A business administration degree is among the most prestigious degrees in postsecondary education. As a business degree holder, you get the majority of options and exciting career fields to choose from, and it won’t be wrong to consider it the most versatile program.
It leaves many people muddled up in a situation where they cannot identify which field would be the highest paying and suitable for them.
If you are also confused about what you can do with a business administration degree, follow along with this article to discover the best career options that align with your interests.
Significance of a Business Administration Degree
The business administration degree is all about analyzing the business market and managing day-to-day activity in the most efficient members. This degree equips the students with organizational skills that help them to identify the best course of action to boost productivity.
The core subjects of a business administration degree are:
- Finances
- Accountancy
- Business Management
- Economics
- Statistics
Candidates with business administration degrees are highly valued, as they have the tools and minds to guide business operations through dynamic phases.
Their curriculum navigates them through various research and case studies that help them to bring their personalized element to foster growth. To pursue your degree in business administration, it is important to understand which type will align with your needs.
Also Read: Difference Between Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees That You Should Know
Types of Degree Specialization in Business Administration
Business administration is a program that has 4 distinct degrees under it; each has its own importance and prepares students with different skill sets. The 4 types of business administration degrees are:
Associate Business Administration Degree
It’s an associate degree that can be considered as an alternative to a bachelor’s program and a suitable option for students with weak financial backgrounds. Moreover, it takes less time to complete (roughly 2 years) as compared to a typical 4-year business program.
Although you’ll only be eligible for entry-level jobs that are low-paying, this degree would be sufficient to teach you the basics of business law and management.
The entry-level jobs are:
- Sales Supervisor
- Sales Consultant
- Bank relationship manager
After completing your associate degree, you can directly kick-start your career or may wish to proceed with a bachelor’s degree to build a strong portfolio.
Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA)
BBA focuses on improving the soft and hard skills of students and preparing them for dynamic real-world situations through theoretical case studies. You get slightly better opportunities and pay scale compared to just having an associate’s degree.
The job options are:
- Financial Analysts
- Operation Manager
- Project Head
With a BBA degree, you may not get advanced career prospects, and it’s mostly regarded as a stepping stone. To unlock new avenues and higher pay scales, the majority of students also pursue an MBA.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Holding an MBA degree is considered a prominent source of having an illustrious career in business ventures. Pursuing an MBA strongly develops a grasp of core subjects like finance, accounting, marketing, economics, and business ethics, and strongly develops organizational skills.
It wouldn’t be wrong to coin major objects like psychology degree, sociology, economics, and finances under an MBA degree that lets you explore various prospects. Although many think the MBA is the highest form of degree in business administration, that is not entirely true.
Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) is the highest degree in business administration. It’s just similar to a Ph.D. degree, where original research is being conducted and covers detailed topics in finance and statistics.
Generally, people having C-suite positions in an organization are DBA degree holders. The reason most C-suite jobs are offered to DBA’s is because they consist of highly research-based programs that develop the analytical and cognitive skills of a person.
As pursuing an MBA is becoming common nowadays, if you have a DBA degree with you in your portfolio, then it would make you stand out.
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What Jobs You Can Get With a Business Administration Degree? 15 Most Demanded Opportunities
Business administration is the most versatile degree, as you get plenty of options to choose from in the business domain. This makes every graduate wonder what can I do with a business administration degree.
Moreover, compared to other bachelor’s degrees, business administration has better median salary offerings. Here are some top demanding jobs that you can pursue with a business administration degree.
Event Planner
Event planners or organizers are the most demanded career options that are based upon your soft skills. Moreover, there is no such rigid educational requirement, and you can continue even after completing your postgraduate degree.
Suitable For People With:
- A calm and composed nature.
- Good strategy-making skills.
- Stamina and energy to stand for a longer period.
- Self-motivation and drive.
Role and Responsibility:
- Plan upcoming events.
- Prepare a budget and communicate with sponsors.
- Maintain the decorum of the event and ensure everything goes as per plan.
- Hire support staff and crew members to smooth event operations.
Average Annual Salary:
- $70,000 (non experienced)
- $90,000 (experienced)
Financial Analyst or Bookkeeper
As the name suggests, this designation is all about maintaining financial records and overlooking expenses. You could either work for an organization or work individually.
Suitable For People With:
- Good mathematical skills.
- Ability to pay attention to details.
- Ability to solve complex problems.
Role and Responsibility:
- Prepare invoices and maintain financial records.
- Get thorough with various financial software.
- Perform transactions and maintain relationships with banks.
- Evaluating assets and expenditures of the firm.
Average Annual Salary:
- $88,000 (non experienced)
- $110,000 (experienced)
University or College Administrator
Every college and university appoints an administrator to oversee and manage day-to-day activities conducted in the institute. Maintaining the curriculum and dignity of the college, along with plenty of meetings and interaction with students for the welfare of the institute.
