What Can I Do with a Business Administration Degree?What Can I Do with a Business Administration Degree?What Can I Do with a Business Administration Degree?

In modern business, the only constant is change. Innovation is happening at breakneck speed, leaving organizations hungry for the unique ideas of effective leaders. Business processes will almost certainly play a role in the career path of most professionals, regardless of whether their goals are in banking, manufacturing, art, hospitality, or far beyond. Those wondering, “What can I do with a business administration degree?” should know that there are plentiful opportunities in today’s job market for professionals with diverse, dynamic business expertise.

A business administration degree provides broad business knowledge. With broad knowledge comes ample opportunity. For those weighing their degree options, it’s important to seek programs that teach the fundamental communication and leadership skills needed to adapt quickly to a rapidly changing business environment.

The following sections of this guide will help you understand the employment landscape that may await those with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration generally requires 120 hours of study and is designed to help prepare students for careers in the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sectors. The objective is to promote the development of a wide range of skills, including decision-making and advanced communication, in preparation for leadership roles across industries.

Principal subjects typically include management, finance, marketing, accounting, human resources, and international business, among others. The curriculum prioritizes knowledge in diverse areas, including people management, organizational strategies, leadership, and business-focused computer application.

Individuals who complete a bachelor’s in business administration degree develop the knowledge and in-demand skills that can help them maximize an organization’s ROI.
Upon completion of a business administration program, graduates find they’re equipped with a range of hard and soft skills that are transferable to a variety of business settings, such as government/public sector, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, technology firms, marketing firms, and more. Examples of these skills include the following:

Leadership
A business degree program can better prepare students to be effective leaders. These skills will help graduates negotiate deals, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively.

Business Accounting
The backbone of every successful business is accurate accounting. Professionals who comprehend profits, losses, credit, debt, and the nuances of business finance are better equipped to help a business grow and profit.

Advanced Communication
A business degree program helps improve personal communication, while encouraging others to communicate effectively. Advanced communication skills aid in understanding the big picture when it comes to internal and external organizational communication.

Professional Confidence
In business, confidence is king. The added knowledge and competency that comes with having a business degree helps strengthen and add clarity to communication efforts, which are essential for career advancement. Students learn to speak with more certainty and conviction — and are likely taken more seriously. Most importantly, professional confidence leads to increased productivity and a willingness to tackle new projects.

Graduates of an online bachelor’s in business administration degree program often find they have a variety of available career opportunities. From human resources management to database administrator and everything in between, the possibilities are vast. Other possible career paths include the following roles.

Management
Regardless of the organization, management works to improve overall performance and productivity, identify and solve problems, implement change, and carry out the shared vision of the company. Management roles require self-motivation, stamina, and most importantly, an ability to thrive under minimal supervision. Management jobs can be found in almost any industry, including healthcare, technology, business, finance, and more.

Marketing
The broad knowledge gained through a business degree program is particularly valuable in marketing, since the field can include roles in brand management, integrated communication, public relations, advertising, digital marketing, e-marketing, and social media. While the roles are diverse, most principles of marketing and effective communication are universal. Marketing jobs exist in almost every industry, including education, finance, and technology.

Public Administration
Leaders who wish to contribute to the country and its citizens are often destined for government work and public service. The career options in government are vast and typically require strong skills in accounting, decision-making, persuasion, negotiating, operations, and communication.

Independent Consulting
Few industries require business acumen more than independent consulting. Being self-employed means success begins and ends with individual expertise, judgment, communication, productivity and, as a result, profit. The professional confidence gained through the right business degree program holds significant value for independent consultants.

Logistics
The logistics industry connects suppliers with consumers through transportation modes such as air cargo, freight rail, express delivery, maritime transport, and truck hauling. Overseeing and coordinating the many disparate functions that encompass modern logistics takes leadership, professional confidence, and critical thinking — all skills emphasized in a business degree program.

