I’ve been in the Boston area for over a month now and haven’t exactly been successful at finding the job of my dreams. I was perhaps too hopeful and to caught up in just leaving that I neglected to consider this hypothesis: A science undergraduate degree is not the optimal method of reaching an entry-level business position. I have taken some time to come up with an argument both for and against this thought, a statement that I feel is likely generalized and full of assumption.
When Science Undergrads Should Be Hired For Entry-Level Business Positions
As an undergraduate, a science major has to achieve along one of the most difficult learning curves. The theorems, postulates and sheer knowledge a science major must retain in order to pass a class is immense. More importantly, though, is the time involved: A good science major understands that time outside of class, late into the evening, and over a weekend is essential to obtain a decent grade in a course.
The American business mentality states that, to be successful in business, working 40 hour weeks is not enough. Instead, you work until the job is completed (and completed well), which may mean 60-70 hour weeks in many instances. As it turns out, research scientists have the identical mentality: I have friends working in research labs that frequently pull 13-hour days because they have to — otherwise they won’t be successful.
Also important is that a science major has a broad understanding of a variety of subjects, indicating the student’s ability to multitask, an ability essential in the process of developing business. (I will admit here, though, that the ability to multitask and the ability to remain organized are two very separate competencies.) I’m adamant when I say that many science majors have the aptitude to be very successful in a business setting, though there are certainly some instances where this many not be the best option…
When Science Undergrads Should Not Be Hired For Entry-Level Business Positions
…usually due to personality and business knowledge issues.
The largest drawback to hiring a scientist for a business development, sales or other such business positions has to do with personality. The stereotypical scientist can be socially awkward and clueless on common sense, which certainly wouldn’t help secure any deals or important accounts. (I’ll address this some more down a few paragraphs.)
More importantly for the initial position, though, is the lack of understanding for business topics. Sales graphs, business lingo, appropriate attire, small talk, what the heck is an EBITDA, and so forth. In many cases, these are items that a science major simply doesn’t know anything about while an individual with undergraduate business experience would be more in-tune to understanding the for-profit world.
—-
First, the ‘stereotypical scientist’ issue is misguided. Bluntly, a scientist that fits this stereotype will not be applying for a business professional position; this type of science major will desire to be in a lab, not at conferences or in sales meetings. Secondly, a science major has proven (by obtaining a degree with a high degree of difficulty) that the student does not have any inability to learn; business exposure and profession business courses, such as a part-time MBA program, will present a science major with more knowledge and an easier learning curve to achieve long-term business goals.
In reality, though, advancing a science major’s business knowledge may take a better part of a year to achieve, and that is rarely an acceptable timeframe in a business setting. For most, it would be much easier to take a business undergraduate student and quickly mold him or her into the craft.
To end, I will leave with my own thoughts. I do agree with the thought that hiring a science person for a business position is a riskier move. However, I also believe that with this added risk can bring a higher degree of growth in the long run, as a scientist will use the business opportunity to both challenge and grow after the individual learns and understands how the backend of business operates.
To be sustainable in business there has to be opportunity for growth. Management must have the ability to constantly examine new options, weigh chances of success, and execute changes while undergoing constant scrutiny through trial/error to reach the most desirable [profitable] outcome… a feat that is achieved via scientific process, going from a hypothesis, conducting trials, and analyzing the outcome to determine success.
A science major interested in business could be a quality choice for an entry level business position, though certainly not the most likely. It may simply come down to the needs of the company hiring and how involved a manager would like to be in educating new hires of business practices within a particular industry. I do believe that there is a greater risk/reward to hiring a successful scientist with a good personality and high learning acumen as a business professional, but there is also something to be said for those individuals who pursue a degree in business: they’re applying for the job that they initially set out for, and that’s probably worth something.