What can you do with a business degree? A business degree is one of the most versatile degrees you can earn. It prepares students for various careers in the business world, from sales representatives to marketing managers.
A business degree encompasses various topics that help students manage people, money, and information. If you’re considering taking business at university and are yet to choose your a-levels, check out our a-level requirements for a business guide before this!
Here are some common career paths you can take with a business degree.
Sales Representative
A sales representative sells products or services to customers. They may work in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, technology, or automotive. Sales representatives must build relationships with their clients and understand their needs to sell them the right product or service.
Sales representatives have the following responsibilities:
- Visit potential and current customers to sell products or services
- Understand customer needs to recommend the best product or service
- Develop proposals for potential clients
- Negotiate contracts with customers
- Handle complaints and returns
- Organise and attend trade shows
Sales representatives must be good communicators and have strong negotiating skills. They need to know how to work independently, as they often work alone when visiting clients. So what can you do with a business degree? This might be the perfect career for you if you like to help people find solutions using the product you sell.
Account Manager
An account manager maintains customer relationships. They work with clients to ensure they are happy with the products or services. Customer satisfaction is a priority for account managers. They work with sales representatives to ensure that they meet their sales targets.
The responsibilities of an account manager vary depending on the company they work for, but often include:
- Maintain customer relationships
- Coordinate with sales representatives
- Help customers resolve complaints
- Update customers on new products or services
- Introduce new products or services to customers
- Keep client records to track where they are in the sales funnel
An account manager needs to have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Building and maintaining relationships with clients is essential. Do you enjoy relationship-focused careers? You may want to be an account manager!
Sales Manager
A sales manager oversees and directs the sales team of a company. They work with the team to ensure they meet their sales targets and provide good customer service. Sales managers also work with clients to develop new business opportunities.
Here are the typical responsibilities of a sales manager:
- Direct the sales team to meet their target
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure the smooth operation of sales
- Build business strategies to increase the company’s presence
- Help customers resolve complaints
- Provide training and support to the sales team
- Develop proposals for potential clients
What can you do with a business degree? You will make an excellent sales manager if you’re strong with communication, leadership, and team-building!
Arbitrator
Arbitrators resolve disputes between two or more parties. They work with both parties to reach an acceptable resolution to all involved. Businesses often choose arbitration over litigation when settling business issues. Why? Because the process is simpler and faster.
The responsibilities of an arbitrator vary depending on the case they are handling but often include:
- Hand out notice of arbitration stating expectations for the stakeholders
- Define clear lines of what the dispute is all about and what it’s not about
- Gathering and evaluating evidence
- Hear arguments from both sides
- Summarise and document the position of either side
- Apply and interpret relevant laws, rules, and regulations
- Make a decision that is fair and impartial
Arbitrators must be able to remain impartial while resolving disputes. They must also be able to make decisions quickly and efficiently. So if you’re interested in helping people resolve their conflicts, why not become an arbitrator?
Marketing Manager
A marketing manager directs the marketing operations of a company. They work with the team to ensure that they create compelling campaigns that reach the target audience and provide good customer service. A marketing manager might also work with clients to develop new business opportunities.
Here are the expected responsibilities of a marketing manager:
- Lead and direct the team to create effective campaigns
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure smooth operations
- Resolve customer complaints and improve customer service
- Create sales proposals for potential customers
- Develop business strategies to increase the company’s presence
- Track current marketing campaigns to figure out how to optimise them
What can you do with a business degree? Why not become a market manager if you’re great with marketing, customer service, and operations?
Business Analyst
A business analyst gathers and analyses information about the business to help make better decisions. They might work with clients to understand their needs or with the team to analyse what is and isn’t working with current campaigns. Business analysts must understand complex data and present it in an easy way to understand.
Editors Note: Business Analyst roles are highly competitive so it’s worth attending the best UK university for business that you can. It’ll give you a leg-up compared to other candidates and will prep you well for the career ahead of you.
The responsibilities of a business analyst will vary depending on what project they are working on, but often include:
- Work with clients to understand their needs
- Analyse data related to the client’s business to recommend improvements
- Investigate business structures and identify what the goals are
- Design systems that would improve the efficiency of business processes
- Provide support to the team when projects are in progress
- Organise workshops and training sessions to optimise performance
Do you love working with numbers? If your core skills include problem-solving, communication, and leadership, you will make a fantastic business analyst!
Project Manager
A project manager directs the work of a team to ensure that they are completing the project on time, within budget, and to the client’s specifications. They work with clients to understand their needs and then create a plan of action to meet those needs. Project managers may have to manage multiple tasks at once and stay organised.
Here are some of the most common responsibilities of a project manager:
- Develop project plans and timelines
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure smooth operations
- Ensure that all team members are aware of their responsibilities
- Manage budget and track expenses
- Monitor project progress and quality
- Report on project status to stakeholders
If you’re organised and enjoy working as part of a team and overseeing multiple projects simultaneously, project management will suit you!
Supply Chain Manager
A supply chain manager oversees and directs the flow of goods and services from the supplier to the customer. They work with suppliers to ensure that they have the necessary resources to meet customer demand and understand their needs. Supply chain managers must manage multiple tasks at once and stay organised.
Here are some of the most common responsibilities of a supply chain manager:
- Develop and implement procedures for the efficient movement and storage of goods
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure smooth operations
- Ensure that all team members are aware of their responsibilities
- Manage budget and track expenses
- Monitor stock levels and make necessary orders
- Plan and execute production schedules
What can you do with a business degree? If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy problem-solving and like to stay organised, supply chain management could be perfect for you!
Stockbroker
A stockbroker is a professional who buys and sells stocks and other securities on behalf of their clients. They work with clients to understand their investment goals and then recommend specific stocks or securities to help them reach those goals.
Here are some of the most common responsibilities of a stockbroker:
- Work with clients to understand their investment goals
- Recommend specific stocks or securities that will help clients reach their goals
- Monitor stock prices and market trends
- Place orders on behalf of clients
- Provide advice on when to buy or sell stocks
- Stay up to date on financial news and regulations
Stockbrokers need to have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, move on their initiative, and negotiate with clients. Do you have what it takes? Try becoming a stockbroker!
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is someone who starts a business to make a profit. They come up with business ideas, set up the company, and manage the day-to-day operations. Entrepreneurs are risk-takers who are not afraid to take chances and are motivated by the challenge of starting a new business.
Here are some of the most common responsibilities of an entrepreneur:
- Come up with business ideas
- Set up and manage the day-to-day operations of their business
- Manage employees and make decisions to ensure profitability
- Handle marketing, advertising, accounting, budgeting and more!
- Stay on top of industry trends and what is going on in the market.
Entrepreneurs must have a passion for business and be motivated by what they do. They must also have strong leadership skills, creativity, and social networking abilities. Would you like to start your own company? Then you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur!
Wrapping Up
What can you do with a business degree? Do you enjoy managing projects? You’d be an excellent project manager! On the other hand, if you’re better at handling sales teams and ensuring they hit their targets, perhaps a sales manager position will suit you better.
Whether you’re entrepreneurial, enjoy numbers, or are an excellent problem solver-a business degree will help give you what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. So what are your top three career choices? We at Immerse Education wish you the best of luck!
