What to Consider when Choosing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration
October 1, 2012
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As millions of American high school students prepare to graduate from secondary programs across the country, the time comes to decide what post-secondary institution and programs they wish to attend. The decision to attend a specific school and enroll in particular programs is up to the individual student. Factors included in the decision-making process will vary in importance depending on the individual. The order in which these factors are presented below won’t carry the same weight with each individual.
What Careers Fields Interest the Individual?
No two individuals have the same goal when applying for a Bachelor in Business Administration program. By the same token, no two programs necessarily offer the same specialization and education. Students should consider what positions they are interested in and what career fields offer an opportunity for employment with that position. These needs should be matched up with the offerings of a particular program.
Examples of varying employment futures are visible when comparing positions like Human Resources Manager and Medical/Health Services Manager. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics,010 14% of all Human Resource Managers were employed by government agencies, the largest chunk of the employment sector. By contrast, hospitals employed a whopping 39% of all Medical/Health Services Managers that same year. In many cases, management-level positions require experience as well as a degree.
What are Some Required Skills?
Not every program is fit for each individual. Just because two individuals are interested in business, does not mean the same Bachelor in Business Administration program will work for both. While an accounting specialization might work well for the student with strong math skills; the other student might possess better communication skills and might be well-suited for a marketing or advertising focus.
Returning to the example of Human Resources and Medical/Health Services, it is easy to see where different skill sets can mean different programs for different individuals. Individuals working in Human Resources need speaking skills and managerial skills. These skills can allow them to oversee their department and effectively communicate with employees. Medical/Health Services workers need to be detail-oriented and possess good technical skills.
Will a BBA Help with Employment?
There is little sense in earning a degree just for the sake of holding a Bachelor’s degree. This tactic may work for some individuals, but that is rarely the case in the field of business. Before considering a BBA program, individuals should consider whether or not that degree will help when they are looking for work.
According to CareerBuilder.com, as of 2011 the Bachelor’s in Business Administration was among the 11 Most Wanted Degrees. This undergraduate degree is highly valued because it provides students with a broad educational base and can help open the door to various career fields.
As with many things related to college and continuing education, different individuals will experience different outcomes in the long run. It is important that each individual closely examines the factors mentioned above and keeps them in mind when looking at different schools and programs. A Bachelor’s in Business Administration is only as valuable as the individual obtaining it thinks it is for them.
Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-4
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-3
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-4
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-3
http://www.degreedriven.com/articles/11-most-wanted-degrees-in-2011/