What Can You Do with an Associate Degree in Business?

Campus is the new alternative to online community college that provides a 100% live and online Associate of Arts in Business Administration degree program. Our comprehensive, career-focused business program equips students from across the U.S. with a solid foundation in core business principles to set them up for success no matter what their next step is. Read on to explore the world of business and how starting with a business degree might be your next best move.

Once you graduate with an associate degree in business administration, you can pursue various entry-level positions across different industries. This degree program provides a strong foundation of management, accounting, economics, and marketing courses for a lucrative business career. You learn critical thinking and communication skills while gaining valuable tools to enter the business field whenever you’re ready. Wondering what you can do with an associate degree in business? Let's explore some exciting possibilities.

After earning your two-year business degree, like the online associate degree in business offered at Campus, you can either get hired for an entry-level position and be gainfully employed in the business field; you can extend your education and apply full-time to earn a bachelor’s degree, or do both!

Suppose you decide to return to school to further your education in business administration. What can I do with an associate's degree in business administration, you might ask? Well, let's delve into some promising options.

For one, your associate degree program credits can possibly transfer to a bachelor’s degree plan. However, if you choose to pursue an entry-level job with your associate degree, there are several job opportunities to consider.

Those who wish to pursue entry-level jobs after earning an associate degree will typically find that they are more employable and earn higher pay than those without this level of education completed. Also, people who want to enter a full-time bachelor’s degree program usually find that an associate degree saves money and allows them to adjust to college life more quickly.

Degree Paths with an Associate Degree in Business

But what exactly can I do with an associate's in business administration? Let's uncover the potential career pathways.

Along with supporting your advancement towards a bright business career, the right associate degree in business program is equally a good start towards pushing for a bachelor's degree and opening more doors in many career fields that require four-year degrees. By earning this degree, you can enter the workforce sooner and gain marketable business skills that help you understand how businesses work.

Earning an associate degree allows you to work as needed while getting an education. With an associate degree program, you can earn income and accumulate savings to invest in continuing your education. You can more easily fit in full-time education with a part-time job or focus on your associate degree while maintaining a full-time job thanks to the flexibility of two-year and community college programs.

This flexibility in work makes it more convenient to earn a degree for those who need to support a family or don't want to give up their full-time or part-time job for other reasons. So, what can you do with an associate degree in business administration that aligns with your lifestyle and responsibilities? Let's explore some options.

Instead of putting off getting a degree, they can keep working while studying. Also, with an associate degree program, working while still attending college means you can begin working to pay off college costs as you go. Instead of holding up the costs for when you graduate, you can begin paying off your college tuition and other expenses while still being in school.

But what can I do with an associate degree in business, considering my current job situation? Let's discuss how this degree can fit into your career plans.

Associate degree programs like the Campus online associate degree in business are great if you’d like to save money while continuing to pursue your education, especially if you’d like to continue on to earn more advanced degrees and boost your career. You might be curious: what can I do with an associate's degree in business that sets me up for future success? Let's find out together.

What can I do with an associate's in business administration to further my career ambitions? Let's examine some potential avenues for growth and explore a few degree paths you could take after earning your associate in business.

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (BBA)

A bachelor's degree in business administration (BBA) program focuses on the various aspects of managing organizations and operating a business, the processes required and the people who work for it. Typically, with this degree, you can understand and apply fundamental business concepts like economics, accounting, financial management, human resource management, marketing, planning, and team management.

This degree prepares you to dive through today's most challenging business ordeals by familiarizing you with the quantitative knowledge base and management skills you need to contribute to any organization. Running an organization profitably, efficiently, and ethically demands various skills, and a BBA will provide you with all that is necessary to succeed in your business career.

With those skills and knowledge garnered, you can work across public, private, and non-profit sectors as you will better learn business management principles and applications. This will make you satisfactorily prepared to tackle more all-around job roles, because business is a lot more than managerial roles.

