Colleges and universities tell you there is nothing more valuable than education. “Knowledge is power,” they all repeat over and over. However, employers often say that experience is the key to being hired. Combining the two can be a powerful way to leverage your application for employment to gain attention over the thousands of others that pass through the human resources department of your desired workplace. Finding an entry level position with a company that has room for growth is one option to gain experience. Another is to look for companies that offer business management internships.

For the education portion there are a few options. One is to go the traditional route of university or college degree program. Another is to take a specialized business management training course leading to a certification credential. Pairing business management internships or entry level positions with educational experiences is an extremely effective preparation for a career. The obvious benefit to an entry level job in a company is a salary. However, an internship is better in some ways, as well. For instance, people who hire and work with interns know they are there not only to fill a position but also to learn. They are, therefore more likely to be helpful and give advice.

University or college degree programs are very thorough, but studies have shown that employers and alumni say that only twenty percent of these university or college degree programs are made up of the important business leadership skills. The other eighty percent is theory and extraneous information not completely necessary for success. While university programs can take years to complete and cost thousands of dollars, business management training courses can be completed in six to twelve months and can cost under a thousand dollars. With an online format, they are highly flexible and very compatible with business management internships and entry level jobs.

Experienced, successful business leaders lead some of these courses. Great trainers have experience in multiple areas and international business. The curriculum should be heavily focused on material that is practically applicable, even beneficial when taken concurrently with business management internships or entry level jobs. The best programs result in a business management specialist certification. This credential can be added to resumes and business cards. Some even provide alumni resources after completion of the course. With this specialized training and experience approach, applicants can make their files stand out among the others wanting the job opening.