Business for non-majors

"Not that y'all know what it is, but does this look like business-casual to you?" \nThis question, posed to me and two of my roommates by our marketing friend, exemplifies the mentality of many "Kelley Kids." \nWe, outside the B-School, couldn't possibly comprehend what would be appropriate attire for a casual interview or relaxed work environment. Work? Interviews? Golly, I never heard nothin' about that in any of my COAS classes. I thought fancy stuff like dressin' up and answerin' questions was fer, like, important people on TV and stuff -- not us regular college folk. Jeepers, I'm darn confused, maybe some of y'all business people could write in and 'splain it to me. \nIt seems to me for the most grueling, arduous major on campus, there sure are a lot of business students. If it's really that hard, isn't it a little surprising so many thousands are able to do it? Despite their large numbers, many business students seem all too convinced they are smarter and work harder than anyone else on campus. That would explain why many like to congregate into business cliques -- the dichotomy in intelligence levels would make socializing far too difficult were they, too associate with common students. After a bit of research, I've attempted to break down the cliques, so those of us outside the B-School will know just what kind of arrogance we're dealing with.\nFirst, there are the direct-admit and honors students -- hold on to your seats kids, this ego-trip is about to take off. Not only are they studying in the brightest, most revered school on campus -- they didn't even have to apply! Using the standardized test scores of a 16-year-old to predict aptitude in the business world may seem asinine or absurd to some, but these business Doogie Howsers form the upper echelon of intelligence, no questions asked (except for "I got a 97.3 percent on the business law midterm, how did you do?"). \nJust like at your old high school, being the smartest doesn't mean you're the coolest at "Kelley High." To be in the coolest clique there, you have to network outside the B-School -- no, that doesn't mean mingling with education majors (cue snickering) -- but it does mean making the trip down to Kirkwood every weekend to bond while you bong with your fellow B-Schoolers. But even among the revelers, there are divides. For example, the business Greeks versus the Greeks in business. Ah yes, those in co-ed business fraternities versus those in fraternities and sororities who are in business -- so alike, can't they all just get along? Apparently not. \nFinally, there are cliques among majors. At the top is accounting, followed closely by finance. I turned to my roommate to sum up this business perspective -- "If you want a 'Mrs.,' go for the accounting majors. Yeah, they're boring, but they're gonna be rich. Besides, you can always have an affair." \nDon't get me wrong, I don't doubt business majors work very hard and the B-School is challenging. It's just there are many comparable academic challenges outside of business at IU. I-Core sucks, I'm sure, but so do organic chemistry, calculus III and other courses taken on a full schedule. Besides, there are many entrepreneurs and successful business people who not only didn't graduate from Kelley (gasp!), but who didn't graduate from college at all. On the contrary, it's not too often that you hear "Well, I dropped out of college, thought of a great idea, got some funding and lo and behold, I'm an ER physician!" \nIt would serve more than a few business students well to recognize every major presents its own challenges, and all students deserve respect -- not just those on 10th Street.