A bachelor's degree in business administration can open up many career paths. You will have the flexibility to pursue various organizational roles. And whether you desire an upper management job or want to start a business, a BBA can guide you into achieving your goals.

You can find job roles as a financial analyst, a project management specialist, or a human resource specialist. Here's a breakdown:

Financial Analysts

Financial analysts direct businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to gain profit. This position earns a median salary of $91,580 per year.

Human Resources Specialists

These professionals screen, recruit, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may manage compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations. The median annual salary for this position is $67,003.

Management Analysts

Management analysts suggest ways to better an organization’s efficiency. This position earns a median salary of $93,000 per year.

Training and Development Specialists

They organize, plan and administer programs that boost the skills and know-how of their employees. The median annual salary for this position is $61,570.

Project Management Specialists

These specialists plan the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project. This position earns a median salary of $94,500 per year.

Logisticians

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain. The median annual salary for this position is $77,030.

Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

A master's degree in business administration (MBA) trains you on the crucial skills and knowledge to succeed in business. These programs typically cover various business topics including

• Operations
• Finance
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Management

You gain technical expertise and build soft skills like communication, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. But what can I do with an associate degree in business administration to enhance my skill set? Let's dive into some career possibilities.

MBAs allow you to acquire the intangible qualities that you may need to be a successful business leader or entrepreneur. With an MBA, you will learn the critical skills to help keep a company or start-up successful. You will understand the market and release products and services, improve people management skills, create an influential network, gain insight into crisis management, and make informed decisions.

This degree is meant primarily for people with work experience who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of business practices. It helps build business leadership abilities while expanding on their network. An MBA gives you the confidence to be somebody who matters professionally and to increase your general value as a worker.

Also, an MBA, like a few other master's degrees, can dramatically boost your earning potential!

Bachelor's Degree in Business Management

While business administration covers a broader scope, business management is dedicated to overseeing and nurturing the company’s employees, arguably one of the most valuable resources of a business.

Business managers tend to take on leadership roles and are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of team members. Excellent business management professionals help employees in their skill development and facilitate collaboration to advance business objectives.

On one hand, the business administrators may set organizational policies, manage budgets, analyze market trends, and make high-level decisions that impact the entire organization. On the other hand, business managers may:

• Lead teams
• Manage projects
• Ensure efficient operations with their team
• Foster employee communication
• Assist in planning, directing, and organizing team goals
  

They have a hands-on, more tactical approach to managing processes, people, and resources within a business's specific department or functional area.

A bachelor's degree in business management will give you a comprehensive understanding of business principles, management practices, and leadership skills. You will have the knowledge and abilities to effectively lead teams, make strategic decisions, and manage various aspects of a business. The coursework covers business planning, entrepreneurship, and small business management, which offers the skills and knowledge to guide you through the challenges of starting and managing a business.

You become versed with the skill set that makes you a strong candidate for supervisory, middle management, and, eventually, senior management roles that can fit various business functions. You will be qualified for a whole lot of job prospects across industries, and as such, you can pursue positions such as project manager, operations manager, marketing manager, human resources manager, or management consultant.

Here's a breakdown:

Financial Reporting Manager

A financial reporting manager analyzes financial and accounting documents to determine if a specific cost can benefit the company. The annual national average salary for this position is $112,683.

Operations Manager

An operations manager oversees different departments within a company and ensures the completion of tasks and goals. The annual national average salary for this position is $72,036.

Management Analysts

Management analysts conduct studies to help outline overall procedures and document best practices to follow as an effective manager. The annual national average salary for this position is $75,288.

Sales Managers

Sales managers train and motivate employees to meet quotas, engage with potential customers and assist with sales challenges. The annual national average salary for this position is $82,493

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing

A bachelor's degree in marketing focuses on the principles and strategies of marketing, consumer behavior, advertising, branding, market research, and digital marketing. It lets you understand target markets, devise marketing campaigns, and promote products or services, gaining the skills to explore market trends, consumer choices, and competitor strategies.

