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The Benefits of A Double Major

4/9/2023

Business is a unique discipline that incorporates many different subjects. It includes, but is not limited to, aspects of math, psychology, economics, law, art, and so much more. With this in mind, adding a second major, especially one outside of the Fisher College of Business, can add a lot of value and make you stand out. Whether you are coming into Ohio State with zero or a hundred credit hours, OSU makes it incredibly easy to study two majors. Doing a dual or double major has become even more possible under the new General Education (GE) requirements. Under the new GE requirements, students have more flexibility and credit hours to devote towards other majors, minors, certificates, or curiosities.
   Anna Chen, who is on the UBWA DEI Committee, is a first-year student with a double major in accounting and psychology. Luckily for her, she came into OSU with enough credits to qualify her as a junior, making it even easier to pursue a second major. As of now, Anna is planning on obtaining a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Her rationale for choosing accounting is that jobs are abundant, well paying, and stable; her rationale for choosing psychology is that it was intriguing. Anna wants to understand how the brain works and what motivates people to behave in certain ways. Even if she does not pursue psychology as a career, she feels having the background knowledge will help her to be more successful. Furthermore, behind every person's interaction are psychological processes. When applying for jobs, having two majors on her resume will help her stand out amongst other candidates. Anna feels that studying both accounting and psychology will “make [her] a better employee, coworker, and boss,” as she will gain improved communication and empathetic skills. In general, a second major simply opens up possibilities, opportunities, and more career paths. Therefore, it also gives you a degree of flexibility and the comfort of knowing you have options.
   Accounting is part of the Fisher College of Business while psychology is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Studying two majors across two different colleges can seem intimidating at first. However, Anna says the process was simple with the support of her advisors. After speaking to her accounting advisor, adding psychology as her second major began with the simple task of sending an email to the psychology department. Anna was quickly able to set up a meeting with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences to officially declare psychology as a second major. Something incredibly helpful is the fact that there is a liaison between Fisher and the psychology department, who was able to help Anna make the transition between the two colleges as painless as possible. Each college also provides their own resources to help support their students and ensure their students’ success. Having those extra resources also gives Anna yet another competitive advantage, giving her access to opportunities she may not have gotten otherwise.
   There are many benefits to having a second major, but, of course, no one should feel pressured to do so. It’s important to remember that adding another major is a difficult and personal choice. Before declaring any major, you should really consider how interested you are in that discipline. Again, OSU provides a lot of options and versatility when it comes to majors, minors, and certificates. No matter what you may decide, Anna encourages everyone “to learn different perspectives and ways to look at the world’s issues”, whether that be from a second major, an internship, a study abroad program, or anything else. Just keep your eyes and mind open to new learning opportunities and take advantage of the time you spend at OSU.

hallie szmik

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The Advantages of Networking & How to Stand Out

4/2/2023

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You’re a second-year in college, trying to find an internship for this summer or next, and you attend as many university-held networking events as possible. Yet, you aren’t hearing back from companies. You think you’re doing everything you’re supposed to be doing by attending these events, so you get frustrated. Why aren’t you hearing back from anyone? Is there anything else you can do to stand out from students who have the same goal as you? Does networking really make that big of a difference?
   For this post, I spoke with Jessie Hu, a former UBWA general member who graduated in 2020. Jessie specialized in Consumer Family Financial Services while at Ohio State and was passionate about her role in UBWA. She commented that she loves how supportive UBWA is of women in the business world, as it has been a male dominated field for so long and how great it is to have a community that helps out one another.
   As many people in the business world would say, “it’s not about what you know, but who you know.” The best way to expand your network and meet more people is by attending events, putting yourself out there, and speaking to people you normally would be afraid to speak with. However, that can be very nerve-wracking for someone who is not as outgoing compared to other individuals. One tip Jessie gave for overcoming this obstacle of nervousness is that if you are at a networking event, or even a school career fair,, go up to a business you are not interested in to use it as a “breaking point.” After you’ve practiced a bit and start to get comfortable, make your way over to a company you are actually interested in. Taking small steps is acceptable, and even encouraged, because not everyone is naturally fearless when it comes to networking ,and that’s okay. Another way to get better at networking and feel more comfortable is by practicing. Preparation is key, and practicing networking in front of friends or parents until you get the hang of it can be extremely beneficial.
   Another aspect that not many students think about is the bigger picture. As students, our main priority and focus is on the short term. We focus on getting internships and then getting jobs, but what we often don’t realize is that the best things happen when you least expect them too. Jessie shared a story about how networking helped her determine her future career path in ways she never could have predicted. If it were not for networking, she never would have landed the job that she is in now. She was able to receive an interview for her current job through her friend, who she met while taking taekwondo classes, and now couldn’t be happier in her position. The moral of this story is that networking is extremely beneficial, even if it’s informal. Networking does not only have to take place during a formal event, but it can also take place in your daily life.it’s important that you always push yourself to form connections with others around you, because you never know who someone else knows and how that may benefit you in the future. \
   So, next time you’re in a situation where you’re around people you don’t know, don’t be afraid to speak up and build connections.You never know who or where you might be able to get your next job from. Just relax, practice, and go out and attend as many events as you can. Lastly, Jessie left me with advice to “make sure you love what you do, because if you don’t, it will show.”