Finance
The financial industry seeks business graduates to become leaders in financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and investment services, among others. A business degree is designed to prepare graduates to take on responsibilities pertaining to lending, economics, and accounting, as well as professional opportunities in other areas of a financial organization, including marketing and human resources.

Real Estate
Business concepts — from finance and accounting to economics and marketing — are essential for a real estate career. The industry is constantly subject to fluctuating market valuations and changing buyer trends. As a result, real estate professionals require analytical and predictive business proficiency to be successful.

Students who complete an online business administration program can pursue a variety of career paths. Examples of jobs you can get with a business administration degree include the following:

Management Analyst
Management analysts focus on the improvement of an organization from a time and cost-efficiency perspective. While they play an important analytical role, they are also consultants, advising managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues. According to the compensation website PayScale, as of May 2020 the starting salary for a management analyst was $47,000, with a median annual wage of $66,047.

Human Resources Specialist
Human resources specialists manage the recruitment, interviewing, placement, and retention of employees. In addition, they often perform tasks related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training. PayScale reports that as of May 2020, the starting salary for an HR specialist was $36,000, with a median average annual salary of $49,495.

Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts evaluate market conditions to determine the sales potential of a product or service. This role is not industry-specific, which enables fairly consistent employment in varying economic conditions. Market research analysts consult with clients about what products are in demand, who will buy them, and at what price. May 2020 data from PayScale indicates the starting salary for professionals in the field was $40,000, with a median annual wage of $53,514.

Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate appraisers assign a value estimate on land and buildings, typically before they are developed, sold, taxed, mortgaged, or insured. They spend most of their time in the field visiting properties, rather than working in an office setting. As reported by PayScale, the starting wage as of May 2020 for real estate appraisers was $37,000, with a median annual wage of $60,350.

Loan Officer
Most loan officers are employed by commercial banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and financial institutions. They evaluate, authorize, or recommend the approval of residential and commercial loan applications. PayScale reports that as of May 2020, the starting salary for loan officers was $32,000, with a median annual wage of $46,759.

While there’s clearly plenty you can do with a business administration degree at the undergraduate level, earning a master’s in business administration is an excellent way to deliver an even greater return on your educational investment.

For example, May 2020 data from PayScale indicates that graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree earn a median salary of $61,641 per year, while MBA holders earn an average of $87,910 per year.
According to Monster.com, MBA graduates often report that the skills they gained in the classroom are directly transferable to their respective careers. For example, one respondent polled for an article credits her MBA experience with learning how to listen to colleagues’ viewpoints, adding that she now knows how to challenge their positions when necessary with politeness and constructive communication techniques. Her MBA classroom experience, she said, also taught her when to back off.

Other respondents said earning an advanced degree provided them with a variety of career advancement opportunities. In addition to gaining a broad perspective of how the business world and the economy work, they gained various transferable skills, such as a greater understanding of human relations and organizational behavior. These skills helped them as they transitioned to advanced roles in their field.

A program that offers practical experience, as well as an opportunity to speak the language of business and apply leadership skills, can have a significant impact on an individual’s career. By pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, graduates may enjoy a more flexible career with more potential for growth in a wide range of industries, not to mention better job security in varying economic climates.

If you’re wondering what to do with a business administration degree, explore how Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Business Administration and online Master of Business Administration programs help prepare students for successful careers in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

Recommended Reading

Exploring Entrepreneurship: Starting and Operating a Small Business

Business Careers

Soft skills: Why Businesses Crave Them

Sources

Houston Chronicle, “Advantages of Studying Business Management”

Houston Chronicle, “How Beneficial is a Degree in Business Management?”

Houston Chronicle, “The Salary for Business Administration Right Out of College”

Monster.com, “Best-Paying Jobs for Business Majors”

Monster.com, “How an MBA Can Help You”

PayScale, Average HR Specialist Salary

PayScale, Average Loan Officer Salary

PayScale, Average Management Analyst Salary

PayScale, Average Market Research Analyst Salary

PayScale, Average Real Estate Appraiser Salary

PayScale, Bachelor’s Degree Salary

PayScale, Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree