#197 Avoiding the Default Major: Smart Steps for Aspiring Business Students with Anita Doddi

Flourish Coaching

Oct 21, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and Anita discuss:

The growing trend of students choosing business as a “default” or undecided major
The value of real-world work experiences for high school and college students exploring business
What competitive business school admissions officers truly look for beyond academics
How reflection, course choices, and extracurriculars shape clarity and college readiness for business majors

Key Takeaways:

Students should pursue any kind of job or small business experience—from babysitting to retail—to build basic professional and business skills early.
Reflection on experiences is essential for college essays and interviews; students who articulate what they learned stand out more than those who list achievements.
Highly selective programs expect applicants to demonstrate problem-solving and awareness of real-world, local business issues, not just academic excellence.
Choosing challenging coursework like Calculus and exploring available business electives in high school can strengthen both preparedness and application competitiveness.

“What I see from a lot of students is that what helps them get away from being undecided is actually those real-world experiences, whether it’s in the summer or after school.” – Anita Doddi

About Anita Doddi:

Anita has spent her career helping students get where they’re trying to go, beginning with her early days as an academic adviser at the University of Chicago. She’s guided hundreds of students through admissions, with many accepted to top universities, including the University of Michigan, Cornell, UPenn, Columbia, and all the UC schools. Fascinated with teenagers and a parent herself, Anita builds trusting relationships, asks thoughtful questions, and helps students and parents recognize strengths they hadn’t seen before. She especially enjoys working with students who are undecided about their paths and continues giving back through volunteering, mentoring, and presenting at admissions conferences.

Episode References:

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-Nike-ebook/dp/B0176M1A44
Explore the Flourish Coaching “Majors” Resource to access the spreadsheet, sample email, and video guide at flourishcoachingco.com/majors
#185 From “Little Jobs” to Big Wins: Internship Strategies That Work with Ramon Santillan: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/185-from-little-jobs-to-big-wins-internship-strategies-that-work-with-ramon-santillan/

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

flourishcoachingco.com/video