Transitioning to a career in business may require you to go back to school to earn a business degree. But the good news is that if you already hold a bachelor's degree in another subject, combining that with a business degree could lead you to a satisfying career with higher pay. If you're thinking of going to business school, it's important to understand what some of your career options are.
Business and Liberal Arts Can Mix
Many liberal arts grads chose their degree to become well-rounded, as well as because the subject matter truly interested them. But although many employers are looking for the type of well-rounded graduates who often come out of liberal arts programs, becoming more specialized may boost your chances of landing your dream job.
If you thought all you could do with a history degree was teach, think again. A degree in history combined with an MBA may put you on track to running a museum or historical research institution. If you majored in a foreign language, an international MBA may help you find a job working for an international firm in the U.S. or in another country.
Corporate Writing and Communications
Good writing and communication skills are viewed as a strong asset in any business. English and communications majors who also hold a business degree may be well-equipped to head up publications or communications departments in the corporate world. Having business knowledge can help you manage budgets, direct the publishing process, and do strategic planning. Public relations and research and development departments also need people with good writing and communications skills.
English, communications, and journalism majors may want to look at business degrees that focus on media management. The book, magazine, and newspaper publishing industries need people with solid business skills who can take their publications to the next level and help their companies be profitable. Having a business degree also can help you break into a marketing or sales career with a publisher.
MBAs in the Non-profit World
MBAs are usually viewed as highly motivated by profits, so it's unusual to hear about MBA students seeking jobs in the non-profit sector. But nonprofit organizations account for 8% of the U.S. economy and 10% of the workforce, according to the Princeton Review. Many nonprofits are looking for people with management and other business skills to run their organizations.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in social work or sociology, then a non-profit or public administration MBA may prepare you to run a non-profit some day. Political science degree holders, too, may be a good fit, since some non-profit MBA programs explore the relationship between the non-profit sector and the government. Although the pay for jobs in the non-profit world won't be as high as for other MBA careers, some business schools have loan forgiveness programs for MBAs who take non-profit jobs after graduation.
Teachers Needed for Leadership
If you have a teaching degree but are ready to head out of the classroom, perhaps it's time to move into an administrative education position. A business program can help you gain skills to do administrative work in your local school district, as well as equip you to move to a higher education setting. A business degree that focuses on finance or accounting may help start a career as an accountant or financial aid officer at a university.
Teachers with business skills can also look for work as corporate trainers. Many companies offer training courses and seminars to employees and need people who are good at teaching new concepts to others. As a corporate trainer you may be called upon to teach business concepts that are unique to your company's industry, as well as more general business topics.
Engineers Should Apply
Having an engineering and business degree will prepare you for a management career in highly technical environments. The combination of engineering, math, science, and business courses may give you the specialized skills needed to work as a project control specialist, procurement manager, information systems analyst, or financial analyst at an engineering firm.
This article just gives a sampling of some of the business careers you may want to consider if you already hold a bachelor's degree. Going back to school to earn a business degree at the bachelor's or master's level requires a commitment of time and money. Make sure you have clear and focused goals when looking for ways to combine your existing education with a business degree to launch your new career.