Cassie kobel

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Gender Dynamics within the Workplace: Dismantling Bias and Expectations for Women

4/1/2023

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A woman in business can deal with an array of challenges due to gender. If you pick up others' slack, show compassion for others, or apologize too much, you’re seen as weak. If you stand your ground or show ambition by asking for a promotion, you’re seen as pushy. Power dynamics, expectations, and biases affect society and the structures within it, including the environments that women encounter in their careers. Many students face firsthand the negative impact of such structures within their personal and professional lives. Though, an awareness and understanding of why power structures came into place, how a microaggression or bias is defined, and the identities of people unlike oneself can better equip individuals to succeed in a business environment.
Graduating marketing student and Senior Vice President of UBWA, Tori Holzworth spoke with me about the impact minoring in Women’s Studies has had on her outlook on life. Tori has been heavily involved with UBWA since freshman year, taking on several committees and roles throughout her time within the organization. She spoke fondly of her time in UBWA, saying that she is “constantly inspired by the members of UBWA” and loves that she has “been able to be a part of such an uplifting and supportive community…to get out of [her] comfort zone in a safe space.” Tori will take the skills developed throughout her education, internships, and time at UBWA, as she graduates in the spring and begins working at Mettler Toledo in Columbus in the Marketing Early Career Program.
Ohio State’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor shows to be a valuable addition to a business degree in terms of enlightening students on how gender, sexual, and other identities impact how individuals interact with one another. A WGSST minor provides a greater understanding of not only dynamics within society as a whole, but also speaks to how gender interacts within a professional environment. Even if you don’t opt to take the minor, being aware of the stereotypes, biases, and behaviors that can negatively impact success within a workplace, a business student can be better equipped to navigate an array of situations.
Tori described her experience taking Women’s studies classes as “welcoming,” “thought-provoking,” and “diverse.” She took WGSST 1100, Gender, Sex, and Power, her freshman year and decided to minor in Women’s Studies after that. Tori was able to apply her interest in identity, being adopted from China, as well as social justice issues through the minor. Even though Women’s Studies is not directly related to a career in business, Tori expressed that “I will be able to use things I have learned every day within both my professional and personal lives,” as “it is always helpful to better understand yourself and others.”
By learning more about gender dynamics and expectations, Tori has been able to adapt to professional situations she has encountered. In general, women are viewed as nurturing figures in the workplace - taking on more roles, helping others, and not taking up too much space. When women deviate from this stereotype, they are commonly viewed as too ambitious, pushy, and bitchy, even though their male counterparts are accepted or praised for the same behavior. Since Tori became aware of this dynamic in her own life, she explained that she tries “to speak up and share my own thoughts during group discussions and not default to doing all of the organizational tasks in a project.” She also tries to “be more straightforward and use less hedges” in emails. Due to stereotypes perpetuated in society, it is important for businesswomen to not shy away from assertiveness and ambition in their careers. Women are equally as entitled as men to be confident in the workplace.
Increased self awareness, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills were all takeaways from Tori’s experience with her minor. These are important traits that can be overlooked or not implicitly taught in general business classes, but are still important no matter what field a student goes into. Knowing how to combat biases and be an ally to those who are more likely to be hindered by them is important not just in a professional setting but in life. Tori articulates this sentiment wonderfully, expressing her biggest takeaway in her minor: “while people have various identities, thought processes, and perspectives, most people want to feel valued and safe. Therefore, it is important to treat people with kindness and try to understand them, even if you do not agree with them.”
Gender dynamics may be more apparent within society, but less obvious dynamics include microaggressions and unconscious bias. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a microaggression is an “indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group.” Tori expressed that in her educational career, she has overheard people say, "you're good at math for a girl" or "you're really artistic for a guy.” Microaggressions can negatively impact an individual’s self-image and mental health, as well as the ability to work and learn.

