Consideration For Success

As an Accounting, Finance, Corporate Financial Management, or AIS major

Following are some highlights of topics to be discussed in more detail at the orientation workshop.

Good grades are important

• most employers will look at your GPA.
• many graduate schools require a minimum GPA for admission the minimum for SJSU Business Graduate programs is 3.0

Time management

• know how many study hours you have available before registering for classes (consider commute and parking time, eating, sleeping, family obligations, time with friends, homework, etc.)
• keep a calendar of due dates
• make time for extra activities such as student organizations, reading the newspaper, attending SJSU career workshops, visiting the Career Planning & Placement Center on a regular basis, etc.

Make full use of resources available to you in the College of Business

• Career Planning & Placement Office - visit it regularly to find out about employers who interview students in your major, internships, part-time jobs while attending school. Attend Career Planning & Placement career workshops. Don't just wait until your last semester. Start finding out about employers and the interview process well before that time so you are most prepared.
• Faculty office hours - seek assistance and guidance from your professors. Get to know one or more faculty well enough that you could ask them for a letter of recommendation for a job or graduate school or a scholarship if you need it.
• Student organizations - take the time to join 1 or 2 organizations and get involved in activities and leadership positions. This is a great opportunity to practice leadership and organizational skills, perform community service and learn more about your chosen profession. Employers often ask what else you did besides work and go to school.
• Mentors - take advantage of the College of Business Alumni mentor program. Stop by the Career Planning & Placement Office in Building Q or the Business Alumni Office in the Ground floor of the Business Tower to obtain a name(s) of alum to talk to about career opportunities or for a practice interview.
• Experience - if your schedule permits, consider internships (see the Career Planning & Placement Center for information)..

Keep up with current events

• read the local paper daily (it won't take long - focus on items of particular interest to you and ones relevant to your studies)
• read business journals and periodicals on a regular basis
• keep up with local, world, political, economic and business news
• employers are looking for well-rounded people

Improve and develop communication skills

• this is one trait that all employers seek
• take courses that require writing and verbal assignments
• seek assistance if you need additional work with grammar
• get involved with student organizations in a leadership capacity
• join the Spartans Toastmasters club (www.cob.sjsu.edu/facstaff/nellen_a/toast.htm)
• work to improve interpersonal skills

Study tips

• study every day - don't cram the night before an exam
• work towards understanding the material rather than just memorizing it - you should know it well enough that you could explain it to someone else and use that knowledge to solve new problems
• think about how what you are learning currently applies to topics you studied in other courses, to business transactions you are familiar with, or to your employer or hoped for employer, to help improve your understanding of the topic.

Computer Skills

• You should be proficient with at least Word, Excel, and perhaps a web page authoring tool.

IMPORTANT Information for Accounting Majors

• accounting firms interview in fall semester for spring graduates!!! Thus, visit Career Planning & Placement at least one year before your expected graduation to find about on-campus interviews and the sign-up process

Additional things to think about

• your education is your responsibility! class attendance, asking questions, completing homework timely and professionally, learning about career opportunities, taking advantage of leadership opportunities on campus, making the most of the opportunities available to you both inside and outside the classroom - it's all your responsibility. There are many resources available to help you make the most of your education - how you take advantage of them is your responsibility.
• yes, obtaining the proper amount and type of units is important, but the focus of your education should be on obtaining the competencies listed for your major
• careers in business involve lifetime learning - part of your college experience is to give you to tools to "learn how to learn" and how to keep up to date with events and changes in the business world