If you’ve decided to study for a business studies degree, you’ve probably given some thought to what you’d like to do afterwards. If you haven’t, then you’re in luck – a business studies degree comes with plenty of transferable skills and a wide variety of career paths.
So what do business studies careers look like, and how can you best map out your career path after your degree?
what jobs can I get with a business studies degree?
A generalised business degree – like a Bachelors degree in Management or International Business – will open plenty of doors to business studies careers.
Some of the most common jobs for business studies graduates include:
- Accountant
- Consultant
- Analyst
- Actuary
- Marketing Professional
Technology is another area that frequently hires business graduates. You can find roles at established companies such as Microsoft and IBM plus smaller startups in fast-growing sectors like blockchain or fintech.
You can aim for a variety of roles in this industry, too, including management, strategy, and marketing.
Another popular route for graduates is entrepreneurship. Starting your business offers you the opportunity to make use of all the skills you’ve picked up during your degree, and gives you the flexibility and thrill of being your own boss.
Recruiters have said that there will be increased demand for business studies graduates in the next few years, meaning now is a great time to choose a business studies career. Industries like consulting and finance will see the most demand.
However, the skills you obtain on a business studies degree will help in any number of careers and roles. You’ll graduate with competencies in strategy, communication, and leadership, meaning the world is your oyster when it comes to careers.
which business studies careers pay the most?
There are plenty of factors that will go into choosing a career, and, naturally, money might be one of these. After spending money on your business degree, you’ll be looking for a return on that investment.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the highest paying business studies careers are situated in the finance industry. After a postgraduate business degree, you might aim for the C-Suite (CEO or CFO positions), where your salary could reach up to €250,000 per year.
Here are some of the highest paying jobs you could get after your business studies degree, with their average salaries (based on roles in Frankfurt, Germany):
- Financial Analyst: €61,000
- Manager: €81,000
- Finance Manager: €84,000
- Project Manager: €68,000
- Investment Analyst: €68,000
- HR Manager: €70,000
If a high salary is what you’re after, you’ll be happy to hear that most postgraduate students (e.g. MBA or Masters) see huge increases after graduation. One in three graduate business studies alumni said their salary increased from between €40,000-€85,000 to over €85,000 after their degree.
Preparing for your business career
When mapping out your ideal business studies career, it’s best to get planning early. Try to choose a degree or specialisations that match your ideal career, and put plans in place to find relevant internships or work experience during your degree.
If you’re going into your degree with no idea which career to aim for, don’t worry. Broad degrees like a Bachelors in Business or Masters in Management will cover a wide variety of subjects, and allow you to get a feel for what you most enjoy.
When you’re mapping out your business studies career, start by listing the things you most enjoy, and the skills you think you have. Then, you might match these to some roles or industries that you think you’d be a good fit for.
Setting goals is also a key part of career planning, but remember that these should be attainable. Remember the acronym SMART when you’re coming up with goals – they should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timebound.
If you’re currently in university, take advantage of your institution’s Careers Service. The staff in the careers service will have experience in guiding students towards a carer path and might be able to refer you to a mentor in your chosen industry who can help you.
how do I choose the right business school?
Finding the right business school is your first step to getting on the right career path. While any business degree will open a variety of careers, certain universities will have specialities in subject areas like finance, marketing, or consulting.
You should aim to apply to four to six business schools, which will give you the best trade-off between programmes you are very interested in and schools you expect to be accepted into.
When choosing business schools, you should focus on specific areas that matter most to you. Tuition fees will likely be one of these, as well as the faculty or subjects covered during the degree.
However, there may be more personal specifications, including the country the school is located in, proximity to certain target companies, ranking, and flexibility of the programme.
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