SUNY Oswego - Career Services
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- Major And Career Exploration
- Resumes and Cover Letters
- Networking, Personal Branding and LinkedIn
- Job and Internship Searching
- Graduate School
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- Compensation Negotiation
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What can I do with a major in business administration?
SUNY Oswego - Career Services
- Career Communities
- Major And Career Exploration
- Resumes and Cover Letters
- Networking, Personal Branding and LinkedIn
- Job and Internship Searching
- Graduate School
- Online Career Tools
- Affinity Group Resources
- Compensation Negotiation
- Events
- Graduate Outcomes
- Information for
- Resource Center
- Connect with us
View videos of professionals describing a day on the job
Senior VP of Human Performance, Comcast
Park Ranger Manager, DC Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Join a student organization today
Beta Gamma Sigma - Honor Society Phi Beta Lambda Supply Chain Operations Management (SCOPE) Women in BusinessGet involved in a professional organization
American Management Association United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Business Network International National Business AssociationSearch for opportunities
Companies:
Walt Disney World
Geico
Welch Allyn
Titles:
Entrepreneur
Branch Manager
Management Trainee
Explore the numerous career fields related to your major
Areas
Areas and job titles will vary by industry.
Here's some examples:
Credit Counselor |
Loan Officer |
Personal Financial Advisor |
Financial Services Sales Agent |
Meeting, Convention and Event Planners |
Business Administration vs. Business Management: What’s the Difference? |
Employers
Business and industry including:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Service providers
- Healthcare organizations
- Manufacturers
- Industrial organizations
Local, state, and federal government
Nonprofit organizations
Self-employed
Sample occupations
Prepare to start in entry-level management trainee positions. Demonstrate initiative and leadership to get promoted.
Gain experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
Work at a retail store or restaurant; advance into an assistant manager position.
Get involved in student organizations and assume leadership roles.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong work ethic, integrity, and a sense of independence.
Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.
Learn to work well on a team and develop strong communication skills.
Areas
Credit Counselor |
Financial Services Sales Agent |
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents |
Advertising Sales Agent |
Business Administration vs. Business Management: What’s the Difference? |
Employers
For-profit and nonprofit organizations
Product and service organizations
Manufacturers
Financial companies
Insurance companies
Print and electronic media outlets
Software and technology companies
Internet companies
Sample occupations
Obtain experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
Seek leadership positions in campus organizations.
Work for the campus newspaper, directory, or radio station selling advertisements.
Become highly motivated and well-organized.
Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. To deliver effective customer service, develop problem solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy.
Learn to work well under pressure and to be comfortable in a competitive environment.
Prepare to work independently and to be self-motivated. Plan to work irregular and/or long hours.
Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Take additional courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
Develop strong persuasion skills and learn how to build relationships.
Some positions in sales, such as pharmaceuticals, require at least one to two years of a proven record in outside sales. Be prepared to start in a different industry before getting a job in pharmaceuticals.
Areas
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners and Investigators |
Financial Services Sales Agent |
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents |
Insurance Sales Agents |
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks |
Employers
Insurance firms
Banks
Sample occupations
Complete an internship with an insurance agency.
Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many entry-level positions exist in these areas.
Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker.
Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
Areas
Credit Counselor |
Loan Officer |
Financial Services Sales Agent |
Financial Managers |
17 Career Paths in Banking (Plus Tips for Choosing) |
Employers
Banks
Credit unions
Savings and loan associations
Financial services institutions
Federal Reserve banks
Sample occupations
Develop a solid background in business including marketing and accounting.
Get experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in a bank.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
Areas
Financial Services Sales Agent |
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents |
Advertising Sales Agent |
Real Estate Broker vs. Salesperson: Which Career Is Right for You? |
Learn About Being a Real Estate Agent |
Employers
Real estate brokers
Banks
Appraisal firms
Apartment and condominium complexes
Developers
Large corporations: real estate departments
Sample occupations
Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions.
Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors.
Develop an entrepreneurial spirit.
Investigate apprenticeships in appraisal.
Areas
Human Resources Specialist |
Business Administration vs. Human Resources: What's the Difference? |
Training and Development Specialist |
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
Equal Employment Opportunity
Employment Law
Consulting
Employers
Large corporate entities
Service industry
Hospitals and healthcare organizations
Universities
Temporary or staffing agencies
Executive search firms
Local, state, and federal government
Labor unions
Sample occupations
Take courses in the social sciences such as psychology and sociology.
Gain relevant experience through internships.
Develop strong verbal and written communication skills. Learn to solve problems creatively, and gain experience with conflict resolution.
Build a solid background in technology because many human resource systems are automated.
Join the Society of Human Resource Management and other related professional associations.
Be prepared for continuous learning once in the profession.
Seek endorsements such as the Professional Human Resource Certification (PHR).
Earn a master’s degree for career advancement or a law degree for employment law.
General information and strategies
- General business is a broad area that can lead to many career opportunities.
- Students should clearly define their goals and seek experiences and skills necessary to reach those goals.
- Learn about various fields of business through research on internet sites and books, informational interviews of professionals, and exposure to work environments through shadowing, volunteering, or interning.
- Develop interpersonal and organizational skills through participation in and leadership of student organizations.
- Strong communication skills, including public speaking, are also important to achieving success in this field.
- Learn to work effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well in a team environment.
- Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find an experienced mentor.
- Consider earning an MBA or other related graduate degree after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of business management.
- Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.