What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?

Business administration is one of the most in-demand and popular areas of study. This degree path offers an array of benefits, including high salary potential and versatile career options. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, business-related professions boast salaries that are notably higher than the national average for all occupations. Not to mention, there are a variety of sectors and industries where one can work in this field. From human resources to marketing departments, corporate to non-profit organizations, there are many positions you can attain with a business administration degree in hand.

If you are driven and inspired by the field of business, you may be wondering, “What can I do with a business administration degree?” You may have questions about the types of careers available within this line of work, and what level degree can get you there. You may also be wondering whether you need a degree at all, to enter the business arena. These are all important topics to uncover before diving into any field.

To set the record straight: a business administration degree is a required step for many top-paying positions. Business degree holders are among the most sought-after graduates by employers today. Beyond meeting requirements, a business administration degree also offers a highly valuable skillset that can transfer to any field, even for those entrepreneurs who are launching their own business idea. A great business administration program is built on the fundamentals of business planning, leadership, and development – all of which are top qualifications desired by employers today.

Now, let’s cover your other pending question: What can you do with a business administration degree? Below, we’ve broken down the different careers you can attain with the right level of education in hand.

What Can You Do with an Associate Degree in Business Administration?

An associate degree in business administration can prepare you for entry-level positions in the business field. Depending on your passion areas and the courses you pursue, a business administration degree at this level can result in a variety of different career outcomes. Typically, an associate degree program will cover core topics related to management, business law and ethics, customer relations, finance, accounting, marketing, and business planning. However, at Goodwin, you can also tailor your classes to align with your interests and goals. Graduates of our associate degree in business administration often fulfill careers as:

• Executive Assistants

Average Annual Salary: $65,230

Executive assistants are the right-hand person to C-level executives and upper-management professionals. Business leaders, like CEOs and CMOs, are some of the busiest professionals out there. They need the supportive work of an executive assistant to handle daily tasks and to help keep business afloat. Executive assistants typically carry out clerical tasks, such as booking meetings, managing email correspondence, preparing reports, and taking phone calls.

• Bookkeepers

Average Annual Salary: $42,410

Bookkeepers are accounting professionals who help handle an organization’s financial accounts. They can be found in a variety of workplaces, from retail stores to government agencies. Depending on the job, a bookkeeping position can be attained with an associate degree in business and dedicated coursework in accounting. Bookkeepers are responsible for keeping track of financial transactions, handling banking, creating invoices, receiving and recording cash, checks, and receipts, and regularly producing reports like income statements, balance sheets, and totals.

• Administrative Assistants

Average Annual Salary: $40,990

Administrative assistants can be found in an array of settings and businesses, from a healthcare practice to a corporate office. At the end of the day, however, administrative assistants are responsible for similar tasks: answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, managing mail/email, and coordinating technical documents needed by their company.

• Sales Managers

Average Annual Salary: Up to $132,290, though high-paying jobs may require a Bachelor’s degree

Sales managers are responsible for overseeing the sales operations of an organization. Their main goal is to generate revenue for their business, and ensure salespersons are achieving set goals. Sales managers, as supervisors, are also responsible for resolving conflicts with customers, negotiating contracts, communicating with other departments like marketing, and training salespersons on how to effectively sell their products with strong and consistent messaging.

What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration?

Most careers in business, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, require a bachelor’s degree. Business degrees at this level can range from broader business administration programs, to specialized areas of business (like a marketing or accounting degree). A bachelor’s in business administration, like the one offered at Goodwin University, is a safe bet for those looking to become business leaders. You can attain an upper-management position at an existing company, or gain the skills to launch your own. Below are common career outcomes of our bachelor’s in business administration degree:

• Business Owners

Average Annual Salary: Varies!

The bachelor’s in business administration is largely focused on entrepreneurship: developing a business idea and bringing it to fruition. Students learn how to start, run, and manage their own business. This is done through coursework in business development, business theory, market research, management and leadership, and more. For this reason, many graduates successfully launch their own businesses after graduation.

• Human Resource (HR) Specialists and Managers

Average Annual Salary: $63,490 to $121,220

Human Resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place candidates in jobs. HR managers oversee this team of specialists, as well as help ensure an organization is effectively staffed to meet their strategy and goals. Within an organization, an HR specialist plays a key role in handling employee relations, managing employee benefits/compensation, as well as onboarding and training new workers. HR managers serve as the link between the management team and the other staff.

• Marketing Managers

Average Annual Salary: $142,170

Marketing managers are responsible for the advertising, promotions, and marketing strategies within an organization. These professionals generate plans to increase interest in a company’s product or services. They conduct market research within the company’s industry, plan promotional campaigns, create content calendars, develop advertising strategies, and more – all in accordance with the company’s budget and strategic goals.

• Administrative Services Managers

Average Annual Salary: $98,890

Administrative managers can be found in a variety of businesses and facilities. Their key responsibility is to help their business run efficiently. Specifically, these professionals plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help keep operations moving. This includes supervising staff, setting goals for the business, managing records and important documents, monitoring facilities, and ensuring the business complies with regulated government guidelines.

• Financial Analysts and Budget Analysts

Average Annual Salary: $78,970 to $83,660

Financial analysts help guide businesses, as well as individual clients, in making better decisions about expending money, in order to accumulate greater profits. These professionals assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other assets to ensure clients are maximizing their investment profiles. Budget analysts, meanwhile, help businesses and clients plan their finances. They help prepare budget reports for these organizations, monitor expenditures, and ensure businesses are meeting their financial goals.

Become a Manager, a Non-Profit Leader, or Start Your Own Business

With the ever-changing advancements in today’s world, business isn’t the same as it was 20, 15, or even five years ago. Your chances for a successful career increase considerably when you receive your business degree at a university that’s focused on the future.

Goodwin University has a well-respected reputation as a leader in innovative and entrepreneurial education. We train professionals with the courage to succeed and the vision to make a difference. The skills you’ll acquire at Goodwin are what today’s employers are looking for. We know, because we’ve asked them. Our business degree programs will prepare you with the competencies that employers are looking for in their workforce, and with the skills needed to carve your own path.

As one Business Administration graduate, Sandra Nmai, stated: “My goal was to get into a career I really loved, and Goodwin helped me get there.”

If you are asking, “What can you do with a business administration degree?” – know that you can do just about anything. A business administration degree provides a versatile skillset that will be valued in any industry or organization you choose. You’ll learn how to manage people, access resources, and process information — universal skills that you can apply in any business setting. You will also learn business law and ethics, human resource management, management, customer relations in a multicultural world, and targeted marketing and social media.

If you’re looking to move up in the world and become an organizational leader that others can rely on, consider pursuing a business administration degree. The skills you learn could last a lifetime.

Interested in learning more about Goodwin University? Learn more today by calling 800-889-3282 or visiting us online here to learn why we are a leader in business education.