Business Unboxed: An Insider's Take On The Undergraduate Experience

econunitedteam
May 7
5 min read

For many high school students curious about majoring in business, the path ahead can feel both exciting and overwhelming. To offer some first-hand insight, we asked Asia Torres, a current undergraduate Business Analytics/Business Administration Major at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley who's navigating college life, internships, and career planning firsthand. In this interview, Asia shares what inspired her to pursue business, what the college experience is really like, and her advice for students considering a similar path. Whether you're aiming for Wall Street, want to start your own company, or are just exploring your options, Asia's journey offers valuable lessons and honest advice.

Choosing a college major is a big decision and for Asia it came down to a mix of passion, curiosity, and long-term goals. In this section, she breaks down what drew her to the world of business, how she discovered her interests, and what ultimately led her to commit to this dynamic and versatile field:

What inspired you to choose business as your major?

Asia: I was inspired by my mother who majored in the same thing. However, the biggest thing was my skills developing in leadership and quick thinking with money.
Were there any specific experiences or individuals that influenced your decision to pursue business?

Asia: In high school a while back, I used to be able to raise at least a thousand dollars per big fundraiser, it felt single handedly!
How did you decide on your concentration within the business field (e.g., marketing, finance, management)?

Asia: Business Analytics, the world is always gonna need a team of decision makers. Turns out I had a spark for learning the hard skills by fate.
What aspects of business do you find most engaging or exciting?

Asia: The best part is being a leader in a team, however, everyone has to start somewhere.
Have your interests in business evolved since you first declared your major? If so, how?

Asia: I learned so much about the depth and flexibility of Business Analytics. This major equips you with skills for so many career fields it’s crazy! I’m not limited to just business analytics, I could be whatever else.

College can look very different from what high school students imagine. in this section, Asia gives an inside look at her daily life as a business major, from classes and clubs to challenges she has faced and the surprises along the way:

How do you think your academic experiences are preparing you for a career in business?

Asia: In my university, most courses necessary for graduation teach you a brand new skill you’ll likely use.
What skills have you developed through your business courses that you think will be most valuable in the workforce?

Asia: Mostly analytical skills and being able to do tasks that require you to “think a little harder”. Many people believe business majoring is easier and doesn’t require any brains unfortunately. However, the fact is that this just isn’t the case, especially for finance or accounting.
Are there any particular professors or courses that have had a significant impact on your perspective about business?

Asia: Yes, my macroeconomics professor was the sweetest guy in the world. He incorporated money into politics and society as a whole.
How do you balance your academic workload with extracurricular activities, internships, or part-time jobs related to business?

Asia: Some tips from experience are to go for internships that require a little less effort even if unpaid. AND, do start projects of your own to build a portfolio. For a business major, academics, networking, and resume building are all you need.
Can you share a project or assignment from your coursework that you found especially rewarding or challenging ?

Asia: Of course! My first big project was building a mock venture from scratch. (A venture is like a company that sells goods or services). My project was a tutoring service that uses its profits towards scholarships, I named it EmpowerX.

Asia is already thinking several steps ahead. In this section, she talks about where she hopes her degree will take her, the industries that excite her most, and how she's preparing now for a successful future after college:

What are your career goals after graduation, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Asia: I want to work for a business firm with a team of other analysts. I knew from the start I wanted to be a decision-maker, with a team of brilliant minds.
Do you have a particular industry or company you’d like to work in after college? If so, why?

Asia: Just business analytics so far, no company sticks out yet unfortunately…
Are you planning on pursuing further education, such as an MBA, after completing your undergraduate degree?

Asia: Luckily for me, my university offers an accelerated MBA one year program for business analytics! Check back with me once I’m 23 haha!
How do you plan to use your business degree to make an impact in the workplace or society?

Asia: One day maybe I’ll lead a team of analysts. I learned quickly that the leader takes the fall for everyone though, and the harder you work, the more work your boss piles on you.
What kind of job or position do you envision yourself in five years from now?

Asia: Hopefully somewhere in air conditioning with a comfortable chair haha! But seriously, 5 years I may be barely starting out…10 years though, and I hope to be in a senior analyst position.

No college journey is without its hurdles and studying business is no exception. In this section, Asia opens up about the obstacles she's faced along the way:

What challenges have you faced while studying business, and how have you overcome them?

Asia: None really, just working across timezones is really exhausting. Sometimes I have to wake up before dawn!
How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in the business world?

Asia: I recommend reading a newsletter or follow a trusted business Instagram account. Just reading 5 minutes should keep you well informed!
How do you manage to stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during stressful times?

Asia: I enjoy my work, I don’t enjoy the scheduling… It’s hard to find time for me. BUT, college is mostly harder than your expected career field in business.
How do you plan to continue learning and growing professionally after you enter the workforce?

Asia: Haven’t given it much thought, I like to believe I’m still learning while on the job. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a hard skill to learn something new every day.
What advice would you give to a high school student considering pursuing a business major?

