Business and finance – As a Career Choice

The most popular areas of study at a graduate level in universities drawn from all corners of the world are business and other closely related disciplines such as finance, accounting, management and economics (commonly referred to as the FAME group). Question why this situation exists is only normal. Some of the answers, which are all likely to be correct, that might cross your mind include an ever growing global need for more graduates in these areas, the fact that business itself is embedded in all parts of our existence, varied and high paying employment opportunities;

Take a look at the latest QS Business Masters Rankings 2018 in the fields of management, finance and analytics here, in case you are considering getting a Master’s level business degree. For those who are yet to be convinced about why they should pursues business related studies, continue reading for a more comprehensive explanation.

What are the different types of degrees in business related studies?

Encompassing a wide selection of programs, business degrees are known to be quite varied. These programs may be general or very specific in nature; while others adopt a practical approach to the development professional skills some have a comparatively academic focus. These degree programs can be classified with respect to the area of focus or level of education (as in professional, graduate and undergraduate).

Students can decide on their preferred area of specialization, after completing their undergraduate and graduate level education/training to get a fundamental understanding of the world of business. Although students still have some freedom when it comes to molding their course to align with their goals, business centred degrees tend to specialize on a given part of the business world at masters level and beyond. On the other hand those who have already set their mind on advancing their development in a specific area of focus, and have attained a respectable amount of professional working experience are best suited to Master of Business Administration MBA and Executive MBA degree programs.

It’s worth noting that all degree courses in business strongly focus on the practical use of theory in problem solving, regardless of the area of specialization chosen and the level of study you are in. This can be done through different ways including working on problem solving tasks, individual projects and teamwork, case studies, and participation in job placement programs and internships.

Career Options With A Business Degree

Anyone who finds the emphasis on competition and team work in school and work environments in the business world appealing, the academic demands and practical approach of pursuing a business degree will be a huge draw. However, a greater number of people will find that the question “Why Study Business?” To be better answered by a look at the potential career options made possible by their possession of a business degree.

After graduation, business professionals have the choice to work in a variety of areas, some of which are not directly related to business. A huge chunk of graduates move on to pursue careers in finance and accounting, which are seen as the more likely paths for those armed with business degrees. Human resources, sales, advertising, marketing, business consulting and retail also take up a large share of business graduates. The sheer variety of career paths you can pursue with a business degree explains why it’s such a huge draw to students.

Applying to join training schemes designed for graduates and ran by big companies, often with a global reach, is emphasized for graduates who are not decided on the path to take when it comes to developing their career after they leave school. Before picking a given path for their career, participants get the opportunity to develop their skills while training on different roles in business, in different parts of the world.

Seeking roles in non-governmental organizations NGOs, non-profit organizations, charity organizations, start ups, and small to medium sized enterprises also provide graduates with great career growth opportunities. Starting a business is also a possibility for those who feel that they have a worthy business idea and the know-how to make it a success.

How Much Can You Expect To Earn With A Business Degree?

One of the biggest draws, and motivational factors, to pursuing a business degree comes in the form of the promising earnings. It’s true that you won’t start earning top wages right after graduation, however, the know-how and skill set gained from your studies is enough to give you a chance at advancing your career and earning promotions through to management roles, where the pay is definitely much better to say the least.

At this point it’s worth noting that a business degree does not simply translate into great pay; although, graduates from top schools, with top honours do have the chance to get positions at top companies and with it, secure better pay.

Achieving your set career advancement and remuneration targets will require a lot of effort in proving your worth to your employer in a cut throat environment.

Naturally, anyone pursuing a business degree at the master’s level will have higher salary expectations. MBA graduates can expect to earn $116,300 on average in the United States and Canada as per the newest TopMBA.com Jobs & Salary Trends Report. Average salary levels are lower for MBA holders in Western Europe. An $85,900 average salary is quoted for MBA holders in the Asia-Pacific region.

Take the time to look up, the trends in salary and predictions in different sectors, and regions of the world with the highest need for business professionals if earning top wages is of utmost importance to you.

What Skills, Learned Through A Business Degree, Are Transferable?

Developing extensive knowledge on business oriented operations and a variety of skills should be expected as you pursue your business degree. Some of the knowledge and skills you can expect to gain are specific to your chosen area of focus including IT, sales, finance, customers, operations, marketing, communication, business policy and strategy among others. Your studies will also cover how to apply all these skills on an international scale; it is however worth mentioning that learning how to apply the same with respect to a given nation or region in the world might be more beneficial to your career advancement goals.

Students also develop a variety of skills that are transferable to other careers, or day to day life situations. Some of these transferable skills include:

• An appreciation of the nature of operations within an organization
• Problem solving skills
• Formidable written and oral communication skills
• Critical and analytical thinking
• Logical thinking skills
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Decision making skills
• Appreciating the interpretation and applications of financial data and Numeracy skills
• Development of time management, self motivational and initiative skills
• Resource and project management skills
• An appreciation of economic changes, and changes in other external factors that ultimately affect business performance