Successful marketing careers need strong communication, analytical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Integrating your marketing degree with these personal qualities and steady professional development can create a rewarding career in this ever-changing marketing field.

Meanwhile, the rise of digital platforms has increased the demand for professionals skilled in digital marketing. A degree in marketing can then help you secure positions as a digital marketing specialist, focusing on content creation, email marketing, online advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO).

Generally, with a bachelor's degree in marketing, you can pursue entry-level positions as a marketing specialist or coordinator. You can also take more senior-level positions, such as marketing manager or director. The average median annual salary for positions that fit this category (Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers) is $133,380, or $64.12 per hour.

On average, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 35,300 openings for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers between 2021 and 2031.

Master's Degree in Marketing

A master's degree in marketing allows you to dig deeper into specific areas of marketing, such as market research, consumer behavior, digital marketing, branding, or international marketing. This specialized knowledge builds expertise in a particular field and makes you stand out as a subject matter expert. It provides a total understanding of cutting-edge marketing ideas and approaches that you can fuse with tough business challenges.

Wondering what can I do with an associate's in business administration to enhance my professional acumen? Let's explore some avenues for growth. Your strategic thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities are sure to improve. You learn to:

• Analyze market trends
• Evaluate consumer behavior
• Conduct advanced market research
• Develop marketing plans
• Make data-driven decisions

These skills are highly valued in the business world and are essential for senior-level marketing positions that demand a strategic system to push business growth.

Many master's programs in marketing offer an international outlook on marketing trends. This exposure to global marketing practices can prepare you for careers in international marketing agencies, multinational corporations, or companies that target diverse markets. With an M.A. in marketing, you gain the skills to guide and succeed in the global business.

Pursuing a master's degree improves professional credibility and shows a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. An M.A. in marketing can greatly build career prospects and open doors to higher-level positions, such as advertising, promotions, and marketing managers.

While the median annual wage for marketing managers is $135,030, advertising & promotions managers tend to make slightly less, with an average salary of $127,150.

Employers often view candidates with advanced degrees as knowledgeable, highly motivated, and dedicated people willing to invest in their career development. This can offer a competitive edge for you in job applications and promotions.

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources

A bachelor's degree in human resources teaches the practices and principles of operating and creating an organization's workforce.

You learn all the essential skills to recruit, train, and retain employees and evaluate job positions, labor relations, and organizational development. In this role, you will analyze and develop compensation and benefits programs and conduct salary surveys.

Building a successful career in HR requires:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective communication
• Problem-solving abilities
• A solid understanding of business objectives

You can create a rewarding and impactful career by combining your HR degree with these personal qualities and ongoing professional development.

And as you gain experience and advance, a bachelor's degree in human resources will open pathways to management positions like HR manager or HR director.

These roles involve overseeing the entire HR function within an organization, leading HR initiatives, developing HR strategies aligned with organizational goals, and managing a team of HR professionals. The average median annual salary for human resources managers is $126,230, or $60.69 per hour.

On average, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 16,300 openings for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers between 2021 and 2031.

Continuing your education, such as pursuing a master's in human resources or obtaining relevant certifications like the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) designation, can expand your career prospects and show a commitment to professional growth.

Get Started on Your Career in Business Today

The Campus online associate degree in business administration program provides you with a foundational understanding of various business principles and management practices. Our curriculum covers a range of fundamental business topics where you are also exposed to core subjects such as accounting, marketing, economics, business law, finance, and management principles.

The coursework provides you with a well-rounded understanding of business functions and prepares you for entry-level roles. You learn about the role of managers, effective leadership styles, team dynamics, decision-making processes, and organizational behavior. The curriculum may also cover project management, business communication, and strategic planning.

We equip you with practical skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and fundamental financial analysis that can be directly applied in the workplace. And in our online program, the classes are live, so you can engage directly with professors and fellow students.

So, what can I do with an associate degree in business administration to kickstart my career journey? Let's take the first step together. To request more information, check us out via the link below and learn more about the exciting journey that is earning an online associate degree in business!