##Businesses are all around you

Look around right now. Your phone, your shoes, the chair you’re sitting on, even the snack in your backpack — all came from a business or organization. A business or organization makes or sells something people want or need. When many businesses or organizations have end users for similar products or services, we call that a market.

The phone market includes Apple, Samsung, and other companies competing for your attention who sell phones. The food market includes restaurants, grocery stores, and delivery services. If you can touch it, buy it, or use it, there’s a business and a market behind it!

What is something you use every day that you did not realize is part of a business?

##Industries: Grouping similar businesses and organizations together

When we group businesses or organizations that do similar things, we call that an industry. Think of industries like neighborhoods where related businesses live.

The technology industry includes companies like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok. They all work with computers, apps, and software. Other industries include:

  • Healthcare: hospitals, pharmacies, and medical supply makers
  • Education: schools and online learning platforms
  • Retail: stores that sell things directly to you
  • Trades: skilled workers like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters

Every industry needs many people doing different jobs to keep things running. According to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which is the official system the government uses to classify all organizations (including nonprofits, government agencies, and for-profits) that conduct economic activity and industry in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, there are 20 broad industries and over 1000 detailed industries.

##Companies: The players in each industry

A company (also called an employer or organization) is one business inside an industry.

Google is one company in the technology industry. Target is one company in retail. Khan Academy is one organization in education. Each company hires people to do the work that helps it succeed.

Think about some of the businesses and organizations you’re familiar with. What industries do they fall into?

##Inside a company: How work gets organized

Every company has an organizational chart, a map that shows who does what and how employees' roles relate to each other. For example, you can see the relationships between colleagues, peers, and bosses. Within it are job functions, or departments, that handle certain types of work:

  • Marketing tells people about the company’s products/services, or helps understand who the market is and what motivates them select certain products/services
  • Operations makes sure daily work runs smoothly
  • Human Resources (HR) hires and supports employees
  • Finance manages money
  • Sales grows the business by selling products or services to end customers
  • Product manages and develops the physical products or digital technology the organization sells

[[☃ image 1]]

##Your place in the organization

Inside each job function are different job roles with specific job titles that show what someone does and their level of responsibility.

For example, in Marketing:

  • Marketing Intern is an entry-level learner
  • Marketing Coordinator handles tasks and projects
  • Marketing Manager leads a small team
  • Vice President (VP) of Marketing leads the whole department

Your job title shows what you’re responsible for and who you report to on the organizational chart. One common example is that when people get more responsibilities and get promoted, their titles change to reflect this responsibility level.

##Building your career: The path is yours

A career is the blend of jobs you have during your working life, often in a related field. Your career path is the unique route you take and blend of experiences you have — the education, jobs, companies, and industries you work in over time and what you do each step of the way.

No two career paths are the same! You build yours with these key pieces:

  • Skills: Abilities you learn, like writing, coding, or problem-solving.
  • Education: The learning you complete (diplomas, degrees, or certifications).
  • Internships: Short work experiences where you learn about a career or industry.
  • Networking: Meeting people who can teach, mentor, or connect you to jobs.

##Putting it all together

Here’s how it connects:

  • Markets and businesses exist everywhere
  • Similar businesses form industries
  • Companies work within those industries
  • Each company has job functions and job roles
  • You build your career path by growing skills, gaining education, doing internships, and networking to secure the jobs you want to pursue

Your mix of these experiences creates your unique career.

[[☃ image 3]]

##Why this matters to you

Understanding these concepts helps you make smarter choices about your future. You’ll be able to explore different paths, compare options, and decide what kind of career you want to build: one that fits your interests, values, and goals.

Every industry and company needs people with different skills and roles. Your goal is to explore, find what excites you, and start building your own career path.

What is a personal quality or skill that you have that would be helpful to a business or organization?