Which Business Degree Should I Study?

The world of business and commerce covers a vast array of potential job opportunities. Business is a popular choice for high school graduates entering a degree program. A business degree – whether general or more specified – can help you find a lucrative and rewarding job, with further potential to climb the ladder.

What sort of person makes a good business student? What jobs are covered by the business umbrella? And what qualifications do you ideally need to begin your career in the business world? These are questions we will answer below, so let’s begin.

Is a Business Career for Me?

Who will succeed in a career in business? That depends on the area of business in which you wish to work. Do you want to go into management? Or perhaps you are looking at a career in accountancy? Maybe you want to get into the world of finance or real estate. All of these – and many more – come under the banner of business.

If you are unsure which area you want to enter, the best choice is perhaps a general business degree. This will cover the main areas of business, and the bachelor’s degree level will also involve general education in English, mathematics, and other areas such as history and humanities.

All bachelor’s degrees involve a large element of education other than the major subject, as the aim is for the student to leave university with a good grounding in the liberal arts. Bachelor’s degrees can be studied on campus or, as is becoming popular, online. The latter is a viable method of furthering your education if you are already in full-time employment or have a family at home.

Next, we want to look at some of the requirements for more specific jobs in the business world.

What Qualifications Do I Need for My Chosen Career?

As explained above a general business degree makes a sensible choice for those as yet undecided on their future profession. If you are set on a particular role, there may be expected levels of education for application.

For example, if you are looking at starting as an accounts clerk or auditing clerk, you may be accepted with a good high school diploma. As with all applications an associate's degree or higher will open more doors and improve your possibilities.

An associate's degree is a two-year course that can be studied at a junior college, and later – if required – converted into a bachelor's degree with a further two years at university.

If you are set on a career as an accountant you will need to study to at least a bachelor’s level preferably in business and finance or other relevant areas. Likewise, financial analysts and managers will need a similar qualifications.

A real estate appraiser is an interesting role that can be applied for with an associates degree, but be aware that more employers are demanding a bachelor's degree for this type of job as demand is high.

We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s involved in a career in business, so start your research now and choose the right degree.