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Minor in business provides journalism student with important financial skills

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

The following testimonial is fromCourtney Condron, asenior in Journalismwho is getting a Business Minor at KU.

The first time I reaped the benefits of my business minor was during my interview with NBC for a summer internship.

"So, do you have experience with Excel?" she asked me.

"Well yes, I'm actually a business minor and I just completed Information Systems Technology where we learned all about computers and worked a lot with Excel," I replied.

She was impressed. And I got the internship.

My business minor started out as something I picked up because I had completed several college-levelhours before coming into college and wanted to do something extra. I figured some businesswoman skills couldn't hurt. As I've come closer to graduating, I've realized how valuable my business minor is when applying - and being prepared - for jobs.

I will admit I struggled a little throughout Accounting 205. The only reason I got an "A" was because of a last-minute 30-point extra credit assignment. After that class, I printed off the requirements for earning a history minor, because I wasn't sure if I was cut out for the business world after all. In the end, it came down to the fact that there was no way a history minor would be as useful to me as a business minor.

I realized, while I may not have liked creating balance sheets and income statements, it is something that everyone needs to know. It's not a subject just for accountants and stockbrokers. When I get out of college, I'm going to need to know how to handle my money, invest it and have good credit. I've learned this from my business minor.

Especially after completing finance, I was relieved that I had learned about stocks, bonds, 401Ks and more. I had heard these things talked about every day, but didn't thoroughly understand until I took finance. I started talking to my dad about how he invests his money and actually acquired an interest in the subject. Finance wasn't just about doing well on the tests, but actually understanding the way investing works, because I knew that information would be useful.

The business minor has also helped me become a better journalist, my major, because I'm more informed about the business world. The economy is obviously a hot topic in journalism right now, and because of my business minor, I'm more tuned in to what is happening. When I read articles about the stock market, the economy and businesses filing for bankruptcy, I know what they are talking about. Thus, I'm a better reporter, because I can ask informed questions, write thorough stories and realize which facts are most important to my audience. Some say to be a great journalist your knowledge needs to be "a mile wide and an inch deep," and I've heard the business minor described the exact same way.

The business minor is effective, because it applies to so many majors and to each student's personal financial choices. I'm glad I persevered to continue with the business minor; because I know it was the right choice. The School of Business has provided me with knowledge that will be important to me as a journalist, employee and family member.

For more information on the minor in business, visit: http://www.business.ku.edu/Undergraduate-MinorinBusiness