Putting It All Together

Req 6 — Careers & Leadership

Do ONE of the following:

Choose the option that interests you most. Both paths will deepen your understanding of business careers and leadership.

Option A: Research a Business Career

6a.

Choose one of the primary areas of business and identify three career opportunities. Select one and research the education, training, and experience required for this career. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this interests you.

Step 1: Pick an Area

Go back to the five primary areas of business you learned in Req 1c: accounting, finance, economics, marketing, or management. Which one sounds most interesting to you? That is your starting point.

Step 2: Identify Three Careers

Each area of business offers many career paths. Here are some examples to get you thinking:

Area	Career Examples
Accounting	Certified Public Accountant (CPA), auditor, tax preparer, forensic accountant, bookkeeper
Finance	Financial analyst, investment banker, financial planner, loan officer, venture capitalist
Economics	Economist, market research analyst, policy advisor, data analyst, urban planner
Marketing	Marketing manager, brand strategist, social media manager, market research analyst, public relations specialist
Management	Operations manager, project manager, human resources manager, supply chain manager, entrepreneur

Step 3: Deep Dive Into One Career

Once you have identified three careers, pick the one that excites you most and research these details:

Education: What degree or training is typically required? Do you need a college degree, or are there alternative paths?
Training: Are there certifications, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training programs?
Experience: How do people typically start in this career? What entry-level positions lead to it?
Salary range: What can someone in this career expect to earn?
Day-to-day work: What does a typical workday look like?
Growth outlook: Is this career field growing, stable, or shrinking?

Occupational Outlook Handbook — BLS Search for any career to find detailed information on education requirements, salary, job outlook, and daily responsibilities.

Option B: Interview a Business Leader

6b.

Select a business leader and interview this individual to learn more about his or her company and career path. Discuss the role ethics plays in making business decisions. Share what you have learned with your counselor.

Finding a Business Leader to Interview

You do not need to interview a Fortune 500 CEO. A “business leader” can be anyone who runs or manages a business:

A local business owner — a restaurant owner, shop manager, or service company operator
A professional in your community — a dentist, lawyer, or accountant who runs their own practice
A family member or family friend who holds a leadership role in a company
A manager or executive you connect with through your troop, school, or community

Preparing for the Interview

Good interviews come from good preparation. Write out your questions in advance and bring a notebook to record the answers.

Suggested questions:

How did you get started in business? What was your career path?
What does your company do, and what makes it different from competitors?
What is the hardest part of running a business?
What is the most rewarding part?
How do ethics influence your business decisions? Can you share an example?
What advice would you give a young person interested in business?
How has your industry changed during your career?

Conducting the Interview

Be on time. Arriving early shows respect for the person’s schedule.
Dress appropriately. Business casual is a good default.
Ask follow-up questions. If something interests you, dig deeper.
Listen more than you talk. This is about learning from their experience.
Thank them. Send a handwritten thank-you note or email after the interview.

A Scout in uniform sitting across from a business professional in an office, taking notes during an interview conversation, both looking engaged

The Ethics Question

The requirement specifically asks you to discuss the role of ethics in business decisions. This connects back to what you learned in Req 3c — Business Ethics. Ask the business leader for a real example of when they faced an ethical dilemma and how they handled it. Their answer will bring the concept of business ethics to life in a way that textbooks cannot.

Interview Prep Checklist

Get ready for a great conversation

Identify a business leader and schedule the interview
Write out 6–8 questions in advance, including one about ethics
Bring a notebook and pen to record answers
Dress appropriately and arrive on time
Listen actively and ask follow-up questions
Send a thank-you note afterward
Prepare a summary of what you learned for your counselor

SCORE Mentors — Free Business Mentoring SCORE connects people with experienced business mentors. Many SCORE mentors are happy to talk with young people interested in business.

You have completed all six requirements. But the world of business has so much more to offer. Head to the Extended Learning section for deeper dives and real-world opportunities.