A business administration degree paves the way to a wide range of career paths. It qualifies you to work in diverse industries, from finance and healthcare to real estate and the government. Don’t like the idea of working for somebody else? Majoring in business admin can also give you the knowledge and tools to launch your own business.
A business administration major primarily covers topics related to general business administration, marketing, logistics, accounting, human resources, and project management. This is in addition to several other related topics that equip you for diverse careers after you graduate.
Here are a few of the many career paths you can pursue with a business administration degree.
Human Resources Manager
- Average Median Salary: $113,300
- Projected Growth Rate: +13%
Human Resources Managers oversee all tasks related to employee relations. They handle scheduling and employee records and make sure all staff get the compensation and perks due to them. They also participate in decisions regarding company policies that may affect employees directly. Human resources managers are also responsible for interviewing and hiring new employees and ensuring they get the appropriate training.
People interested in HR Management positions should have great skills in communication, active listening, and decision making. It’s a field that requires relating to other people, and being both sociable and approachable.
(IT) Project Manager
- Average Median Salary: $90,270
- Projected Growth Rate: +13%*
Project managers take charge of a project and oversee it from beginning to end. They develop and expand on the core project idea and create a detailed execution plan. Project managers rarely work alone. They put together a team to help them complete the project successfully, within a set budget and timeline. Project managers are in great demand in a wide range of industries and companies of all sizes. Healthcare, finance, construction, and information technology are four industries with the greatest demand for project managers. The exact tasks you will be responsible for will depend on the industry you are employed in.
Time management, organizational, and communication skills are essential requirements in this role. As a project manager, you will have to communicate with management as well as team members at all levels.
*As a note, we used IT Project Manager as the example for the stats featured in this blurb.
Sales Manager
- Average Median Salary: $124,220
- Projected Growth Rate: +10%
Sales Managers oversee a team of sales employees but they don’t just stay behind the scenes. They also interact directly with existing and potential customers, introducing new products and resolving issues. As a team leader of the sales force, they analyze team statistics and develop / implement plans to meet and beat sales quotas. They are also responsible for hiring and training new sales staff.
This is the perfect job for someone who is outgoing, friendly, and loves interacting with people. You must have excellent analytical and communication skills to be successful in this role, as well as persuasion and social perceptiveness.
Market Research Analyst
- Average Median Salary: $63,120
- Projected Growth Rate: +25%
Market Research Analysts specialize in assessing market conditions to determine if a product or service will sell. Companies hire them to help them understand what products their customers are looking for and the best strategies for promoting those products. These professionals spend a major portion of their time designing, conducting, and analyzing surveys. Companies employ market research analysts in just about every industry. They are also employed by consulting firms that get contracted by corporate to conduct market surveys for them.
While a business administration degree can help prepare students for a career in market research, it can also help to minor or double major in marketing as well. Reading comprehension and critical thinking are vital skills for this role.
Operations Managers
- Average Median Salary: $100,930
- Projected Growth Rate: +10%
Operations managers perform a wide range of tasks. They coordinate with different departments to ensure that all operations are proceeding smoothly. They also oversee purchases and supplies, conduct quality checks, and plan optimum use of resources and personnel. Operations managers are often tasked with maximizing the company’s productivity by formulating policies to improve the efficiency of existing operations. In larger companies, operations managers may be responsible for overseeing the operations in just one specific department.
Students with analytical minds are well suited for this position. It also helps to have skills in communication, organization, problem-solving, and coordination.
Training and Development Specialist
- Average Median Salary: $60,870
- Projected Growth Rate: +15%
Training and development specialists work with organizations in almost every industry. Companies hire them to help improve employee skills, knowledge, and efficiency. This involves first analyzing employees’ training needs and accordingly creating appropriate training programs. These professionals interact directly with managers and staff. As part of their job, they also give live presentations and lead training activities.
Excellent communication and leadership skills are a must for this job. People skills, knowledge of learning strategies, and deductive reasoning are likewise important. Students with an aptitude for teaching or instruction will excel in this career.
Financial Advisor
- Average Median Salary: $88,890
- Projected Growth Rate: +25%
A business administration degree also qualifies you for several finance-related careers. If you like managing money, you may be interested in a career as a financial advisor. Financial advisors may work with individuals or with companies. They evaluate their client’s existing finances and assess risk. Accordingly, they help their clients make smart investment decisions that align with their short and long term financial goals.
A minor, focus, or double major in some financial field will be a helpful bonus. Mathematical and organizational skills are a must, as are reading comprehension and decision making.
Additional Careers for Students with a Business Administration Degree
- Storage and Distribution Managers
- Management Analysts
- Event Planners
- Logistics Managers
- Marketing Managers
Interested in any of these careers? You can learn all about them in College Raptor’s Careers Center! There you’ll find useful career information like salaries, growth rate, relevant majors, and even which colleges are best suited for developing you for that career!
