What career paths can I take in business administration

What career paths can I take in business administration

Graduates with an associate’s degree in business qualify for entry level careers, including basic management and administrative roles in private, public and nonprofit organizations. Many find employment as management trainees or managers in the sales or retail industry. Others work as project assistants, office managers and technology-oriented support specialists.

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration, you’ll qualify for an array of leadership positions and other advanced roles in private, public and nonprofit organizations. You’ll have the option to work across industries as a business analyst, human resources generalist, operations manager or marketing specialist. Some business administration graduates also venture into entrepreneurship, creating their own successful businesses from the ground up.

Your management opportunities increase exponentially with an MBA, the most popular degree awarded in business. Some job titles include corporate controller, executive director and independent consultant.

Those who wish to gain further education can pursue the Doctor of Business Administration, which takes three to six years to complete. Like a PhD, a DBA equips professionals with expertise in leadership and management principles, and a higher level of competence in conducting research. This advanced degree primes students for working in management at the senior-executive level, as well as in teaching and research at universities.

There are so many options for working in business administration, and so many ways to get your foot in the door, that motivated people can rise to the top and make lasting, positive contributions to business.

Here are some common types of top executives:

• Chief financial officers: Account for a company’s financial reporting. They direct the organization’s financial goals, objectives and budgets. They may oversee investments and manage assets.
• Chief information officers: Responsible for the overall technological direction of a company, which includes managing information technology and computer systems.
• Chief operating officers: Oversee other executives who direct the activities of various departments, such as human resources and sales.
• Chief sustainability officers: Address sustainability issues by overseeing a corporate sustainability strategy. For example, they may manage programs or policies relating to environmental issues and ensure the organization’s compliance with related regulations.
• General and operations managers: Oversee operations that are too diverse to be classified into one area of management or administration. Responsibilities may include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources. They make staff schedules, assign work, and ensure projects are completed. In some organizations, the tasks of chief executive officers may overlap with those of general and operations managers.

Learn about Pay & Job Projections for administrative services managers and top executives. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016-17 Occupational Outlook Handbook places employment of administrative services managers at 8 percent through 2024, about average for all occupations. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Are you interested in business but unsure whether the administrator’s role is for you? Similar careers where economics, people and operations meet include hospitality, office administration, retail and sales management, financial management and accounting.