Jobs in Business

Jobs for business majors are available in multiple disciplines. In fact, one of the toughest decisions when hunting for jobs with a business degree is narrowing your search to a specific business sector. A business degree prepares graduates for many different careers.

Business Degrees

Colleges offer several types of business degrees, including an associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s. An associate’s degree is a two-year degree that focuses on a specific area of study. A Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration is a more involved degree, usually taking four years to complete.
 
Master’s of Business Administration degrees, or MBA’s, are post-graduate degrees that take up to three years to complete and require an undergraduate degree as a pre-requisite. MBA’s are required for most high-level jobs in business. People often enter the workforce with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and pursue MBA’s while employed.
 
At the MBA level of study, business majors often focus on specialized business areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing or finances. This makes the graduate very competitive in their chosen business field.
 
Business majors can also work toward degrees in accounting for employment as certified public accountants, certified management accountants or certified internal auditors.

Types of Jobs in Business

Many business jobs require very similar education and skills but offer different challenges, duties and work environments. The value of a business degree is that it prepares business majors for careers in any of these diverse fields (depending, of course, on how the business major chooses to focus his or her studies). Examples of possible jobs in business include:
  • account executive
  • accountant
  • actuary
  • administrative assistant
  • advertising media planner
  • brand manager
  • budget analyst
  • claims adjuster
  • cost estimator
  • financial analyst
  • human resources manager
  • insurance broker
  • market researcher
  • production manager
  • project director
  • public relations specialist
  • retail marketer
  • sales manager.
In addition, business majors find careers in banking, real estate and both non-profit and private companies.

Online Business Jobs

Online business jobs are increasingly available as telecommuting becomes more and more mainstream. Financial advisors, accountants and e-commerce positions can be performed online and from the comfort of your own home. Note: telecommuting jobs are rarely immediately available for business majors. Most companies prefer employees prove their reliability before offering them work-at-home positions.
 
Starting your own business is another option for business majors seeking online business jobs. Many business consultants run their own businesses, offering advice and services in their areas of business expertise.

Hunting for Jobs in Business

Before you begin looking for jobs in business, do your homework. Some business jobs are in high demand, while others require years of experience. Demand for business jobs can vary widely from one business sector to the next. One fact remains constant however: The business world is large enough that there is always a demand for business majors.
 
Take advantage of every possible job hunting tool. Many business schools offer assistance to graduates looking for work, and online job markets often advertize business jobs. Business majors working part-time or summer jobs as interns can build a network of contacts that can prove invaluable after graduation.

Professional Associations

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Business and Professional Women
  • International Association of Administrative Professionals
  • International Association of Career Management Professionals
  • National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers
  • National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
  • National Black MBA Association
  • National Business Association.
Resources
 
Business Degrees (n.d.). Types of business degrees. Retrieved January 15, 2009, from the Business Degrees Web site: http://www.business-degrees.org/biz_degree_types.html.
 
Career Overview (n.d.). Business careers, jobs, training and employment information. Retrieved January 14, 2008, from the Career Overview Web site: http://www.careeroverview.com/business-careers.html.
 
College Grad (n.d.). Business, management and executive careers. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from the College Grad Web site: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/manag.shtml.
 
University of Berkeley (2008, October 8). Career field: Business. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from the Berkeley Career Center Web site: http://career.berkeley.edu/business/business.stm#types.

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