Lacey Jones

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Making the Leap and Starting Your Own Business

4/1/2023

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Starting your own business can be daunting. There are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties that can arise. You may not know exactly what you’re doing, and the idea of putting yourself out there and failing can be scary. It can also be costly and timely which may not be feasible for some people. Starting a business is an endeavor that requires a great deal of work, determination, and passion.
I had the opportunity to talk with Clarissa Smith, a UBWA alum who graduated from Ohio State in 2017. Clarissa is a substitute teacher by day and a podcaster and comedy writer by night. Clarissa started off in corporate America, as she graduated with a business degree and needed the money, but knew she wanted to pursue a more creative career. It was difficult for Clarissa to have her own business on the side while working for a company that didn’t value a work-life balance. Though, since she decided to become a substitute teacher, Clarissa has been able to have a more flexible schedule and free evenings to work on her podcast and comedy writing.
Clarissa’s podcast, “The Final Stretch,” is about her final time in Columbus before moving to Los Angeles. Clarissa moved to L.A. for the first time in 2014 for an internship, but while she was there, she suffered from liver failure and had to get a transplant. It was during this time that Clarissa started her podcast for her family and friends because she wanted them to have something to remember her by in case something were to happen. After her internship, she moved back to Ohio to finish school and graduate. The podcast became a way for Clarissa to track her growth and journey back to L.A. after graduating. Eventually, Clarissa started to receive requests from listeners to talk about certain topics, so she began to interview comedians, actresses, relationship experts, composers, and others who she thought could help give advice and speak about their experiences.
After receiving positive feedback on her podcast, Clarissa started an LLC that focuses on her podcast but is also related to all things comedy. One of her long-term goals with the LLC is to produce comedy shows as well.
Being a woman in the comedy space, similarly to business, isn’t easy. Clarissa told me that being a part of UBWA showed her the important opportunities women have and how to ask gender-specific questions, like about maternity leave or how they support women, when finding a job. Although Clarissa left corporate America, this skill set has helped her in comedy because it’s an industry dominated by men, much like the business world.
As a business owner, you are likely to encounter many challenges and need to make changes or pivot even years after you start. One of these struggles for Clarissa has been marketing and advertising her podcast. As of right now, Clarissa says her marketing tactics fluctuate, but she knows she needs a more scheduled and planned approach to connect to her audience. Clarissa's next goals with her podcast are to collaborate with other podcasts and hire someone to help with marketing by the end of the year.
Clarissa’s advice for those who want to start their own business, podcast, or any project is to not be afraid, even if people question what you are doing. Don’t worry about how you will pay for it, or how you will keep up with the work. Just trust that it will get paid for and that you will be able to put in the work. She also says people will gravitate toward you if they see you working hard at something. For instance, Clarissa was able to meet people along the way who wanted to create designs for her, or help her with editing.
Starting your own business is risky and may be scary at times. There may never be a “right” time to do it, but it is one of those things you just have to start and navigate along the way. Failure is a part of the process and a chance to learn and get better. Like Clarissa said, don’t be afraid; put in the work and stay consistent.

Gia Kistner

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The Benefits of A Double Major

hallie szmik

The Advantages of Networking & How to Stand Out

Cassie kobel

Gender Dynamics within the Workplace: Dismantling Bias and Expectations for Women

​Lacey Jones

Making the Leap and Starting Your Own Business

Gia Kistner

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Lacey Jones