Suitable For People With:
- Keen interest in academics and running educational institutes.
- Ability to organize things.
- Ability to make important decisions for the betterment.
- A deep interest in the education sector.
Role and Responsibility:
- Coordinate with teachers and students
- Supervising day-to-day activity going on in colleges
- Overlook events and functions
Average Annual Salary:
- $74,000 (non experienced)
- $150,000 (experienced)
Sales Associate
Acquiring skills related to sales polishes communication and interaction skills that grow individuals intellectually. There is plenty of room for growth as well, and refining your sales skills can open exciting opportunities for you.
Suitable For People With:
- Wood communication skills.
- Patient and composed nature.
- Ability to pay attention to detail.
Role and Responsibility:
- Ensuring proper stock and clean shelves in the store.
- Promoting stores.
- Help customers with their queries and assist them with their purchase.
Average Annual Salary:
- $76,000 (non experienced)
- $100,000 (experienced)
Legal Assistant
Building your career as a legal assistant offers you the option to work for a firm or work independently and deal with various clients. Working as a legal assistant might be hectic due to navigating through such legal compliance.
Suitable For People With:
- Good listening skills and cooperative behavior.
- High confidence.
- Capability to work under dynamic behavior.
Role and Responsibility:
- Scheduling meetings with clients.
- Reviewing legal documents and providing legal assistance to clients.
- Attending court hearings and going through entire legal procedures.
Average Annual Salary:
- $60,000 (non experienced)
- $80,000 (experienced)
Entrepreneur
A business administration degree is about handling business operations’ ins and outs. So why not use skills learned through a business administration degree to run your business rather than work for a firm?
Suitable For People With:
- Passion and self-drive.
- Innovative ideas.
- Patience and ability to perform several duties.
Role and Responsibility:
- Identifying market and scope of growth.
- Building networks and hiring like-minded teams.
- Managing finance and motivating the workforce to drive sales.
Average Annual Salary: There is no such fixed income for entrepreneurs; what is left after deducting all the expenses from gross profit is the earnings of an entrepreneur.
Human Resource Management
The human resources field offers exciting opportunities and lets you explore various employee legislatures. HRM has a variety of scopes that allow you to interact with a lot of new people and handle various personality traits.
Suitable For People With:
- Cooperative and keen behavior.
- Excellent communication skills.
- A positive attitude when approaching fellow teammates.
- Ability to carry out office responsibilities.
Role and Responsibility:
- Prepare salary slips and hire teammates according to job profile.
- Handling staff issues.
- Overlooking employee development program.
- Coordinating with employers.
Average Annual Salary:
- $80,000 (non experienced)
- $127,000 (experienced)
Actuary
Business administration develops strong analytical skills that can be used to determine events and the trajectory of the market through the study of macro and microeconomics. Actuaries can work as independent entities or could act as outsourced.
Suitable For People With:
- Great analytical skills.
- Ability to solve complex problems.
- Excellent statistical skills and fondness for analyzing the market.
- A desire to work in consulting firms.
Role and Responsibility:
- Analyze market trends and provide appropriate solutions.
- Evaluate the likelihood of future events.
- Predict the upcoming trends and form a suitable route.
Average Annual Salary:
- $86,000 (non experienced)
- $131,000 (experienced)
Operations Manager
This field is related to overlooking inventory and maintaining the availability of goods. Moreover, the operation manager is responsible for maintaining an efficient flow of supply and eliminating all sorts of unnecessary movements.
Suitable For People With:
- Good leadership qualities and can guide others.
- An understanding of the value of human capital and can invest time in the workforce.
- Deep fondness for managing and overlooking given responsibilities.
Role and Responsibility:
- Monitor inventory.
- Keep with the supply according to demands.
- Preparing schedule and roster of employees’ duty.
- Ensure quality assistance to customers.
Average Annual Salary:
- $63,000 (non experienced)
- $85,000 (experienced)
Development Associate
A business is operated with assistance from large manual labor turned into one single objective. As a business development associate, you would be required to perform various tasks that directly affect the growth of the business. It may include developing new strategies, expanding product lines, identifying new customers, and so on.
Suitable For People Who:
- Adapt according to a dynamic situation.
- Can build networks and good relations.
- Enjoy researching and forming innovative methods.
Role and Responsibility:
- Cold calling and mapping various methods to boost sales.
- Keep Track of current tastes and preferences and bring the innovation of product line and sales strategy accordingly.
- Prepare annual sales reports and identify areas that need improvement.
Average Annual Salary:
- $60,000 (non experienced)
- $75,000 (experienced)
Investment Analyst
The duties of investment analysts vary depending upon the requirements of the firm and clients. This field emerges as an excellent way to explore various financial instruments and polish your skills to grow money at a personal level as well.
