Types of business careers: A guide for college students

Business is one of the most common fields of study for undergraduate students. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, business majors make up approximately 19% of all undergraduate students in the U.S.

One reason why business degrees are so popular may be because of the vast job opportunities available in business. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment in business and financial operations roles will grow by about 7% from 2021 to 2031, resulting in approximately 750,800 new jobs.

Even within the business field, there are several career areas that college students may choose to specialize in. This guide will cover some possible career paths for college students who major in business.

Common business career areas

Careers in business span many different industries and job titles. Oftentimes, business degrees are specialized for a particular career area.

Lynn University offers eight different types of online business degrees:

• B.S. in Business Administration
• B.S. in Data Analytics
• B.S. in Entrepreneurship
• B.S. in Healthcare Management
• B.S. in Human Resource Management
• B.S. in International Business Management
• B.S. in Investment Management
• B.S. in Marketing

Dr. Harika Rao, assistant dean and associate professor at Lynn University’s College of Business and Management, explains that students who are considering majoring in business should research specific careers that might interest them. “With Lynn University’s online business programs, you can narrow your focus on specific fields of study that interest you the most,” she says.

Here is a closer look at the eight business career areas covered in Lynn University’s online business programs.

Business administration

Business administration refers to the supervision of business operations. In a business administration role, you will be responsible for making sure your organization runs smoothly and efficiently. Your day-to-day work may include administrative tasks such as balancing budgets or onboarding new employees. You may also develop new strategies for streamlining your organization’s internal processes.

The curriculum for a bachelor’s degree in business administration typically covers areas such as business strategy, leadership, operations management and financial reporting.

Possible careers with a degree in business administration

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration, you may pursue a career in the following industries:

• Business and finance
• Construction
• Communication
• Healthcare and medicine
• Sales and marketing
• Government and public administration

Data analytics

Businesses are becoming increasingly more reliant on data to drive company decision-making. In fact, the BLS estimates that careers for operations research analysts—a position closely related to data analysts—will grow 23% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

As a business professional working in analytics, you will be responsible for interpreting sets of data and providing data-driven recommendations for your organization. Oftentimes, these recommendations will focus on how your organization can become more efficient or attract more customers.

A bachelor’s degree in data analytics can teach you the foundational skills you need to analyze, interpret and use data.

Possible careers with a degree in data analytics

A bachelor’s degree in data analytics may prepare you for the following roles:

• Data analyst
• Big data engineer
• Database developer or administrator

Entrepreneurship

Are you interested in starting your own business? Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that monthly applications for new businesses rose dramatically in 2021, far exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

While anyone with a solid business idea and the necessary funding can become an entrepreneur, having a background in business education can help you get your business off the ground. “Earning a degree in entrepreneurship can give you a solid foundation for building your business,” says Rao. “It can ensure that you are making the right strategic decisions.”

A bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship teaches you how to raise capital, how to accurately value your business, how to scale your organization and how to market your business to your target audience. “This type of degree gives you an understanding of how all of the components of a business move,” says Rao.

Possible careers with a degree in entrepreneurship

In addition to providing you with the skills needed to start your own business, a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship prepares you to work in the following areas:

• Corporate entrepreneurship or e-commerce
• Business consulting and analysis
• Mid- to large-size business management
• Venture capital investment
• Family business management

Healthcare management

The healthcare industry is massive, employing more than 20 million people in the U.S., according to a 2021 report from the Census Bureau. Business professionals who are interested in this fast-growing field might consider working in a healthcare management role.

Healthcare management professionals are typically responsible for planning and coordinating patient care, but they do not provide any patient care themselves. This can be an ideal career path for someone who is interested in the healthcare industry but would prefer to work behind the scenes. It may also be a good fit for individuals who have experience working in a patient-facing healthcare role but would like to transition into a managerial role.

A degree in healthcare management covers what you need to know to take on a managerial or administrative role in healthcare. You’ll learn about the operations, regulations, ethics and finances of the healthcare industry.

Possible careers with a degree in healthcare management

A degree in healthcare management prepares you for the following roles:

• Healthcare manager
• Health services manager
• Medical manager
• Patient services manager

Human resource management

Human resources professionals are found in nearly every industry. They help ensure that organizations have the talent they need by assisting with recruiting, interviewing and hiring. They also tend to oversee employee benefits programs and work with current employees to address any workplace concerns.

