Effective Fall 2025, DGS will become the Division of Exploratory Studies. Same mission; new name.

Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Major Description

The Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Major examines how business opportunities are identified and exploited for society through existing and new organizations. Students will learn how to generate and evaluate ideas, develop those ideas into products and services, assemble resources (including finances), mitigate risks, and lead organizations that meet human needs. The SIE degree prepares students to work within existing organizations and create new for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

 

Courses That Introduce the Major:
  • BADM 310- Management and Organizational Behavior
  • BADM 320- Principles of Marketing
  • BADM 341- Foundations of Strategic Management

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities:

Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (SIE) students are equipped to develop and manage new businesses, either as independent startups or new business units within existing companies. SIE graduates are prepared for careers as innovators with an existing organization, managers in a creativity-driven field, or developers of new business ventures. Entrepreneurship requires vision, and SIE students are encouraged to be bold as they consider career paths in business development, consulting, private equity, product management, venture capital, and more. Some students may even start their own businesses while they earn their Gies baccalaureate SIE degrees.

No
  • Oral & Written communication skills
  • Active listening skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Ability to work well with people of differing personalities and background
  • Ability to make appropriate decisions and sound judgments
  • Ability to persuade and influence others
  • Possess a good understanding of vocabulary and have effective communication skills
  • Ability to solve problems
  • Physical stamina and emotional well-being
  • Aptitude for selling
  • Negotiations
  • Team building
  • Relationship management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Consultant, Management or Organizational
  • Entrepreneur
  • Job Analyst
  • Organizational Development Specialist
  • Product Analyst
  • Consultant
  • Strategy Consultant

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience:

Consider joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to the SIE Major.

  • Ascend
  • Illinois Enactus
  • iVenture Accelerator
  • FACES Consulting
  • Founders
  • Future Business Leader of America
  • Minority Business Students Association
  • OTCR Consulting
  • Society of Women in Business
  • TAMID
Further Information:

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Supply Chain Management.  Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Supply Chain Management.  Such professional organizations include-

  • The IndUS Entrepreneurs
  • The United States Chamber of Commerce
  • The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
  • The International Entrepreneurs Association, United Kingdom
  • The International Franchise Association
  • Business Professionals of America
  • Business Network International (BNI)
  • The American Management Association
  • The American Business Women's Association
  • National Association of Black Accountants
  • The National Association for the Self-Employed
  • The National Federation of Independent Business
  • The National Association of Entrepreneurship
  • TiE Global Network
  • U.S. Small Business Administration
  • National Small Business Association
  • The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship

 

The Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Major replaced the now-extinct Strategic Business Development and Entrepreneurship (SBD&E) Major.