Business

Get the Facts on Business Degrees and Career Options

Business is one of the most diverse career fields imaginable, which makes earning a business degree a great investment. You can focus on any number of areas when you study business, including accounting, finance, management, human resources, and marketing. Those are far from your only options, though. With a business degree, the sky is truly the limit in terms of what you can do and how far you can go.

You can earn a business degree at any level, from a career diploma or certificate to a doctorate. It all depends on what your long-term goals are and what kind of occupation you feel would be best for you. There are plenty of good career options that require only an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree is increasingly common for entry-level positions. Having a four-year degree also gives you a leg up when it’s time to earn a promotion.

Whatever type of business degree program you choose, you can expect some specific types of general education and foundational coursework. Math will play a key role, especially if you’re going down the accounting or finance path. If you focus on marketing, you’ll learn a lot about advertising methods and theories. You can also expect to take psychology, history, and communications courses. In short, you typically receive a well-rounded education no matter where you choose to focus your business studies.

There are a few core skills that allow you to succeed as a business student. Attention to detail is certainly at the top of this list, as you’ll be learning some complex information and applying it to real-world situations. The ability to share this info with others and make it easy to understand is also essential, particularly if you’re interested in sales or marketing. Being a good listener is vital as well, because you’ll need to respond to other people’s concerns and needs on a daily basis.

Many business occupations are projected to grow at an above average rate in the years to come. Financial analysts and accountants are expected to be in especially high demand, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You should be greeted with a healthy job market no matter what type of business degree you earn.

As for salary, what you make will largely depend on what level of education you attain. Accounting clerks typically earn about $40,000 annually, while financial managers and other top executives frequently pull down $100,000 or more. Real estate appraisers and insurance sales agents fall in the $45,000 to $55,000 range.

There are so many professional avenues you can follow with a business degree. Start doing your homework today and find the right program to match your skills and long-term career goals.