Careers with a Business Administration Degree

Are you a natural leader and a gifted communicator? Do you have excellent analytical and logical ability? Are you a people’s person with above average interpersonal skills? Have you won awards or accolades for your organizational expertise? If your answer to all the above questions is a resounding yes, then you may be the ideal candidate for a Business Administration degree.

While traditionally a Business Administration degree was the exclusive reserve of the crème-de-le-crème of the corporate world, that’s no longer the case.

The biggest indicator of the fact that business education is no longer the right of a privileged few is the availability of this degree at Bachelor’s level. The assumption is that the prospect may not have the relevant experience or exposure to the industry but has the drive to learn and make it big in the business world!

A Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree is a typical four-year program that will prepare graduates for entry-level managerial roles in various business fields depending on their interest and area of specialization. Here’s an overview of some of the possible careers with a Business Administration degree:

Sales and Marketing: Although often spoken in the same breath, sales and marketing are actually two divergent fields of business. Broadly speaking, the primary objective of a sales manager is to sell a product or service to the target consumer. Developing sales strategy, training and mentoring sales reps, and setting and reviewing sales targets are some important duties of a sales manager.

The core job of a marketing manager, on the other hand, is to drive the strategy for first identifying what people need, working with the product development team to develop the product with desired features, pricing it correctly, and then promoting the product (or service) amongst its target audience.

Human Resources: This branch of business is focused on the most valuable asset of an organization, namely, its people. Human resources management involves recruitment and management of an organization’s employees and includes activities such as staffing, establishing company policies, managing employee benefits and compensation, dealing with performance issues, working on employee training, benefits, and motivation programs, etc. Administration skills combined with a “people’s” personality can make one an excellent human resources professional.

Financial Services: One of the most lucrative careers with a business administration degree is that of a financial manager. According to the Department of Labor, the duties of a financial manager include overseeing the preparation of financial reports, directing investment activities, and implementing cash management strategies. With a background in finance, you can find a broad range of employment opportunities in financial institutions like banks, insurance companies, credit unions, small businesses and large corporate houses, and state and federal agencies.

Accounting: Another career option you can explore with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree is that of a management accountant. Management or corporate accountants are the custodians of an organization’s financial health. Budgeting, cost accounting, asset management, financial reporting, financial planning, and tax planning are some of the responsibilities of a management accountant.

Real Estate: If you like to walk the road less traveled, real estate or property management is an interesting field of business you can explore. As a real estate manager, your clients will rely on

you to manage the operations of a property and monitor its life-cycle from acquisition and utilization to maintenance and disposition. If you want to become a real estate manager, make sure your business administration program allows you to specialize in property management.

Health Services: Health service management is probably amongst the most rewarding careers with a Business Administration degree. The job of a health service manager is to take care of the administrative and business aspects of a healthcare unit to ensure the smooth delivery of primary patient care. Although a degree in healthcare administration ties in more closely with this field, those who have Business Administration degree with a concentration in healthcare administration may also qualify for the job of a health services manager.

While all these careers may be open to you with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree, what can really propel you on to high profile business positions is an MBA degree. A Bachelor’s degree will provide you with a perfect start, while a Master’s degree will ensure that you always stay ahead in the race!