Whether you are going into business yourself, have a business already or are seeking to better yourself in the corporate world you are likely to need a qualification in business administration.
I already know what I’m doing – do i need to qualify?
Why do I need a qualification in Business Administration when I already know that stuff you say? Well, let us look at the corporate world first. The Australian unemployment rate was 6.1% for December 2014 and according to recent published results is starting to drop. That means that companies are now starting to hire again after a period of disquiet and uncertainty. It also means that there are a lot of people seeking the role that you really want. A qualification in Business Administration differentiates you from other lesser-qualified candidates. Going through the rigours of obtaining a formal qualification, with the time constraints and self-discipline required shows that you can be trusted with important projects. The skills that you learn from a qualification in Business Administration also help you with the work content of your new job.
Business administration for entrepreneurs
If you are an entrepreneur, of course you are both time and budget challenged so why would you need a qualification in Business Administration? Many business administration qualifications now have modules for the entrepreneur. You could learn entrepreneurship, marketing and management from people who have studied these subjects for many years. You will also make valuable connections with other business people and may even be sent out on consultancy assignments by your college or university, enabling you to practice the lessons learnt in a safe environment.
So what qualifications in Business Administration are available in Australia?
Well there is the big one the Masters of Business Administration, often known as the MBA, which is a tough, well, thought of degree that will put you at the top of the tree. If you are not sure that you can commit to this, as you already have a job you need to keep, and you’d prefer to fit your study around this, there are many more Business administration courses that you can study. These include, from the lowest level:
- Certificate of Business Administration – This is a gateway for many business administration careers but also helps people back into the learning environment.
- Diploma of Business Management or Administration – A very business focused course that includes a considerable amount of practical learning. This diploma not only opens many career doors but also qualifies a lesser-educated person for a degree course.
- Degree in Business Management that is more learning based although some universities offer sandwich courses that include some time working with a company. Many universities and colleges offer business courses that allow you to study more than one subject area such as a degree in Entrepreneurship and Management. Take care to chose the modules that you believe are interesting and informative as well as useful for your career or business.
- Graduate Certificate in Business Administration- This is a postgraduate course intending to give a formal recognition for your career success to date.
- PHD in Business Administration – This is the highest degree for those that wish to spend several years researching a specific subject area or move into University life.
Whilst spending a few months or years on gaining that qualification in Business Administration, may at first seem daunting, what you learn and who you meet will be worthwhile whether you’re an entrepreneur who wants to learn how to run their business better, or someone who wants to take the next step up the career ladder.
Chris believes in a fair education for all. He works tirelessly to ensure that even people from disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to engage with learning. Chris’ passion for education translates in the way he instills a love of learning in the young people at Kangan Institute. You can read more here.