According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Business continues to be one of the most popular degrees for undergraduate students. In 2019, out of the 2 million degrees conferred upon undergraduate students, 390,564 degrees were in Business. This should come as no surprise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for graduates who hold a business degree is $65,000, $5,000 more than the median annual salary across other degree areas. Despite the Business degree’s popularity, many college students are impatient to begin their careers as soon as possible. For students who don’t want to commit to the four years required of a traditional bachelor’s degree, an associate degree is a wonderful choice. But what can you do with an associate degree in Business Administration?
Read on to learn about potential job opportunities available to those who graduate with an AA in Business Administration.
What is an Associate Degree in Business Administration?
An associate degree in Business Administration is a two-year degree program at the undergraduate level. The degree prepares students to quickly enter the business field by providing them with a strong foundation in economics, accounting, management, and project planning, as well as traditional liberal arts coursework. Graduates of this program are qualified to fill basic management and administrative roles in the private, public, and nonprofit arenas.
Coursework
Students who pursue an AA of Business Administration are required to complete a variety of general education courses, as well as 27 credits of program-specific classes. These classes include, but are not limited to:
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics
- Business Law
- Multicultural Management
The core classes completed in the pursuit of the associate’s degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the business sector, including sales, management, and more.
Associate Degree in Business Administration Careers
So, what can you do with a Business Administration degree at the associate level? As briefly mentioned previously, the AA in Business Administration prepares students for a wide variety of careers in the business world. Here are just a few positions that graduates may consider pursuing.
Administrative Assistant
The title “administrative assistant” can occasionally be interchanged with “secretary,” however, administrative assistants typically work for upper-level management and C-suite executives. They may answer phone calls, schedule meetings and appointments, manage mail and emails, and take notes for their manager. In some cases, they may be asked to complete tasks normally assigned to office managers, such as preparing invoices and ordering supplies for their manager. Administrative assistants must be highly organized and detail-oriented. On average, administrative assistants can earn $16 per hour. However, experienced administrative assistants who assist C-level executives can earn upwards of $60,000 per year.
Sales Manager
For those students who are truly driven to work in the business arena, an associate degree in Business Administration may be a launch point for a career as a sales manager. Sales managers recruit, hire, and train members of a sales staff. They may work in retail, wholesale, or manufacturing sales. They work closely with their employees to set sales goals, determine discount rates, coordinate training for sales staff, prepare budgets, and address customer complaints as they pertain to sales or service. The median annual wage for sales managers in 2020 was $132,290. Compensation for sales managers may be divided between commission and salary or salary plus bonuses.
Human Resource Coordinator
Human resource coordinators work very closely with an HR director or manager to help recruit and onboard new hires for their company or organization. They may support the administrative parts of the new-hire process, including collecting contracts and completing payroll administration. They may also help HR managers by organizing performance reviews, maintaining employee records, or assisting with the termination process. HR coordinators play a vital role in maintaining the efficiency of a large company or organization’s human resources department. The average annual salary for an HR coordinator is upwards of $49,000 per year.
Management Analyst
Management analysts recommend ways to improve a business or organization’s overall efficiency. They may interview staff and conduct observations to help businesses acquire the equipment and personnel they need to be successful. Typically, the work of management analysts is highly project-based and as such can vary from project to project. They may work as a member of a team or as an independent contractor serving clients as needed. The median annual pay for a management analyst is $87,600 per year.
The University of Bridgeport Advantage
While some students may earn an AA while attending community college, earning an associate degree at University of Bridgeport comes with advantages. Students who attend University of Bridgeport can take advantage of the infrastructure that a university can provide, while still pursuing a two-year degree. For example, University of Bridgeport offers students with career planning and strategic internship placement services through the Career Development Center that can provide an unparalleled advantage for students looking to begin their career sooner, rather than later.
Begin your business career with a strong foundation. With an associate degree in Business Administration, you’ll be prepared for a variety of exciting careers with ample opportunity for advancement.
Interested in kick-starting a career in business? Learn more about University of Bridgeport’s School of Business, here!