Asia: Start making connections on LinkedIn early and build a resume early. Do a ton of online programs to expose yourself to that content. Bonus: Join business clubs or organizations on campus and consider taking an economics class!

Thank you again to Asia Torres for taking the time to give her amazing insight to our organization. Speaking of connections, you can connect with Asia Torres on LinkedIn, Asia is a hardworking student and an amazing connection to have! Her honesty about the challenges and passion for business offer valuable guidance for any high school students considering a future in business. Whether you're already set on a business major or still exploring your options, Asia's insight proves that with curiosity, determination, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone, anything is possible.

What inspired you to choose business as your major?

Asia: I was inspired by my mother who majored in the same thing. However, the biggest thing was my skills developing in leadership and quick thinking with money.

Were there any specific experiences or individuals that influenced your decision to pursue business?

Asia: In high school a while back, I used to be able to raise at least a thousand dollars per big fundraiser, it felt single handedly!

How did you decide on your concentration within the business field (e.g., marketing, finance, management)?

Asia: Business Analytics, the world is always gonna need a team of decision makers. Turns out I had a spark for learning the hard skills by fate.

What aspects of business do you find most engaging or exciting?

Asia: The best part is being a leader in a team, however, everyone has to start somewhere.

Have your interests in business evolved since you first declared your major? If so, how?

Asia: I learned so much about the depth and flexibility of Business Analytics. This major equips you with skills for so many career fields it’s crazy! I’m not limited to just business analytics, I could be whatever else.

College can look very different from what high school students imagine. in this section, Asia gives an inside look at her daily life as a business major, from classes and clubs to challenges she has faced and the surprises along the way:

How do you think your academic experiences are preparing you for a career in business?

Asia: In my university, most courses necessary for graduation teach you a brand new skill you’ll likely use.

What skills have you developed through your business courses that you think will be most valuable in the workforce?

Asia: Mostly analytical skills and being able to do tasks that require you to “think a little harder”. Many people believe business majoring is easier and doesn’t require any brains unfortunately. However, the fact is that this just isn’t the case, especially for finance or accounting.

Are there any particular professors or courses that have had a significant impact on your perspective about business?

Asia: Yes, my macroeconomics professor was the sweetest guy in the world. He incorporated money into politics and society as a whole.

How do you balance your academic workload with extracurricular activities, internships, or part-time jobs related to business?

Asia: Some tips from experience are to go for internships that require a little less effort even if unpaid. AND, do start projects of your own to build a portfolio. For a business major, academics, networking, and resume building are all you need.

Can you share a project or assignment from your coursework that you found especially rewarding or challenging ?

Asia: Of course! My first big project was building a mock venture from scratch. (A venture is like a company that sells goods or services). My project was a tutoring service that uses its profits towards scholarships, I named it EmpowerX.

Asia is already thinking several steps ahead. In this section, she talks about where she hopes her degree will take her, the industries that excite her most, and how she's preparing now for a successful future after college:

What are your career goals after graduation, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Asia: I want to work for a business firm with a team of other analysts. I knew from the start I wanted to be a decision-maker, with a team of brilliant minds.

Do you have a particular industry or company you’d like to work in after college? If so, why?

Asia: Just business analytics so far, no company sticks out yet unfortunately…

Are you planning on pursuing further education, such as an MBA, after completing your undergraduate degree?

Asia: Luckily for me, my university offers an accelerated MBA one year program for business analytics! Check back with me once I’m 23 haha!

How do you plan to use your business degree to make an impact in the workplace or society?

Asia: One day maybe I’ll lead a team of analysts. I learned quickly that the leader takes the fall for everyone though, and the harder you work, the more work your boss piles on you.

What kind of job or position do you envision yourself in five years from now?

Asia: Hopefully somewhere in air conditioning with a comfortable chair haha! But seriously, 5 years I may be barely starting out…10 years though, and I hope to be in a senior analyst position.

No college journey is without its hurdles and studying business is no exception. In this section, Asia opens up about the obstacles she's faced along the way:

What challenges have you faced while studying business, and how have you overcome them?

Asia: None really, just working across timezones is really exhausting. Sometimes I have to wake up before dawn!

How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in the business world?

Asia: I recommend reading a newsletter or follow a trusted business Instagram account. Just reading 5 minutes should keep you well informed!

How do you manage to stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during stressful times?

Asia: I enjoy my work, I don’t enjoy the scheduling… It’s hard to find time for me. BUT, college is mostly harder than your expected career field in business.

How do you plan to continue learning and growing professionally after you enter the workforce?

Asia: Haven’t given it much thought, I like to believe I’m still learning while on the job. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a hard skill to learn something new every day.

What advice would you give to a high school student considering pursuing a business major?

Asia: Start making connections on LinkedIn early and build a resume early. Do a ton of online programs to expose yourself to that content. Bonus: Join business clubs or organizations on campus and consider taking an economics class!

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