Rao explains that while human resources departments were traditionally seen as independent from other aspects of business, there is increasingly more overlap between human resources and other business functions.

“For example, if you work in HR, you’ll need to have a strong grasp of management strategies,” she says. “In many cases, HR professionals are responsible for managing payroll, which means there’s a crossover with finance careers as well.”

If you’re interested in working in human resources, a bachelor’s degree in human resource management may be right for you. An HR management degree covers topics such as employment law, employee retention strategies and contemporary issues in the HR space.

Possible careers with a degree in human resource management

A degree in human resource management can prepare you for the following positions:

• Human resources manager
• Compensation and benefits manager
• Training and development manager
• Social and community service manager
• Director of human resources
• Employee relations manager
• Human resources specialist
• Social and human service assistant

International business management

International businesses face several unique challenges. For example, employees at international organizations may be called upon to communicate with customers and business partners from other cultures or navigate currency exchange rates.

As the world becomes more globalized, it’s increasingly important for business professionals to know how to operate in international organizations.

A degree in international business management teaches students about global business analytics, global logistics management and international trade. “At Lynn University, we have designed our courses to take a global, dynamic view of business,” says Rao.

Possible careers with a degree in international business management

Career opportunities in international business management include:

• Global corporation manager
• Public sector or international business specialist
• International marketing manager
• International entrepreneur
• International organization researcher

Investment management

Investment management professionals oversee the assets of individuals and companies, providing recommendations for how their clients can grow their portfolios. According to the BLS, jobs for financial managers will grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

To be successful in investment management, you’ll need to understand global financial markets and wealth investment strategies. It is also important to have strong communication skills, since you will likely spend a lot of time interacting with clients.

“Where you decide to go with a career in investment management depends on your strengths,” says Rao. “If you’re interested in math and statistics, you may want to be the person actively managing people’s portfolios. If you’re more interested in communicating with clients, you may want to be a client manager at a private bank.”

A bachelor’s degree in investment management prepares you for a variety of careers in the investment space. With this type of degree, you’ll learn about the ins and outs of financial markets and how to manage financial risk.

Lynn University’s B.S. in Investment Management also prepares you to take the Securities Industries Essentials Exam (SIE) and the Series 7 – General Securities Representative Qualification Examination, both of which are a common prerequisite for careers that involve buying and trading securities.

Possible careers with a degree in investment management

Career opportunities within investment management include:

• Private banker
• Investment banker
• Wealth manager
• Stock broker
• Trading desk trader
• Bank executive

Marketing

Marketing professionals are responsible for advertising a company’s products and services to their intended audiences. Tasks may include performing market research, creating marketing plans and implementing marketing campaigns. The goals of marketing departments include increasing sales and building brand awareness.

Marketing covers a wide array of distribution channels, from social media posts to physical billboards. In a bachelor’s in marketing program, you can expect to learn about industry trends, consumer behavior, economics and more.

Possible careers with a degree in marketing

A bachelor’s degree in marketing provides you with the foundational knowledge needed for several marketing roles:

• Marketing manager
• Corporate sales specialist
• Brand strategist
• Market researcher
• Data analyst
• Social media strategist
• Entertainment marketer

Is a degree in business right for you?

The right degree program for you ultimately depends on your personal career interests. Since there are many different types of business degrees you can pursue, career outcomes can be quite varied.

Wondering what it takes to succeed as a business major? According to Rao, business students at Lynn University tend to share the following characteristics:

• Diligence
• Strong communication skills
• Perseverance
• Dedication
• An openness to learn

Even though Lynn University offers eight different online business degrees, there are several commonalities between programs. Additionally, Lynn University’s courses and programs are built to provide flexibility to students if they decide to change their major.

“As technology has evolved and as we focus more on globalization, the subjects covered in our business degree programs begin to merge,” says Rao. “The common themes between all of our business programs are thinking outside the box and looking at business from a global perspective.”

Rao emphasizes that no matter which program you’re enrolled in or which class you’re taking, your professors can be a great source of career advice. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professor and ask them questions about career progression. More often than not, they will be happy to provide you with support.”

Pursue a business career with Lynn University

Want to take the next step toward a career in business? Lynn University’s online business degree programs can help you prepare for a wide range of career opportunities, covering everything from data analytics to HR management.

To learn more about how an online undergraduate business degree could help you meet your career goals, get in touch today.