Just as business is a multidimensional discipline in practice, a variety of degree programs focus on the big and small picture of the field. To some students, a broad business administration program can be the right step in pursuing their goals, while others would rather gain an education more tailored to their specific desired career paths. Find out how a business program, such as those offered by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, can hone students’ skills and if you’d prefer to take a more holistic approach or pursue a specialized program, such as finance.
The benefits of a finance degree
A finance program can be the right choice for those who want to hone their skills in this concentrated subject. The major benefit of a bachelor’s degree in finance is its focused path of study. When students pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance, they can gain comprehensive expertise in this field. While they may be required to take some core business courses, a majority of their requirements focus on financial operations in business.
While many degrees favor students who want to become a jack of all trades, a finance program suits those who know they want to pursue a career in finance. Because this path of study is concentrated, students can become more efficient at highly specialized tools and strategies, making them assets for careers in finance. While this degree provides a somewhat targeted type of education, with an emphasis on the financial aspect of business rather than the entrepreneurial, marketing, or management side, a finance degree requires a broad range of courses and can result in a variety of careers.
Career opportunities with a finance degree
When deciding between different types of degrees, prospective students should look into jobs that align with required courses and specializations. Graduates can seek a variety of finance degree career options after earning a bachelor’s. Here are the most popular jobs in this field, according to The Balance Careers:
- Financial planner
- Financial analyst
- Investor relations associate
- Budget analyst
- Actuary
- Accountant
- Credit analyst
- Attorney
- Commercial real estate agent
- Business teacher
Finance students who are not sure which path they’d like to pursue might look toward various factors in making their decision. They might consider a job’s salary potential, which typically varies based on the job title and industry. Or they might ponder each career’s day-to-day responsibilities to see which one is most aligned with their interests and goals. Maybe they might think about the demand for certain careers. For instance, the demand for personal financial advisors is expected to rise much faster than average, at a rate of 15% between 2016 and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, presenting ample opportunities for employment in this field in the next few years.
The benefits of a business administration degree
Bachelor’s programs in business administration can be the right choice for prospective students who want to hone their skills in a larger variety of disciplines. Here are two major benefits of programs in business administration:
Broad path of study
Unlike a degree in finance, which is a more focused subset of business, a degree in business administration provides a holistic study of the corporate and commerce path. For instance, a business administration degree typically offers a broad range of courses to educate students on all aspects of the business. Business administration students may need to take courses in human resource management, marketing, leadership, financial and managerial accounting, finance, operations management, and economics, among others, according to The Balance.
Range of employment opportunities
Because many business administration programs require students to take courses in a variety of subjects, they allow for a range of career options. While a more specialized business degree can take students on the path toward a certain profession, an all-encompassing program can lead to careers in multiple industries, with a selection of responsibilities.
Business administration career potential
What can you do with a business administration degree? Just as this type of program offers courses in several subjects, a degree in this concentration allows for a broad range of career opportunities. Here are some popular options to pursue after earning a bachelor’s in this field, as per The Balance Careers:
- Business administration assistant
- Business manager
- Business services coordinator
- Compensation manager
- Executive assistant
- Marketing assistant
- Operations business analyst
- Procurement specialist
- Project manager
- Sales representative
This wide range of careers appeals to individuals who are interested in all areas of business administration, from the execution of the sales cycle to the internal operations of a company. By taking the variety of courses required for this major, students can decide which areas they find the most interesting to pursue long term.
Take an analytical approach to finance at UAB
If you’ve weighed the options and decided to take on a more direct approach to financial analysis, you might consider finance degree options. When you pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business, you have the opportunity to take a range of courses that can hone your analytical skills. In this 100% online program, you can improve your problem-solving strategies in financial research methods, equity portfolio management, and financial management. You can even gain hands-on experience through the program’s Strategic Management Capstone project. UAB’s robust curriculum can provide you with the tools you need to thrive in the modern financial landscape. To find out more about UAB’s Bachelor of Science in Finance program, connect with an enrollment advisor.
Recommended Reading:
What employment opportunities can you find with a Bachelor of Science in Finance?
What you may learn in UAB’s online BS in Finance program
Sources:
Online Bachelor of Science in Finance
Best Jobs for Graduates with a Finance Degree by The Balance Careers
Business Administration Major Career Paths by The Balance Careers
Business Majors: The Basics by CollegeBoard
Personal Financial Advisors by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics