What Can You Do with a Business Degree?

Drafted Staff

With a business degree, you can open the door to a world of opportunities. This degree provides you with the knowledge and expertise to pursue a variety of job roles across many industries. With a business degree, you don’t just have to settle for one career path—you can explore the range of opportunities available to you. Whether you’re interested in finance, marketing, human resources, or management, you can use your business degree to pursue a job in any of these areas. From entry-level to executive positions, from corporate offices to small business start-ups, the possibilities are endless. Read on to find out more about the jobs you can get with a business degree.

Types of roles available with a business degree

If you’ve earned a business degree, you can pursue a career in just about any industry. Here are a few examples of the types of roles you can get with a business degree:

  • Accountant - An accountant’s role is to keep track of a business’s finances, managing and auditing different financial records and figures. Accounting jobs typically require a degree in accounting or finance. If you choose to pursue this career path, you can expect to earn an average salary of $59,000 per year.
  • Advertising manager - Advertising managers oversee the creation and dissemination of marketing materials such as advertisements, brochures, and product packaging. As an advertising manager, you’ll be responsible for the creative process behind these materials, as well as their overall dissemination across different marketing channels like radio and television. To be successful in this role, you’ll need a strong understanding of marketing concepts and strategies. Average annual salary: $99,800.
  • Brand manager - Brand managers are responsible for the strategic development and implementation of a company’s product or service brand. This involves everything from the development of logos and marketing materials to the strategic positioning of the company’s products or services. Brand managers typically work in marketing roles, but can also be found in product management and sales roles. Average annual salary: $116,100.

Common roles in finance

Financial analysts - Financial analysts research, interpret and synthesize data to inform business strategy. Data analysts may specialize in a particular area, like accounting or market analysis, or they may focus on a certain industry.

Financial consultants - Financial consultants advise businesses on financial strategy and management. They may specialize in a particular industry, like healthcare or technology, or in a type of business, like small businesses or publicly-traded corporations.

Treasurers - Treasurers are responsible for managing a company’s cash flow and ensuring that it has enough money to stay afloat. From forecasting and tracking expenses to arranging to finance and managing cash reserves, the role of treasurer can vary greatly from company to company.

Common roles in marketing

Marketing Directors - Marketing directors are responsible for the creative development and implementation of a company’s marketing strategy. This person is hands-on and involved in marketing campaigns and often works directly with a company’s sales and marketing teams to ensure that their efforts are strategically aligned.

Marketing Managers - Marketing managers oversee a company’s marketing efforts, but they don’t participate in the creative process behind campaigns. These individuals focus on monitoring the company’s progress towards strategic goals, as well as managing a company’s analytics and data.

Marketing Analysts - Marketing analysts research and interpret data related to a company’s marketing efforts. This may include market research, data about customers and competitors, or information about a company’s marketing channels.

Common roles in human resources

HR Managers - HR managers oversee a company’s HR functions, which typically include hiring, human resource planning and management, employee relations, benefits administration, and policy and compliance management.

HR Directors - HR directors are responsible for the overall direction of a company’s HR department. They are typically hands-on involved in day-to-day HR operations.

Employee Relations Managers - Employee relations managers handle employee relations issues, like grievances, terminations, and disciplinary action. They may also handle employee wellness and engagement initiatives.

Employee Benefits Managers - Employee benefits managers are responsible for managing a company’s benefits offerings, including insurance, healthcare, and retirement plans.

Common roles in management

Marketing Managers - Marketing managers plan, direct, and coordinate a company’s marketing strategy. This includes managing and directing the efforts of the marketing team, as well as overseeing the development and implementation of marketing campaigns.

Sales Managers - Sales managers are responsible for assisting sales teams with closing new sales and increasing their bottom line.

Operations Managers - Operations managers oversee a company’s production and operations functions, usually in a manufacturing environment. This includes managing the production team, quality control efforts, and the company’s supply chain.

Human Resources Managers - Human resources managers are responsible for overseeing a company’s HR functions and managing its HR team.

Entry-level roles

If you’re just beginning your career, you may be considering entry-level positions with your business degree. Here are a few types of entry-level jobs you can get with a business degree:

  • Financial analyst - Financial analysts research and interpret data to inform company strategy. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field.
  • Marketing analyst - Marketing analysts research and interpret data related to a company’s marketing efforts. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field.
  • Human resources assistant - Human resources assistants provide support for a company’s HR department. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field.
  • Sales assistant - Sales assistants work directly with sales teams to assist with sales efforts. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field.

Executive roles

If you’re interested in climbing the corporate ladder with your business degree, you may be considering an executive role. Here are a few types of executive roles you can get with a business degree:

  • Marketing Director - Marketing directors oversee the creative development and implementation of a company’s marketing strategy. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.
  • Operations Manager - Operations managers oversee a company’s production and operations functions, usually in a manufacturing environment. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.
  • Sales Director - Sales directors oversee a company’s sales efforts, including managing the sales team, expanding the company’s sales efforts, and increasing its bottom line. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.
  • Human Resources Director - Human resources directors oversee a company’s HR functions and manage its HR team. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.
  • Marketing Director - Marketing directors oversee the creative development and implementation of a company’s marketing strategy. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.

Corporate roles

If you’re interested in climbing the corporate ladder with your business degree, you may be considering an executive role. Here are a few types of corporate roles you can get with a business degree:

  • Brand Manager - Brand managers are responsible for the strategic development and implementation of a company’s product or service brand. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field.
  • Treasurer - Treasurers are responsible for managing a company’s cash flow and ensuring that it has enough money to stay afloat. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field.
  • Marketing Director - Marketing directors oversee the creative development and implementation of a company’s marketing strategy. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.
  • Sales Director - Sales directors oversee a company’s sales efforts, including managing the sales team, expanding the company’s sales efforts, and increasing its bottom line. This role usually requires at least a few years of experience in the field.

Small business start-ups

If you’re interested in starting your own business, you can use your business degree to get your company off the ground. Here are a few types of roles you can get with a business degree as a small business owner:

  • CEO/Owner - CEOs and owners are responsible for the overall strategic and operational direction of a company. This role usually requires several years of experience in the field. Co-founders and startup founders and entrepreneurs have been increasing in popularity among both college students as well as recent graduates. In fact, not too long ago there wasn’t even a major for entrepreneurship and now most 4 year universities offer this as an options because of the popularity.
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