General Business Administration & Services Career Training

Good general business skills are valued not only within business management but also in a variety of areas ranging from finance to hospitality.
 
Career opportunities for skilled business professionals are extremely varied. Some examples of potential jobs include:
  • account executive
  • bank officer
  • business services general manager
  • call center professional
  • claims representative
  • credit analyst
  • financial planner
  • general business manager
  • hotel or restaurant manager.
 

The Makings of a Business Professional

Individuals interested in launching a career in general business should have excellent communication skills, a facility with numbers and an interest in following market trends.
 
Those who wish to advance to managerial positions should also be strong leaders, diplomatic and able to hold the larger vision of a company while overseeing day-to-day tasks. Managers in the field of general business may be responsible for planning and directing the work of an organization, facilitating communication within the company, setting policies and evaluating work performed.

How to Enter the Field of General Business

Most often, professionals within the field of general business possess a business degree or a degree in a related field, such as finance or marketing.
 
Although many people enter the business world without a degree, investing in a business education makes you more marketable to employers and greatly increases your chances of landing a future senior position.
 
Anyone with a desire to succeed in the competitive realm of general business services should consider continuing their education to increase their marketability.

Degree Programs

Oftentimes, employers look for noteworthy degree programs when reviewing the resumes of potential employees. A degree shows the employer that you are committed to the field and already have invested time and energy into acquiring basic business skills.
 
The top degrees for general business are:
  1. Associate of Arts in Business
  2. Bachelor of Science in Business
  3. Masters of Science in Business Administration.
The more education you have, the greater your earning potential is. Although an associate's degree is technically less valuable than a bachelor's or master's degree, it can still help get your foot in the door.

Associate's Degrees

An Associate of Arts in general business generally takes two years to obtain. Students can enroll in online courses or at junior or community colleges to complete their general business degrees.
 
Coursework can include classes in:
  • accounting
  • finance
  • general business administration
  • management science
  • marketing.
 
The cost for an Associate of Arts degree in general business can be anywhere between $10,000 and $22,000, depending on the school.

Bachelor's Degrees

A Bachelor of Arts in general business can take three to four years to complete. The program may include some overlap with the coursework in an associate program, but it can also include classes in:
  • entrepreneurship
  • human resource management
  • international business.
 

Master's Degrees

A master's degree takes one to three years to complete, depending on the career in question. For example, a person who wishes to find a job in call center operations may only need a three-year bachelor's degree and a one-year master's degree.
 
The coursework involved in master's programs is much more intensive than an associate or bachelor's degree program and can include courses in:
  • managerial communication and finance
  • managerial use of accounting data
  • marketing strategy
  • quantitative methods in management
  • statistics.
 
The average cost for an advanced degree (bachelor's or master's degree) can range from $22,015 at public institutions to over $32,000 at private institutions. For part�time students, costs can range from $10,572 at public institutions to over $15,000 at private institutions.
 
Many colleges and universities offer scholarships and financial aid. Be sure to look into these options when choosing a school.

Get General Business Experience While in School

Although a degree does not guarantee that you'll land a job right away, it certainly makes you a more attractive applicant to prospective employers. Keep in mind, however, that many employers like to see that applicants have both a solid educational background, as well as substantial experience in the field.
 
If you are wondering, "how do I get general business experience," take advantage of the opportunities for internships and apprenticeships while you're in school. Working in internships and apprenticeships as you earn your degree will likely make you a highly coveted applicant upon graduation!


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