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CAREER GUIDE Business Management Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

WGU degree programs correspond with careers that promise continued growth. Start on your path today.

Career guide: business management.

Business Management salaries are very lucrative and can help elevate career possibilities. Many people are attracted to this field because Business Management salaries are higher than others. Today's business environments are dynamic, diverse, and extremely complex; successful careers in business management require the development of skills and careful planning. Maybe you're looking to advance your position at your current employer, or perhaps you're using your current job as a stepping-stone to a bigger role in a different organization. Maybe you're even considering branching out on your own. Whatever your professional goals might be, developing your business management skills is essential to your professional satisfaction and success.

Many business professionals choose to advance their careers in fields they are already familiar with or in areas where they have a personal interest. Others are motivated by the challenge of mastering something completely new and different. Whether your goal is to work your way up the ladder at an international corporation, to start a business, or to take over a family business, you'll need a solid understanding of how to effectively manage every aspect of the company you expect to lead. Your future employer will expect you to have the knowledge and skills necessary to manage effectively in diverse business environments. Acquire, then polish those skills, and the sky's the limit for your career and increased income in business management.

Job listing growth 2016–2026.

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Career opportunities.

What can you do with a business management degree? The possibilities are almost endless, because every industry requires leadership and sound business fundamentals. Whether you're focused on following your entrepreneurial spirit by starting your own business, are looking into business management salaries as a way to earn more money, making a career move into an industry you find interesting, or laying the groundwork for advancement at your current job, the right education and training can take you places, including areas like:

Positions in the field.

  • Administrative services
  • Advertising, promotions, and marketing
  • Architecture and engineering
  • Computer and information systems
  • Construction
  • Finance
  • Human resources
  • Industrial production
  • Medical and health services
“Attending WGU online was the perfect way for me to further my education. I could basically work at my own pace and use the knowledge I had already learned from working for so many years before attending. I love WGU and all the mentors who helped me succeed and earn my bachelor's degree in Business Management.” Debra Marshall
B.S. Business Management

Job market forecast.

It's no secret the economy has been growing over the past few years, and the job market has responded, in some areas more than others. U.S. News & World Report suggests that a degree in business administration/management could be your ticket to a dramatically increased job prospects: "If you're wrapping up your Bachelor of Science in business or management, or if you're completing an MBA program, you've been exposed to numerous areas of business, including marketing, finance, statistics, and economics. You're an employer's dream come true." money.usnews.com

Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting employment growth will be driven by the formation of new organizations and the expansion of existing ones, which in turn will require more managers and executives.

Job growth 2016–2026.

Work environment.

As you might expect, most careers in business management take place in an office environment. If you work for a large corporation, it's likely you can factor a significant amount of travel into your future. And if you're truly focused on reaching the upper levels of management (and enjoying the rewards that go along with those positions), it won't come as any surprise that your workweek might extend into evenings and weekends. In fact, in 2016, about half of top executives worked more than 40 hours per week.

Professional organizations.

Careers in business management continue to expand and diversify as global economies develop and intertwine. Here are a few resources that can help you decide whether business management is an area that can provide you with professional satisfaction:

Job search resources.

Find out if your business management skills are in line with opportunities in today's job market. These links can help you set your sights on a career in business management:


Business Management Salary Stats.

Business Management salaries are often tied to your education level, leadership experience, and the specific industry in which you are employed. Even the locations of firms, organizations, or government agencies doing the hiring can have an effect on your prospective earnings. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does state that top executives are among the highest paid workers in the United States. Furthermore, total compensation for corporate executives often includes stock options and other performance bonuses. As a reference point, consider that the median annual wage for general and operations managers was $100,410 in May 2017.

Average business management salary for jobs with related titles.


Summary.

Business Management professionals plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of the companies and organizations that employ them. Many top executives who reach the top echelons of management start out with at least a bachelor's degree in an area that focuses on a broad spectrum of skills, including communication, decision-making, leadership, management, problem-solving, and time management. Since business management salaries vary from place to place, you may find yourself networking to find the best career fit.

Your professional growth and development will be largely directed by you, and the surest way to achieve success is to make sure your business management resume is up-to-date with skills that meet the demands and expectations of today's complex organizational environments.

Next Start Date

Jan 1

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Your career’s next step: Earn a degree.

Ready to jump-start your career in business management? The next step could be earning your B.S. Business Management. Accredited, competency-based WGU offers this degree online for at a surprisingly affordable flat-rate tuition. Flexible enough for a working adult’s schedule with the option to accelerate, your degree may be closer than you think!