21 Apr 2023
Five Careers You Can Explore With Business Administration Courses
Interested in business administration courses but not sure where they can take you? Business administration can open up a world of opportunities across a variety of Australian industries. In this blog, we’re exploring five different career pathways that you can pursue with business administration courses.
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What are business administration courses?
Business administration courses teach the fundamental principles and concepts of how to manage a business effectively. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including finance, marketing, operations, human resources, accounting, and more. They also provide a broad understanding of business and teach you the skills you need to succeed in a corporate career.
Business administration courses are typically offered at the certificate, diploma, and degree levels. Certificate courses — like Certificate III in Business Administration or Certificate IV in Business Administration — are usually self-paced, short courses that cover the basics of business administration. This includes learning how to:
- Organise schedules
- Write simple documents
- Deliver great customer service
- Process customer complaints
- Contribute to team effectiveness
- Process payroll and accounts
- Use spreadsheets
- Design and provide presentations and business documents
Diploma courses are longer and provide a more in-depth understanding of the principles of business administration. In these courses, you’ll learn more about different specialisations in business. The Diploma of Business Administration teaches theoretical knowledge combined with technical and administrative skills within a business or corporate context.
Degree courses, such as a Bachelor of Business Administration or a Master of Business Administration, are the most advanced courses available. In these courses, you develop your expertise in leadership, business management, innovation, and communication. You also develop your strategic thinking and apply these skills to real-life business contexts.
Why study business administration courses?
Business administration courses are an excellent way to develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in the business world. The skills obtained from managing finances, operations, and people relate to many different roles, and that’s why they’re sought after by potential employers.
One of the main benefits of studying business administration is the wide range of career opportunities available after graduation. Graduates can pursue careers in finance, marketing, human resource management, operations management, and many other study areas. You can also work in various industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, technology, and more.
Business administration courses equip students with transferrable skills that are highly valued by employers across all industries in Australia. These include leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
Choosing the best business administration course depends on your career goals and level of experience. It also depends on the study options you’re looking for, for example, on-campus or online learning. For those new to the industry, a certificate course is a good option. While those with experience can opt for diploma or degree courses to upskill.
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Business administration career pathways
Business administration exposes you to lots of different areas in business including human resources, marketing, finance, and business operations. This means you can explore many different career pathways, which is great if you’re not sure what you want to do.
Here are five different career pathways you can work towards with a background in business administration.
Human Resources
The human resources department is responsible for managing a company’s most valuable asset: its people. They recruit, hire, train, and develop employees, as well as ensure the company is compliant with labour laws and regulations. You can easily transition into a career in human resources with a business administration background. This is because you learn the necessary skills to manage people and handle administrative tasks.
Effective communication is one of the most important skills needed in human resources. As a business administration graduate, you would have developed excellent communication skills through your studies. You would also have learned how to create and implement policies and procedures, manage confidential information, and handle conflicts. These skills are transferable to human resources, making it an ideal career pathway for those with a business administration background.
Start by looking for entry-level roles such as HR assistant or recruiter to start a career in HR. As you gain more experience and knowledge, you can progress to roles such as HR manager or training and development manager.
Human resources assistant
Average of $60,000 – $70,000
Human resource officer
Average of $70,000 – $80,000
Human resources manager
Average of $110,000 – $130,000
Marketing
Marketing is all about promoting products or services to customers, and it requires creativity, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills. With a business administration background, you know how to analyse market trends, develop marketing strategies, and manage budgets. These are skills that are essential in a marketing career.
Other skills that help you transition into a marketing career include attention to detail, organisation, and problem-solving. These skills can be applied to roles such as marketing coordinator, marketing manager, or social media specialist.
To begin a career in marketing, consider exploring entry-level roles. Examples include marketing assistant and social media coordinator. You can then progress into more senior roles such as marketing manager or brand manager. Some marketing jobs require a bachelor’s degree, but having a background in business administration is a great starting point.
Marketing assistant
Average of $55,000 – $65,000
Marketing coordinator
Average of $65,000 – $80,000
Marketing manager
Average of $100,000 – $120,000
Finance
Finance is all about managing money. It requires strong logical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret financial data. Business administration courses teach you about accounting, budgeting, and financial analysis, creating an ideal foundation for a career in finance.
Skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving are all transferable and can help you transition into finance. These skills are essential in roles such as financial analyst, budget analyst, or financial manager.
Applying for entry-level roles like financial analyst and accounting assistant will get your foot in the door. From there, gaining experience and honing your skills can help you advance in your career. Roles you can advance to include financial manager or financial controller. Many finance roles require a bachelor’s degree, and having a background in business administration is a great starting point.
Financial assistant
Average of $60,000 – $70,000
Financial analyst
Average of $90,000 – $110,000
Financial advisor
Average of $100,000 – $120,000
Operations
Operations is another career pathway that is closely related to business administration. Operations involve managing the day-to-day activities of a business and require a specific skill set. This includes organisational skills, the ability to multitask, and excellent communication skills. Your knowledge in learning how to manage projects, streamline processes, and coordinate resources is valuable when to working in operations.
Transferable skills that will help you transition into an operations career include organisational skills, time management, and problem-solving. These skills are essential in roles such as operations coordinator, operations manager, or project manager.
If you’re interested in working in operations, start with an entry-level role like operations assistant. After that, you can progress into higher-level roles such as operations manager. You don’t need a degree to work in operations however, a business administration certificate or diploma is desirable.
Operations assistant
Average of $60,000 – $70,000
Operations coordinator
Average of $70,000 – $90,000
Operations manager
Average of $100,000 – $120,000
Executive assistance
An executive assistant plays a critical role in supporting high-level executives in an organisation. They manage their schedule, coordinate meetings, arrange travel, and handle administrative tasks. The job requires excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask effectively.
Having a background in business administration is an excellent foundation for becoming an executive assistant. As an executive assistant, you need a strong business background as you must collaborate with other departments to ensure efficient operations.
Business administration courses teach valuable skills. These include communication, time management, and problem-solving. Having these skills is essential for success in this role.
Additionally, the transferrable skills you learn in a business administration course can help you transition into other roles within an organisation. As you progress, you can move into higher-level roles such as a chief of staff or chief operating officer.
Executive assistant
Average of $80,000 – $100,000
Chief of Staff
Average of $105,000 – $125,000
Chief operating officer
Average of $200,000 – $220,000
Business administration teaches you a variety of different knowledge and skills. So, it’s the perfect course if you’re wanting to explore different career paths and keep your options open. Enquire about a course today and start the journey to a career you’re passionate about, today.
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