Management is a popular career path, and for good reason. It provides job stability, opportunities for advancement, and the ability to enact meaningful changes in a job environment that ignites your passion. Breaking into this field requires commitment, but the right degree could offer a definite edge and pay dividends long after you graduate.
In this guide, we answer a few key questions to help you take the next steps toward a career you love: What do you learn in business management programs, and, based on the coursework, is business management a good major? Learn how you can benefit from studying business management and why this is such an ideal option for building a future-proof career path.
Is Business Management a Good Major?
A business management degree represents a big commitment, so you want to be sure you choose the best program. As you make plans for your education and career, it’s only natural to wonder: Is business management a good major?
Simply put, business management can be an excellent major. Much of this program’s appeal lies in the unique blend of skills it promotes, for example, soft skills like communication and creativity, along with targeted management skills like information systems analysis, risk assessment, performance management, and more. There are also plenty of opportunities to build powerful connections that form the basis of an impressive professional network.
Despite these benefits, there are some caveats worth considering; namely, management isn’t suitable for everyone. Not all students can dedicate the time and effort to management coursework, and not all aspire to move into management-related careers. This degree is more likely to prove worthwhile if it aligns with your professional goals and you find its foundational concepts compelling.
The Importance of Future-Proofing Your Career
A variety of factors will naturally play into academic and career planning. If you’re like many ambitious students, you will make decisions that place your interests, natural talents, and passion projects at the forefront. Additionally, you should be mindful of the future—not just your projected income when you land that initial management or leadership position but also long-term career prospects and opportunities for advancement. Some paths are more likely to prove sustainable, even as new technologies emerge and industry trends shift.
Future-proofing your career means developing a wide range of foundational skills that have consistently proven relevant over time. Yes, it is important to master new tools and technologies, but this mastery should be underscored by an understanding of core concepts that are always central to the business world. You could achieve exactly that by pursuing a degree in business management, as you have the chance to study essentials such as organizational behavior, motivation, and leadership. These insights will remain relevant and impactful for years to come.
Another future-proofing necessity? Sporting a degree on your resume that employers respect. A degree in business management is a great fit from this perspective, as potential employers recognize the hard work that goes into this program. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA): Management provides the breadth of learning associated with general education courses, plus an in-depth understanding of management principles.
5 Benefits of a Business Degree
A business degree offers excellent opportunities to establish a wide-reaching skill set, a strong professional network, and the confidence to make your mark while pursuing your ambitious career goals. This can be a challenging degree program, so you will want to identify your why for studying business management early on, as this will keep you motivated every step of the way.
To help, we’ve highlighted the top benefits of seeking a business management degree:
1. Versatility
Few degree programs are more versatile than business management, which prepares you to pursue compelling job opportunities across many sectors. From finance and IT to agriculture or hospitality, every industry calls for strong leadership that properly trained management professionals are equipped to provide. Foundational skills (like communication, critical thinking, and cultural competency) developed throughout a business management degree are relevant in nearly any management job imaginable, and the degree itself is desirable to employers of all kinds.
2. High Demand
Business management is in high demand, especially as organizations strive to adjust to rapidly changing markets and technological opportunities. Throughout many types of management, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates above-average job expansion in the next several years. HR management, for example, has a growth outlook of 5%, outpaced slightly by the 6% outlook for training and development managers.
3. Job Stability
Once you find that first post-graduation job, you want to feel confident in your future as a professional. The good news is many of the positions within your reach happen to be highly stable, in part because the demand for skilled management professionals is so high. Specifically, there is a consistent need for effective leaders in several industries the Washington Post identified as ideal for job security—including healthcare, IT, and financial services. With a degree in business management, your transferable skills could allow you to shift your focus if desired as well as to remain in your preferred sector for years or even decades.
4. Potential for Advancement
After a few years of success in the workforce, you might be eager to take on new opportunities. A business management degree prepares you to rise through the ranks by equipping you with a growth mindset and the ability to develop new skills quickly. As a management student, you may come to realize the learning process never ends and that gaining new insights can be personally and professionally gratifying. You will also be prepared to succeed as a graduate-level student, and if you go on to complete a master’s degree, you could find a greater wealth of viable career opportunities.
5. Competitive Advantage
As you go after the most in-demand job opportunities, your BSBA degree can provide a significant edge. This represents more than a credential, although that alone gives your resume a boost, too. Beyond that, however, you will establish specific skills that today’s employers value most, paired with the confidence to leverage them.
What Do You Learn in Business Management?
As a business management student, you can expect to develop a range of competencies diving deep into the most impactful tools, technologies, and research. In addition, you have the chance to apply these skills through experiential exercises, case studies, or even internships. Essentials covered in this degree program include:
Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking involves a rational thought process that emphasizes the big picture and how to achieve overarching objectives. It calls for a thorough analysis of many critical factors and the ability to synthesize this information to arrive at meaningful, actionable takeaways. This skill is developed through various exercises and application opportunities offered through the business management program. Courses such as strategic management, in particular, provide valuable opportunities to practice strategic thinking and decision-making.
Leadership and Management Skills
As a business management student, you will delve into the complex, underlying theories of organizational behavior and leadership. For instance, you can gain a thorough understanding of group dynamics, employee engagement, and the many processes that impact employee behavior. You also have many opportunities to practice essential skills including delegation, emotional intelligence, and time management.
Financial Acumen
Strong financial management provides a reliable path to meeting key business objectives. This is one of management’s most critical responsibilities, and while some systems used to facilitate these processes have changed through the years, the foundational principles of managerial finance have long remained consistent. These play a vital role in any business management degree program, with capital management and financial statements studied in detail. Many courses also explore finance and budgeting as they relate to specific aspects of business management, such as project management or international trade.
Global Business Perspective
The business environment has an increasingly global element, emphasizing meaningful interactions with clients, customers, and stakeholders around the world. A global perspective is crucial to understanding the cultural components that underscore numerous business strategies or approaches to decision-making. This is a future-proofing essential, as research indicates globalization is alive and well and that cross-cultural communication will remain a vital part of the global economy far into the future.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
There is more to management than working as an executive. Management graduates are well-equipped to undertake the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurism as well. This is an excellent path for ambitious and innovative individuals who have big goals and are eager to bring their unique visions to life.
While it is possible to pursue an entrepreneurial path without a management degree, this is not advised. The first problem with this approach? You would lack the credibility needed to build a solid foundation of trust with your clients, vendors, or investors. What’s more, you may face a steep learning curve, in which simple mistakes prove costly or downright devastating. This learning curve can be flattened through exposure to foundational management concepts, plus guidance from faculty members eager to see you succeed.
Business Management Courses
The BSBA is a professional degree program encompassing general education, the functions of business, and targeted management courses. General education requirements provide a valuable breadth of learning, delivering exposure to a variety of relevant concepts while promoting soft skill development. These courses are complemented by business and management essentials, such as:
- Principles of accounting
- Introduction to data analytics and visualization
- Concepts in organizational behavior
- Project management
- Human resource management
Academic internships can also help satisfy degree requirements. This type of experiential learning encourages you to apply key findings from management coursework in real-world settings.
Earn a Business Management Degree at UTC
Do you have big ambitions for your career? The right degree from the right program could prepare you for success in a number of fields. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA): Management is a wonderful route to take. Available online, this program offers the blend of flexibility, accountability, and support that today’s working students desire and require. Reach out today to learn more about this program or to apply so you can take the next step toward a rewarding future in business management.
