Out of all the types of bachelor’s degrees, the ones in business and related programs seem to be the most popular. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, young people feel drawn to business studies. Most of those who get a BA in business also pursue a master’s degree in the same field.
Some studies even talk about the major role played by business education for 14 to 19-year-olds and how more and more high school students choose to enroll in an economics summer school so that by the time they get to college, they are already familiar with basic business concepts.
So, what is it about business education that attracts so many young people? One explanation could be that the modern workplace is all about the young entrepreneur. Kids are encouraged from an early age to have business ideas and implement them in college. Now more than ever, self-made young billionaires have become inspirational role models for digital native teenagers, who rely on platforms like Twitch, Kickstarter, and YouTube to launch their businesses. However, even if you don’t have a dream business in mind or you don’t see yourself working as a manager, a business degree can advance your career in many ways and open lucrative job opportunities. Here are some of the careers you can pursue:
1. Business Consultant
Many business owners are great at a specific job, but they lack the management skills to run day-to-day operations or develop long-term business strategies. This is where a business consultant comes in.
Business consulting can be broken down into two categories: short-term and long-term consulting. Short-term business consulting is usually done for three to six months, whereas long-term business consulting is more likely to last two years or longer. It’s important to understand the difference between the two before choosing which type of consulting to pursue.
As a business consultant, you will help managers with the know-how they need to overcome business challenges, tap into new opportunities, hire better staff, expand on foreign markets, and increase profits. Managers typically hire external consultants when they feel their business isn’t growing as expected, so your job will involve pinpointing the obstacles that hinder their growth and suggesting solutions.
Examples of tasks for a business consultant:
- Do S.W.O.T. analysis for business projects
- Hold presentations on the current status of the business and what can be done in the future
- Commission market studies to find out how customers perceive the business and how its reputation can be improved
- Create spreadsheets and databases with company information
- Generate regular reports on the company situations and keep the manager up to date
All of these skills can be acquired with the help of training companies. For example, they can show you all the media training tips that you need to become a better spokesperson.
2. Financial analyst
If you are passionate about money and finance, you can pursue a career as a financial analyst as long as you also take an accounting course.
You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in finance to be considered for admission into a financial analyst program. You must also have strong math skills and be able to work with numbers. In addition, you should be well-versed in basic accounting principles to be a proficient financial analyst.
All businesses need money to function, and all managers want to make a profit, so this is one of the fields where you can easily find employment opportunities, either as an independent analyst or by working for a large accounting firm.
Examples of tasks for a financial analyst:
- Analyze financial statements
- Evaluate the company’s current financial situation
- Generate reports for investors and banks
- Offer guidance on where and how to invest
3. Business content writer
Although a business degree isn’t an absolute requirement for getting hired as a business content writer, most respectable businesses are willing to pay more for someone with an academic background.
It is important to make sure that you can write clearly and coherently to avoid the perception of being a fraud. You can improve your writing skills by reading articles online, watching videos, listening to podcasts, or reading books. Also, it is important to practice writing daily, as this will help you develop your style and voice.
One way you can leverage your business degree is to apply for a job as a content marketing manager for a big business. In this case, you will write their website copy and ensure it aligns with their business goals. Also, create a long-term blog post strategy, write press releases, and act as a spokesperson.
But, if you don’t want to limit yourself to writing only about one business field, you can become a business blogger and collaborate with major online publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, or The Fast Company. This way, you can get paid to write about business mergers, company news, startups, or in-depth general analysis of the business world.
4. Digital marketing manager
Digital marketing is one of the most dynamic business fields because it depends on technology trends. From SEO to social media marketing, digital marketing has many sub-branches that will allow you to put your business degree to practice and grow your employer’s exposure in the online world.
This means that they are using the most updated technologies and have a strong understanding of their target audience. As more people go online, social media platforms have become one of the best ways to connect with the target audience. This is why businesses are now using social media as a way to promote their products and services.
To be successful in this field, you must learn the art of creating a content strategy that will keep the interest of your potential clients.
Here are just some of the tasks you can coordinate as a digital marketing manager:
- Pay-per-click campaigns
- Social media marketing
- SEO and SEM
- Email marketing
- Video ads
- Content marketing
One word of caution, however. Digital marketing is one of those fast-evolving fields where trends and best practices change almost every year. So, in addition to your business degree, you will need to invest in continuous education. Otherwise, your employment opportunities will be limited.
5. Business teacher
Do you want to become an entrepreneur and start a business but simultaneously have amazing interpersonal skills, and you love sharing knowledge with others? A career as a business teacher is perfect for you.
What does it take to be a good business teacher? A business teacher is a person who can teach his or her students how to start and run a business. This can include everything from how to find the right partners, to how to manage your finances, to how to market your products and services effectively.
Becoming a business teacher in high school and college is not easy; apart from your business degree, you will also need a degree in teacher training. Until you get there, other opportunities you can explore include private tutoring lessons for students who want to get into business school, offering online courses, or even being a keynote speaker for local business conferences.
Many business graduates avoid a teaching career, fearing that people associate business teachers with failed entrepreneurs. But this isn’t always the public perception. Aspiring managers need education and training, and working as a teacher pays off.
6. Internet entrepreneur
Do you want to put your business degree to good use but feel that opportunities in your local market are limited? Or you don’t have the necessary capital? The Internet has changed business, so becoming an Internet entrepreneur is always an option.
The Internet is not just a medium for e-commerce anymore. It has become an important tool for marketing and advertising. With online marketing, businesses can reach out to the public through different social media platforms and websites. This means there are no limits to what you can do with the Internet. You can even start a business that will help people without leaving your house.
You can use your marketing and management skills to set up a small business from home and offer products or services online.
Whether you’re just looking for a side hustle or you want to start a small online business and turn it into a massive success, there are many paths you can explore. For example, you can use your degree to run affiliate marketing programs for different websites. Also, monetize a blog, collaborate with brands on social media, or write a best-selling eBook. No matter your personality type, a business degree can be very versatile and open many doors.
