or another (unless they major in Business Administration/Management, which is a general degree applicable to many jobs).

Working conditions vary by job, but it is safe to say that beginners work long hours for less pay and glory than their elders – but it all pays off eventually (hopefully). Business people usually work in comfortable offices, but many also travel to meet clients or stockholders or to attend conferences. In fact, students with foreign culture and language expertise can expect good prospects. Other in-demand areas include ethics and auditing (companies are looking to avoid scandals), and e-commerce. Students with sales and marketing skills will always be in-demand – without a strong sales force, the company can't get anywhere.

Business jobs can be broadly broken down into management and supervisory positions; advertising, marketing, and sales; customer and client relations; market and industry analysis; business law and taxation; operations and costing; finance and accounting; and administration. Within each field there are numerous sub-specialties; however, every business needs people that can perform the basic functions outlined above.

Earnings figures for 2002 (median averages):

• Public relations specialists - $20.02/hour
• Public relations managers - $60,640/year
• Advertising sales agents - $18.11/hour
• Sales representatives - $20.54/hour
• Sales managers - $75,040/year
• Market research analysts - $53,810/year
• Administrative services managers - $52,500/year
• Cost estimators - $47,550/year
• Marketing managers - $78,250/year
• Purchasing managers - $59,890/year
• Wholesale and retail buyers - $40,780/year

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the starting salary offers for marketing majors in 2003 averaged $34,038. Advertising majors were offered $29,495 on average.