# Careers & Leadership Part of the American Business Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/american-business/guide/index.md) *Putting It All Together* > **6.** 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](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/american-business/guide/req1c/): 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? > **Tip** > > The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook is the best free resource for career research. It covers hundreds of careers with data on education, pay, job outlook, and what workers actually do. The link is below. [Occupational Outlook Handbook — BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/): 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](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/american-business/guide/scout-interviewing-leader?v=916a4d5b) > **Be Prepared! Getting the Interview** > > Approaching a business leader can feel intimidating. Here is how to set up the interview: > > - **Step one**: Identify someone you would like to interview. Start with people you already know or people connected to your troop, school, or community. > - **Step two**: Contact them by phone, email, or in person. Explain that you are working on the American Business merit badge and would like to interview them about their career and business. > - **Step three**: Be flexible about timing. Business leaders are busy — offer to meet at their convenience, even if it means a brief 20-minute conversation. > - **Step four**: Prepare your questions in advance and bring them written down. This shows you are serious and organized. ### 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](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/american-business/guide/req3c/). 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](https://www.score.org/find-a-mentor): 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. --- - Previous: [Researching a Business](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/american-business/guide/req5/index.md) - Next: [Extended Learning](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/american-business/guide/extended-learning/index.md)