What can you do with a Business Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Business Management graduates 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 1474 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Business Management graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 24% 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 Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Business Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 79%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Westfield State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Business Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Platoon Leader
10th Mountain Division, United States Army
Oct 2018 - Sep 2020
As a Platoon Leader, this position requires strong management skills, strategic planning, and organizational abilities which align closely with the skills taught in a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Company Executive Officer
10th Mountain Division, United States Army
Oct 2020 - Jun 2022
Serving as a Company Executive Officer involves leadership, decision-making, and resource management, directly utilizing the business management principles from the degree.

Instructor
Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade
Mar 2022 - Present
While being an Instructor at the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade may involve leadership and organizational skills, it primarily focuses on military training and tactics, which is not directly related to business management knowledge.

ABOUT

As a Ranger Instructor for the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, I train and mentor the future leaders of the U.S. Army in one of the most challenging and demanding courses in the military. I apply my knowledge of team building, management, and planning to conduct instructor-led training, develop adaptable leaders, and create effective and engaging learning experiences for the students in a high-stress environment. I have over two years of experience in this role, and I previously served as an infantry officer at the 10th Mountain Division. My experiences have given me skills in streamlining processes and managing training and supply chains for multi-functional teams across a wide range of environments. I am passionate about developing the potential of others, and I strive to improve my organization by lifting others up.

What jobs can you get with a Business Management degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the career paths of individuals who have graduated with a degree in Business Management, a few common themes and trends emerge. Many of these graduates found themselves in roles that align well with the skills and knowledge they acquired during their studies, particularly in areas like management, operations, project coordination, and human resources. It's evident that while a significant number of these positions are relevant to business management, a substantial portion also diverges into fields where the connection to their degree might not be immediately apparent.

Common job titles among business management graduates include Project Manager, Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, and Account Manager. These roles typically leverage core business management skills such as strategic planning, team leadership, financial oversight, and client relationship management. For example, positions like Director of Operations, Business Development Manager, and HR Manager heavily rely on the expertise gained from the Business Management curriculum, which prepares graduates to handle complex organizational challenges effectively. Furthermore, many graduates who take on roles as entrepreneurs or small business owners utilize their degree comprehensively, applying principles of management, finance, and strategic planning in day-to-day operations.

However, there is also a notable percentage of individuals who end up in positions that do not directly utilize their business management education. Roles such as Sales Associate, Customer Service Representative, and even positions in technical fields like IT or engineering often focus more on specialized skills rather than the managerial aspects that a business degree emphasizes. Furthermore, many graduates find themselves in industries where their roles may focus more on operational tasks rather than strategic business management practices.

Overall, while many business management degree holders successfully transition into roles that are relevant to their educational background, there is considerable variability. Some graduates effectively utilize their skills in traditional business roles directly related to management principles, while others may not make as full use of their education. This divergence highlights the multifaceted nature of business management as a field, providing graduates with both direct and indirect career pathways.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Business Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Business Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

After analyzing the career paths of various graduates with degrees in Business Management, it's clear that there are a mixture of trajectories among them. Many of these graduates have taken on jobs that are closely aligned with their education, while others have explored diverse fields that may not directly relate to their degree. When looking at the initial job positions right out of college, it seems that many graduates tend to start off in roles such as project coordinators, management trainees, and various customer service-related positions. These roles are typically entry-level and serve as a jumping-off point into more specialized or managerial positions down the line.

Five to ten years after graduation, the graduates display a broader range of responsibilities and titles, including positions such as senior managers, directors, and account managers. Some individuals have successfully advanced in their organizations, taking on strategic roles and leading teams or departments. Others, however, appear to have had more tumultuous career paths, with frequent job changes, shifts into unrelated fields, or roles that are still at a similar level to their first position. This diversity illustrates that while a degree in Business Management can open doors to a variety of career opportunities, not everyone finds their niche in a field directly related to their education.

Overall, the takeaway seems to be positive for many business management graduates, as a significant number have carved out successful careers in relevant roles. However, it's also honest to note that some individuals may experience challenges in translating their education into direct career applications, leading to a mix of success and struggles in the job market. In summary, this body of graduates reflects a broad spectrum of career successes and challenges, showing that while a business degree is valuable, real-world application can vary greatly from one individual to another.

How hard is a Business Management degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Business Management is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but that doesn’t mean it's a walk in the park! You’ll find the coursework to be pretty manageable, as a lot of it involves case studies, group projects, and real-world applications that can be easier to digest than heavy theoretical material. However, you’ll definitely still need to stay organized and keep up with assignments, especially if you want to do well. Overall, if you’re motivated and interested in the subject, you might find it more engaging than challenging!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Business Management.

Do Business Management graduates tend to make good money?

Okay, so looking through all these LinkedIn profiles, it seems like most of these business grads are working in their fields and moving up the career ladder quite nicely. Some of them snagged pretty decent titles early on, like managers, directors, and in some cases, even VPs, which usually comes with a nice paycheck. For instance, people who have climbed the management ranks at companies like Walmart and Amazon likely have salaries in the six-figure range, especially at higher levels.
On the flip side, you have some who are still in entry-level or service roles, or have taken longer paths to more senior positions. Not all of them are cashing in big time, especially those in more humble roles like customer service or retail management. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag, with quite a few probably doing well financially, while others might still be working their way up.

What buzzwords do Business Management graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Business Management?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Business Management (ordered by the average relevance score of their Business Management graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Western Governors University 75 62
Grand Canyon University 69 10
University of Phoenix 67 169
University of South Florida 63 13
Indiana Wesleyan University 63 15