Should I Get a Business Degree?

Ambitious and passionate individuals who pursue business degrees open up a wide range of career opportunities for themselves. A business degree can help with finding jobs in a variety of industries. A business degree can be a very attractive line on a resume, since it conveys a general knowledge of all the different aspects of business. The most common career paths for a business degree graduate begin with positions in marketing, finance, accounting and administration.

However, a business degree can open up many different doors. All organizations require at least one person to manage their business-related needs. There is always room for growth and advancement in business positions. The corporate ladder is a much easier climb for a professional with a business degree because their skills are already built into their experience and education. Employers see the possibility of flexibility and utility in business professionals and the need for less training on the job.

Required characteristics depend mostly on the specific field of business that an individual pursues. For example, a person working in public relations would be required to have more communication skills than a person working in accounting.

The most common characteristics for business professionals are ambition and passion. Leadership is another essential quality in business. Whether you are working in human resources or information systems management or sales, the ability to manage your own work while communicating with and guiding others to do the same is important.

Essentials for Career Advancement

Because business is such an interdisciplinary field, many professionals choose to focus on one aspect of business and finely hone their skills in order to succeed in that specific department. This is why a person pursuing a career in business should know what skills they have and how they can improve. If your interpersonal skills outshine your math skills, for example, then a position in a human resources department may fit better than a job in finance. If you are a creative person or idea-oriented, then perhaps entrepreneurship is the right path for you.

Top Industries for Business Graduates

The marketing and advertising industry suits many business graduates. Marketing focuses on analysis and research in order to create strategies for communicating an organization’s message. This appeals to creative business graduates and those who have talents in research, communication and strategy.

Human resources is a popular aspect of business as well. HR professionals must possess excellent communication skills as well as understand the relationship between the needs of the organization and the needs of the staff.

Retail and sales often offer very good entry-level positions for business graduates. Professionals who work in sales and retail are often put on “fast tracks” to more executive positions within a company. Knowledge of global and industry-specific markets is important to succeed, as well as interpersonal and management skills.