When it comes to flexible degree options, business is one of the best. Every industry needs qualified managers, leaders and directors. From being a consultant to a marketing manager, there’s a career for everyone. However, as versatile as a business degree is, there are certain things you need to know before you start studying for yours.
How to Know if this Degree is Right for You
As with any degree, it’s important to make sure your interests and skills align with the program. In business, you will need to be good at, or willing to develop, good leadership and problem-solving skills, communication abilities and negotiation strategies. This is a quite different skill set than if you were interested in pursuing a degree in psychology for example. It is also helpful to pinpoint a specific field or career path you are drawn to, whether that’s running a company, becoming a CEO or even founding your own startup. You’ll also need to identify which level of degree is right for your goals. You could choose to start off simple and earn a two-year associate in business administration (ABA). You could earn a four-year bachelor’s degree and stop there or consider applying to graduate schools and earning a master’s.
What Type of Job Can You Get with a Business Degree?
A degree in business can open the door for a number of jobs, and they all have the potential for growth through hard work and promotions. Typical career paths for someone with a bachelor’s in business are:
- Accountant
- Financial analyst
- Sales manager
- Sales representative
- Audit director
- Chief investment officer
- Stock manager
- Project manager
- Consultant
- Accounting and financing director
These are just some of the most popular jobs people with this degree pursue. The truth is that you can apply the knowledge and skills from this program to virtually any field you have a passion for. Studying business shows that you are detail-oriented, ambitious and strategic. These are qualities that every employer wants in a candidate. To acquire some of these positions, you will have to expand your education and earn at least a master’s degree. Higher education, however, means higher tuition costs. Fortunately, taking out a student loan from a private lender can help finance higher education without the worry of tuition costs. With their reduced rates, you won’t have to stress as much about student debt as you would with a bank.
The Courses Involved
While your concentration will impact the courses you take, every college will cover certain subjects related to business, marketing and economics. There will also be prerequisites and emphasis on skills like mathematics and writing. If you plan to pursue a career in finance, for example, you’ll likely take more classes in math than someone who is interested in marketing or sales. If you are serious about furthering your education and making your career goals a reality, start studying now. Look up the basics of business and start researching. You can also explore various program descriptions on college sites and take a look at the course line-up for each one. This can give you a good idea of what to expect if you decide to study there.