First, some facts. Of the Business Administration graduates from Illinois State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Business Administration graduates from Illinois State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 13% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Business Administration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 49%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBar StaffO'Donovan's Pub & Restaurant May 2018 - Aug 2018 Senior Account Manager The Dagaz Group Jun 2019 - Aug 2019 Contractor McDermott Painting Aug 2018 - Present ABOUTI am a recent graduate from Illinois State University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. I hope to use my degree to obtain a position within an organization with an environment that will allow me to the opportunity to grow and lead. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of Illinois State University graduates with a degree in Business Administration, it really seems like there's a mixed bag of jobs. Many of these graduates have ventured into roles that closely align with business skills, especially in finance, management, and sales. For instance, positions like Financial Representative, Program Manager, and Senior Financial Analyst show a strong connection to the coursework and knowledge gained during their studies. These jobs typically require a solid understanding of business principles, strategic thinking, client management, and operational efficiency, which are all key aspects of a Business Administration degree.
However, not every job these graduates have landed is directly relevant to their field of study. There are quite a few instances where roles, like Contractor, Bar Staff, or even a Military Officer, don’t utilize the core skills from a Business Administration program. These positions often focus more on specific trade skills, manual labor, or are generally unrelated to business principles. Overall, while many graduates successfully find jobs that leverage their Business Administration background, there’s also a notable number who end up in roles that don't utilize those skills as directly. It's a reminder that a degree can lead down various paths, not all of which strictly relate to the field of study.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Business Administration graduates (this is across all Business Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Illinois State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Illinois State University's Business Administration program, it seems like they've gone on to have a mix of experiences. For many of them, their first job right after graduation tends to be more entry-level roles, often in management, sales, or customer service positions. This makes sense, as these jobs help build foundational skills commonly sought after in business. For instance, roles like Management Assistant or Sales and Marketing Intern are often stepping stones into more specialized or higher-level positions. It's a typical start where graduates are learning the ropes and developing their professional networks.
As time goes by—5 years or even 10 years post-graduation—many of these individuals seem to find their footing in more established careers. They often move into roles with larger companies, showing a trend towards positions with more responsibility, like Program Managers, Senior Analysts, or even high-ranking roles like Vice President at notable firms like Goldman Sachs. There are also several entrepreneurial paths, with some graduates starting their own businesses or working as independent contractors. Overall, while some might have taken detours into unrelated field jobs, many have successfully utilized their degree to build careers that align well with their business backgrounds. So, if you're thinking about pursuing business, it looks promising for long-term growth and diverse opportunities!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Illinois State University, or really anywhere, has its ups and downs. Generally, it's considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, especially if you're organized and stay on top of your assignments. You’ll have to deal with some core subjects like accounting, marketing, and management, but it’s mostly about understanding concepts and applying them rather than cramming tons of info. That said, if you genuinely engage with the material and get involved in class discussions or group projects, it can make a big difference in how easy or hard it feels. It’s definitely manageable as long as you put in the effort!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Business Administration.
Looking at the career paths of these Illinois State University Business Administration grads, it seems like a mixed bag in terms of how much money they're making. Some have clearly landed solid jobs at big-name companies like Boeing and Goldman Sachs, which usually means good pay, especially those who moved up the ranks quickly. Others are in more entry-level roles or have jobs that seem to pay less, like working at Trader Joe's or in various insurance claims. There are also a few who have jumped into entrepreneurship, which can be hit or miss financially. Overall, while some are likely doing pretty well, others might still be trying to find their footing in the job market. So, it sounds like they’re on different financial journeys, with some making decent money while others are still working their way up the ladder.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (this is across all Business Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Illinois State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Business Administration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: