The field of business incorporates a lot of different areas. Business professionals might work in marketing, business development, human resources, accounting, information systems or operations and supply. The need for qualified professionals to fill roles from management to sales representative continues to grow in every type of organization.
Courses in Business
In any type of organization, business professionals can specialize or work in general management or operations to handle all of the business functions. To be prepared, taking a wide variety of general business courses in addition to general education credits is often beneficial for future business professionals.
General education courses help students prepare for higher level courses in the business discipline. In the beginning of a curriculum, courses usually include public speaking, composition, chemistry or natural science, computer skills, and basic math courses.
Students in a business degree program take the majority of their courses within the business discipline, including principles of management, business ethics, business communications, introduction to accounting, principles of marketing, finance, economics, and business law. The wide range of knowledge gained through studying these subjects prepares future business professionals to enter into various careers within an organization.
Students are also often able to add in elective courses in a specialization in business to customize their education to their future career goals as well. Examples of some specialization courses that can be added into the general business degree curriculum include social media and marketing, internet sales, entrepreneurship, investor relations, and organizational leadership.
Skills and Knowledge
Courses in business programs are designed to get students ready for the workplace. Some of the skills that a graduate will take away from this degree program include critical thinking, creative thinking, researching, data analysis, interpersonal communication, written communication, self-reflection, public speaking, and an understanding of finance.
Graduates of a business program will develop skills and knowledge in sales, negotiation, strategic planning, project management, risk assessment, leadership, systems evaluation, decision making, and networking.
For additional information on skills needed in business and business degree programs, visit the Business Professionals of America website.
Careers in Business
Business graduates are ready for careers across different industries, including law firms, education, manufacturing, finance, social service, non-profits, and government. Business professionals might hold positions in management, sales and marketing, customer relations, human resources, accounting, or business development.
Many graduates of business programs will pursue positions in management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for general and operations managers across all industries is $114,850. For additional information on the employment outlook and wages for management positions, review the BLS report.
Whether looking for the knowledge to start a business of their own or to work through the levels of management at a Fortune 500 company, a degree in business prepares graduates for the responsibilities and roles in every business professional position.