Business
Earlham’s business program is the home for our students interested in business, entrepreneurship and management, but it’s never business as usual.
Our classes prepare you to make a positive impact locally and globally. With an emphasis on experiential education, you’ll work collaboratively with students from around the world to analyze complex business and social problems, develop new programs and strategies, and understand the ecosystem of industries, businesses and nongovernmental organizations.
Courses take you from theory to practice of basic business skills. Additionally, all of our majors complete at least one internship to continue to build skills and personal networks.
Co-curricular opportunities further your ability to hone your skills. You can compete for start-up funding in business plan competitions, compete against peers at other schools in case competitions, lead or participate in our Net Impact chapter, and participate in research with faculty. You will be mentored through these opportunities by our faculty.
Start your adventure
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Work and lead in a global society
Every business major completes an internship. Off-campus programs in Philadelphia and Washington provide structured internship opportunities. Internships can also be completed at an organization of your choosing, either in the US or abroad. You can apply for funding for your internship through the Epic Advantage program, so that you can pursue an internship that aligns with your goals and values.
Outcomes
Top job industries for recent business graduates have included nonprofits, education, management consulting, transportation and logistics, software, marketing and more.
of work seekers who majored in the social sciences between 2018-2022 were employed, pursuing graduate school or volunteering within six months of graduation.
Global perspectives
The business major averages 40 percent representation by international students, who come to our campus from over 50 countries. Our U.S. students come from all over the country and many different backgrounds. Students can expect to work in a multinational group on a regular basis in almost every class in the major.
Launch your business
Every year, students have the opportunity to compete in business plan competitions that can result in seed funding for a new business or nonprofit addressing a social challenge. These include the international million-dollar Hult Prize, which Earlham students won in 2016, and the Earlham & Dimick Eastman Grand Challenge, an alumni-funded proposal competition focused on addressing food deserts and lack of warming centers in Richmond, Indiana. Our faculty will also provide mentorship for your business or project plans outside of these competitions.
Earlham encourages us to take what we learn in the classroom and apply it out in the real world. In my short time at Earlham, I’ve met plenty of people doing just that, whether it’s through clubs that address housing inequality in the locality or through starting initiatives that address environmental issues. I’ve also participated in the Earlham & Dimick Eastman Grand Challenge, a startup competition that focuses on local entrepreneurship.”
— Christine Johnson ’25
Peace and Global Studies
Frequently asked questions
Recent graduates have found employment at a wide variety of organizations from First Bank in Indianapolis to the World Bank in Palestine, working in a range of fields, everything from finance to logistics to marketing and hospitality.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to finding an internship as a business student. Because every business major must complete an internship requirement, we have robust resources to help you identify opportunities and feel supported throughout your experience.
Recent majors have interned at Adobe Systems, Huntington Bank, Asia Tech Source, CoverMyMeds, the City of Richmond and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), among many other places.
Business students are problem-solvers and team builders. They see the world’s problems as puzzles to be solved through the creative application of business practices. Whether you want to start your own business or nonprofit, or work your way up through an existing organization, the business major can provide you the skills you need to lead and manage–for good.
Our faculty
Our faculty bring a diverse perspective and wealth of knowledge to our classrooms. We have expertise in various industries and work experience in numerous countries, types of organizations and positions.