If you’re ready to pursue a bachelor’s degree and are looking for a degree option that will provide you with a solid foundation to explore a wide range of career paths, then you may want to consider a business degree.
So, what is a business degree? At the undergraduate level, this type of degree is designed to help students develop the business acumen, interpersonal skills, and strategic problem-solving skills needed to help organizations perform better.
Not only can a business degree equip you with skills that are in-demand across various industries, but this type of degree can also offer an excellent return on investment (ROI) for savvy students.
The Versatility of a Business Degree
What can you do with a business degree? One of the biggest benefits of a business degree is the versatility that comes along with having one. The skills learned in a business degree program are readily applicable across a wide range of industries. This means you can explore many potential career paths to find what suits you.
1. Broad Skill Set
As part of a business degree program, you’ll build a broad skill set that includes both core business competencies and highly transferable skills:
- Core business competencies – Students in a business bachelor’s degree program can learn a variety of core skills in such areas as finance, marketing, management, accounting, and economics. These competencies are critical in nearly every organization regardless of industry, so business degree graduates can bring relevant strengths to the table.
- Transferable skills – Business programs also tend to emphasize soft skills that can be applicable across a range of industries, including healthcare, education, and technology (in addition to business). Some examples of essential soft skills learned in a business degree program include communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking.
2. Cross-Industry Relevance
No matter what industry you may be interested in working post-graduation, a business degree can prepare you for various roles. After all, every industry has a need for business professionals to oversee finances, operations, strategy, and human resources. In this sense, a business degree can open up career opportunities in just about any sector.
Meanwhile, graduates with business degrees aren’t limited to just one career path within their respective industries. Instead, these professionals can pivot into various roles based on their unique strengths and interests. From financial analyst to marketing manager and human resources to operations, there is no shortage of opportunities available.
3. Foundational Entrepreneurship
Interested in starting your own business? A business degree can equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to launch and run your own business. With coursework in such topics as entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing, you can be prepared to take on your own business venture.
At the same time, the strong sense of business acumen you gain from coursework in market dynamics, business planning, and customer relations can help you make the right choices as your business grows and scales.
4. Pathway to Leadership
Another area where many business degree programs focus is leadership, with many programs including dedicated leadership and management coursework as part of the curriculum. These skills can help graduates prepare to take on supervisory, managerial, and even executive roles within organizations.
Likewise, a business program can teach students how to think and act strategically in their roles through the analysis of market trends. This can empower business leaders to make decisions that drive organizational success.
5. Preparation for Further Education
A bachelor’s degree in business also serves as an excellent foundation for more advanced degree programs down the road. A master’s in business administration (MBA) is a popular progression for those who want to take their business education even further, though you may also want to consider a specialized master’s program or even a law/public policy degree.
Also consider that a bachelor’s degree is required to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Advisor (CFA), or Project Management Professional (PMP)—so these are all professional certifications you can explore with a business degree.
6. Global Opportunities
Business degree graduates don’t need to remain stateside to put their knowledge and skills to work. Because many business principles are applicable worldwide, many graduates go on to work for multinational organizations, NGOs, government agencies, or even as global entrepreneurs.
If you’re interested in going global with your business degree, be sure to choose a program that focuses on cultural competence with coursework in such critical topics as global markets and cross-cultural communication.
7 Adaptability to Economic Changes
The economic market can be unpredictable and unstable, but business degree graduates can offer organizations resilience during times of uncertainty. By applying their financial management, strategic planning, and marketing skills, business graduates can help organizations navigate even the most turbulent times. Meanwhile, business programs teach students to be leaders in innovation and change management, confidently carrying businesses through periods of transformation.
8. High Demand in the Job Market
Because business skills are always in demand as part of an organization’s basic functioning, there is an ongoing need for business degree graduates who are knowledgeable in financial analysis, marketing strategy, operations management, and beyond.
With so many versatile skills, business graduates can generally pursue a multitude of roles with a strong foundation for career advancement and opportunities to move into leadership roles over time.
The ROI of a Business Degree
Is a business degree worth it? The answer will depend on many factors, so here are a few things to keep in mind.
Time and Financial Investment
How long does it take to get a business degree? On average, a bachelor’s degree in business consists of around 120 credit hours and takes about four years to complete if you’re enrolled full-time. If you can only take classes part-time, you should expect completion of your degree to take a few extra years.
Of course, there’s also a financial investment involved in obtaining a business degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of a degree at a public, four-year institution was around $27,000, but costs can vary greatly from one school to the next. Likewise, financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans may be available to lessen the burden.
Personal and Professional Fulfillment
Working in business often means having the opportunity to innovate, lead, and make a real impact on organizations and communities alike. Because of this, having a degree in business can come with a sense of job satisfaction that is very fulfilling.
And because there are always opportunities for career advancement and professional development, a business degree can set the tone for personal and career growth over time.
Career Outcomes with a Business Degree
What jobs can you get with a business degree? Because the skills learned in a business degree program are so versatile, you may be able to explore job opportunities across a wide range of industries and roles.
Popular Business Career Paths
Some of the most common and “traditional” career paths for business graduates include:
- Finance and Accounting, including such roles as financial analyst, accountant, auditor, and financial planner.
- Marketing and Sales, including such jobs as marketing manager, content marketer, brand manager, and social media coordinator.
- Human Resources, with popular job titles including HR generalist, HR specialist, HR manager, and HR director.
- Management and Consulting, including such roles as strategic management consultant, compliance consultant, operations manager, and strategy consultant.
Emerging Business Career Opportunities
As the business world evolves and technology advances, there have also been some emerging career opportunities available in less conventional roles, such as:
- Data Analytics and Business Intelligence – Professionals in this field use specialized software and tools to gain valuable insights from large amounts of data. They can then use those insights to make business intelligence recommendations and decisions for organizations of all scopes and sizes.
- Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – These professionals are focused on making changes to an organization that reflect ethical, social, and environmental values. This may include anything from recommending changes in manufacturing to create a more sustainable future to creating more transparent accounting and financial processes.
- Technology and Innovation – These professionals assist in researching, recommending, and implementing technologies and other innovations that can give organizations a competitive edge.
Start Your Career in Business at Baker
Whether you’re interested in a more traditional business role or even have plans to start your own company, a business degree can prepare you to jumpstart your career with the knowledge and skills you need in this competitive industry.
At Baker College, we’re proud to offer a bachelor’s degree in business that can be completed in an average of four years and is designed with insights from industry experts to reflect today’s business trends and best practices. And with courses offered at four of our Michigan campuses (Cadillac, Muskegon, Owosso, and Royal Oak), you can enroll at the location closest to you.
Get in touch to learn more about getting a business bachelor’s degree at Baker College, or get started by filling out your online application for enrollment!