Business Administration Careers

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Whether you're just starting your career or looking to make a change, business administration offers many opportunities for growth and success. With a bachelor's degree in business administration, you can pursue various career paths, such as logistician, financial and investment analyst, marketing manager, and more.

However, with so many options, choosing the right path can be overwhelming. On this page we'll explore the different career paths within business administration and provide insights on advancing in this field.

Business Administration Career Paths

Along with factors like program cost and length, on-campus requirements, and accreditation, you should weigh available concentrations or specialties and how these options may affect your available career paths.

Check out the following list of specialties, which includes both traditional and modern business career pathways.

Accounting

This path covers the financial aspects of business, including financial statements, transactions, and the reconciliation of accounts. In addition to financial accounting, you can also pursue auditing, cost accounting, managerial accounting, and tax accounting.

Explore Accounting Careers

Computer Information Systems

In this career path, you'll explore the technical and business sides of management information systems. Computer and information systems managers typically need graduate degrees in addition to basic business proficiency, so going on to earn a master of business administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in computer information systems may be a sensible choice if you wish to work in this field.

Finance

With a focus on investments, raising capital, and managing risk, finance is one of the core functional areas of business, and business administration students already study this topic to some degree in their core curriculum. However, you can specialize in personal financial planning or business financial management.

Explore Finance Careers

Marketing

Marketing focuses on promotion to help ensure an organization's success and sustainability. Business administration careers that emphasize marketing skills include roles in advertising and public relations. As a marketing professional, you'll learn to assess consumer behavior, build brands and brand loyalty, and strategically market goods and services.

Explore Marketing Careers

Business Administration Career and Salary Outlook

Business administration spans a variety of roles requiring managerial and operational skills, essential for running any business. These skills are applicable across various companies and industries, with varying salary scales.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for business and financial operations stands at $79,050, as of May 2023.

Salaries can fluctuate based on factors such as geographical location, academic qualifications, years of relevant experience, work environment, and more.

How to Start Your Career in Business Administration

To begin your business career, you'll first need to determine what level of degree to get. This could be an associate degree to start working as quickly as possible or a bachelor's degree to open up a wider range of career prospects.

You'll need to select a degree program that matches your career goals and educational needs. As you work through your degree, focus on developing essential business skills, such as strategic planning, financial literacy, leadership, effective communication, and tech-savviness.

During your degree, you can gain practical experience through internships and entry-level positions. This not only helps you apply your learning in a real-world context but also allows you to start building a professional network in your chosen field.

Bachelor's in Business Administration

A bachelor's in business administration (BBA) is often the first step in preparing for a career in this field. This degree provides a solid foundation in the principles of business, including areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, and operations management.

A BBA can open doors to entry-level positions in various sectors, including finance, technology, healthcare, and more. Some typical entry-level roles for BBA graduates include sales representative, human resources specialist, financial analyst, and operations manager.

Master's in Business Administration

For those looking to advance further in their careers, a master's in business administration (MBA) can be a valuable asset. An MBA not only deepens your understanding of business concepts and strategies but also helps develop advanced leadership and management skills.

This degree is often required for higher-level positions in many organizations. With an MBA, you can aim for roles like project manager, financial manager, marketing manager, or even executive positions.

Additionally, many MBA programs offer specializations in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, or information technology, allowing you to tailor your education to your career goals.

Doctorate in Business Administration

For those aiming for leadership or managerial positions, a doctorate in business administration (DBA) can be the key. A DBA is designed for experienced professionals who want to gain an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of business management.

This degree can open doors to top executive positions, consulting roles, or academic careers. DBA graduates can work as CEOs, CFOs, business consultants, or university professors. This degree requires several years of study beyond a master's degree, along with a dissertation that contributes original research to the field of business administration.

How to Advance Your Career in Business Administration

Advancing in your career in business administration requires strategic planning and continuous learning. This can be achieved by setting clear career goals and working towards them, seeking feedback and learning from it, taking on additional responsibilities, and staying up-to-date with industry trends and developments.

Additionally, pursuing further education or professional certifications can enhance your skills and make you more attractive to employers. Here are some steps you can take to further your career in business administration:

Certifications and/or Licensure

Professional certifications or licenses can make you stand out in the competitive field of business administration. These credentials demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your competence in specific areas. Some certifications, such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification, are required to work as a professional in the field.

Certifications can be general, such as Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or specific to a certain area of business administration, such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) for professionals working in supply chain management.

The process of obtaining these certifications often involves passing an examination and meeting certain education and experience requirements.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is another effective way to advance your career in business administration. This can take the form of postgraduate degrees — such as an MBA — diploma courses, or online learning programs.

These programs can help you keep up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field, deepen your understanding of business concepts and practices, and develop advanced skills in areas such as strategic planning, leadership, and data analysis. Continuing education not only enhances your job prospects but also contributes to personal growth and lifelong learning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Administration Careers

Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 17, 2024.