Next to accounting students, business administration degree holders stand atop the job applicant world.
A bachelor of science in business administration can open up a number of career opportunities. In a June 6, 2010, article published by Eric Gorski of the Associated Press, job applicants with a degree in business administration were second only to applicants with an accounting degree in terms of popularity with potential employers. Some degree programs allow students to experience the best of both worlds, receiving the B.S. in business administration with a concentration or minor in accounting.
Financial Controller
According to PayScale.com, one of the top professions for someone holding the B.S. in Business Administration degree is that of a financial controller or manager. As of June 2010, the average salary range for financial managers in the United States was $70,198-$104,413. Many financial controllers have a master's degree or higher, but as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points out, some positions, like that of a bank manager, may require experience over and above advanced education. Financial managers are responsible for overseeing the major financial operations of a business. They are responsible for setting both the short- and long-term financial goals of an organization. An applicant with a bachelor's degree in the business administration field may beat out others with higher degrees because they may enter the job on the lower end of the payscale or simply because they have more experience.
Human Resource Generalist
Human resources is one of the faster growing fields for those holding the B.S. in Business Administration. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections indicated that the job market for human resource managers will grow at a 22 percent rate through 2018, a rate far above the average rate for all other professions. Payscale.com indicates that the salary range as of 2010 for human resource managers nationwide was $48,511-$71,233. These professionals are responsible for hiring and training new workers. In the area of labor relations, they also serve as the liaisons between upper-level management and workers. Some business administration degree programs offer concentrations in human resources. Education requirements vary among employers; a bachelor's degree is sufficient in many industries.
Financial Analyst
A third career for business administration degree holders is that of a financial analyst. This field, similar to that of the financial controller or manager, is closely tied to the investment sector. Financial analysts provide information and assistance to those responsible for making the ultimate financial decisions in companies and corporations. The job outlook for financial analysts is expected to remain strong through 2018, with a 20 percent increase in the number of jobs available. This projection provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reflective of the expectation that the increased complexity of the global market will continue to increase the need for workers in this field. The average salary of financial analysts nationwide for 2010 was $46,375-$57,352.
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