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Do you know you want to own your own business someday? Then a business degree is a wise choice for a wide range of reasons.
Ultimately, the goal of a degree is to learn marketable skills. Perhaps just as important, however, a degree will give you the credentials to prove that you have those skills.
So it’s crucial to consider what skills you will need and which degree will best provide employers with the proof that you possess them.
An online business degree is a common choice both for people who are just contemplating their career as well as for those want to take a leap forward in their career. Probably this is due to the wide applicability and the broad set of skills a business degree offers.
So let’s take a look at some of the benefits a business degree can offer, whether you’re just entering the workforce or hoping to get ahead.
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A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
A bachelor’s degree in business administration is one of the most common degrees earned at universities. These four-year programs are designed to help graduates build the knowledge they need for the everyday running of a business.
Business degrees come in a wide variety of specializations. These include accounting, finance, public relations, and marketing. Any one of these specializations will allow you to tailor your skill set toward the career you hope to have.
However, this doesn’t mean you have to be so specific. Business programs often encourage or even require that students take at least a few courses in each of these areas. This provides students with the opportunity to experiment and find out what they enjoy most.
If you aren’t drawn to the more technical side of business, there are options. For instance, you might find you enjoy business administration, management, or entrepreneurship. Any of these can equip you with the skills that will lead a business to success.
An Associate’s Degree in Business
Of course, bachelor’s degrees aren’t the only kind of business education available. For those looking to make a quick turnaround and enter the job market faster, two-year associate’s degree programs are a solid alternative.
An associate’s degree might not take you as far as a higher degree. However, it can serve as a foot in the door to enter an industry. What’s more, associate’s degrees in business, particularly in business management, still teach graduates how to function in corporate and office environments. Also, they teach students how best to manage the employees who will someday work for them.
Additionally, an associate’s degree can help you secure positions in lower management. This might be enough to allow you to work your way up.
A Master of Business Administration
An option for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree is the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
An MBA offers greater scope than a bachelor’s degree. Also, an MBA will often have a focus on group work and simulating experience that other degree programs lack.
Contrary to what some believe, bachelor’s degrees in any topic are acceptable when you apply to begin studying for an MBA. Moreover, the combination of a graduate-level business degree and an undergraduate degree in another field can be quite potent.
Earning a graduate degree can qualify you for upper management and even executive positions. Meanwhile, your prior degree and work history can prove that you have essential knowledge and experience in your industry.
This turns you into the kind of boss employees are more likely to trust. That is, you’ll be someone who’s worked their job and understands the realities of the position. At the same time, employers will see you as able to maintain a view of the bigger picture.
A Degree That Gives You Soft Skills
There’s more to a degree than the piece of paper you get at the end, however. Classwork often helps to strengthen or build the soft skills that are relevant to many aspects of life. These include writing abilities, effective communication, time management, and problem solving.
Assignments are designed to require careful thought. What’s more, your professors will evaluate these skills with each paper you turn in. Feedback from professors and interactions with your fellow students on projects will help to identify areas of weakness that you can work on. This will ensure your abilities are up to par by the time you return to the workforce.
During your time as a student, you’ll also gain access to the university’s career center. This is where you can find help with searching out positions that will be a good fit for your new abilities.
You’ll also have access to business-related student organizations and school-sponsored networking events. And after graduation, you’ll have the framework of the university’s alumni association to draw from. Additionally, for those just starting out, internships through college can offer a big break into certain industries. What’s more, they look great on resumes regardless of where you end up.
A Business Degree and Your Goals
There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to earning a business degree. Therefore, consider carefully what your goals are and what each program has to offer. Learn about each university’s school of business before applying. Consider how well their philosophies align with yours. In this way, you will ensure that you get the most out of your time there.
If you’re sure of your choice, then the skills you learn while pursuing a business degree can only add to your confidence in the workforce.