Suitable For People With:
- Ability to explore and make tough calls.
- Self-curated and energetic mindset.
- An understanding of various investment opportunities.
Role and Responsibility:
- Research and evaluate the portfolio of various ventures and decide the best investment course.
- Deal with several clients and firm to help them with financial planning.
- Explore various investment options and determine the best course of action.
Average Annual Salary:
- $86,000 (non experienced)
- $162,000 (experienced)
Loan Officer
As the name suggests, the designation of a loan officer is all about loan approval and loan repayments. Usually, you have to work with a commercial bank and take care of all the matters related to loan and credit-based services.
Suitable For People With:
- Natural ability to deal with all kinds of people.
- Excellent communication skills.
- A brief idea about business ventures and operations.
- Good mathematical skills.
Role and Responsibility:
- Evaluating applicants for loans.
- Approve loans for qualifying applicants.
- Helping customers to make informed decisions about taking various kinds of loans depending on needs.
Average Annual Salary:
- $90,000 (non experienced)
- $117,000 (experienced)
Fundraising Administration
With a Business Administration degree, your options are not limited to working as an individual or working with a firm; you can also contribute to society. Using your skills and knowledge acquired, you contribute to non-profit organizations and raise funds for various causes.
Suitable For People With:
- Humanitarian value and wants to contribute to society.
- Ability to communicate and present the agenda to people convincingly.
- A great sense of marketing.
Role and Responsibility:
- Make reports and details on donations received from donors.
- Prepare letters and campaigns to spread awareness and raise funds.
- Respond to external and internal queries.
Average Annual Salary:
- $64,000 (non experienced)
- $110,000 (experienced)
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
The designation of COO, which is considered an authoritative position, requires a lot of experience and constant dedication in one field. You could become COO of a finance company, a bank, or a company, but more than a business administration degree, you require consistent, excellent performance in one sector.
Suitable For People With:
- Leadership quality to run the entire operations.
- Dedication towards achieving.
- Ability to pay attention to smaller details and work professionally.
Role and Responsibility:
- Designing and implementing working protocols.
- Providing effective leadership and improving efficiency in operations.
- Willing to work for long hours and motivate your workforce.
Average Annual Salary:
- $164,000 (non experienced)
- $210,000 (experienced)
Health Service Manager
The field of health service management is the perfect example of that business administration won’t limit your options. The skills attained during your course can be channeled into the health sector to develop and organize their workflow.
Suitable For People With:
- Ability to manage large groups of workforce.
- Interest in the health sector.
- Prior education or brief knowledge about healthcare sectors.
Role and Responsibility:
- Manage various facilities and departments.
- Monitor outsourced services.
- Ensure a clean and safe environment for patients, as we as doctors.
Average Annual Salary:
- $114,000 (non experienced)
- $160,000 (experienced)
These are some highly demanding jobs and career fields that, as a business administration degree holder, you can grasp. Moreover, the average annual salary mentioned above can fluctuate based on region, experience, and level of education.
Earlier, we also had a fragment of discussion about various types of business administration degrees. Let’s have a more in-depth discussion about those types and how much time it will take to pursue all of them.
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How Long Does it Take to Get a Business Administration Degree?
As discussed above, there are 4 types of business administration degrees, and how long will it take to complete this program depends upon your goals.
- Associates of Business Administration: The associated degree is the shortest and quickest way to jumpstart your career. Usually, the duration is around 2 years.
- Bachelor of Business Administration: Now coming towards the main program, which is BBA. The duration of this degree fluctuates depending upon the country; for example, in the USA, BBA is a 4-year program, and in India, it is 3 years.
- Masters of Business Administration: MBA consists of a 2-year program
- Doctorate of Business Administration: DBA takes around 3–5 years to complete due to its extensive research-based approach.
So based on the above statement, you can determine how much time it will take to complete your business associate program based on your educational goals. Furthermore, based on region and universities, the duration and semester in colleges may vary, so make sure to adhere to official institute guidelines as well.
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Wrapping Up
Discovering what jobs you can get with a business administration degree aligns with your interest and the level of degree you’ve attained. The business administration degree surely has enthralling career options that come with highly responsible jobs. This makes it important for candidates to hone their soft skills to use their existing skills and channel them to facilitate growth in their field.
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FAQs
Ans: Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Cambridge are prestigious universities to pursue a business administration degree.
Ans: The major fields where you can build your career are finance, business analysis, project management, and operation management.
Ans: The main responsibility of business administrators is to oversee day-to-day activities and manage the workforce.
Ans: DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) is the highest form of business administration where the focus is emphasized more on practical research and real-world case studies.
Sources:
What Can You Do With A Business Administration Degree? –
Forbes
