What can you do with a General Business degree?

First, some facts. Of the General Business 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 69 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, General Business graduates have a lower likelihood (-8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 59%
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 15% 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 General Business graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random General Business graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from California State University, Stanislaus with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in General Business. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Office Manager
Covenant Home Inspection
Sep 2020 - Present
As an Office Manager, the role may involve some relevant business administration skills, such as organization and management practices, but it does not substantially utilize the core qualifications from a BBA in General Business on a daily basis.

ABOUT

Currently office manager for home inspection and repairsHandle daily duties including scheduling, writing reports, coordinating repairs, preparing contracts, and collections.

What jobs can you get with a General Business degree?

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


As we take a closer look at the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in General Business, we can see a fascinating mix of roles that span various industries. A lot of these graduates found themselves in fields such as sales, management, and marketing. Positions like Inside Sales Representative, Management Trainee, and Marketing Executive are common among this demographic, showing a clear inclination towards roles that leverage skills in customer interaction and operational oversight. The prevalence of jobs in these sectors may be attributed to the foundational training offered in Business Administration programs, where students learn vital skills like communication, leadership, and strategic thinking.

However, there's a notable contrast between the relevance of the jobs these individuals held and their General Business education. For instance, while many roles such as Management Trainee or Branch Manager directly align with business principles, others—like Firefighter or Server—diverge significantly from the core curriculum. Many graduates found themselves in positions that use only a fraction of the skills learned in school. For example, while a job in sales can benefit from a business degree, it often focuses more on selling techniques rather than the broader concepts of management and operations that are central to a BBA in General Business. Moreover, many roles like Customer Service Representative and Administrative Assistant are prevalent, yet they often lack the depth of application one might expect from a business-oriented career.

Overall, it appears that while some graduates are thriving in roles that truly benefit from their business education, many others are in positions where their degrees are not fully utilized. This raises questions about the alignment between educational programs and the real-world applications of a General Business degree. As students navigate the transition from academia to the workforce, it's crucial to find roles that not only reflect their studies but also make the most of their acquired skills. In this way, they can better prepare for fulfilling careers that harness their full potential as business professionals.

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

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

When we take a look at the career paths of recent General Business graduates, we see an interesting mix of success stories and some that aren't quite aligned with their degrees. For many graduates, the first job post-graduation often tends to be in entry-level positions that don’t always reflect the potential of their General Business degree. For instance, roles in sales, customer service, and administrative work seem to be common. Graduates from Concordia University Texas ended up transitioning from inside sales to a completely different field as a firefighter/EMT, which shows a significant shift away from business-related careers. That’s not to downplay the importance of those jobs, but there’s a pattern that indicates a lot of graduates might not land roles that fully utilize their education immediately after finishing their degrees.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you can see some clearer trajectories emerging, with quite a few graduates landing more specialized roles within their fields or even moving up to management. A good number of the graduates from Sam Houston State University had several progressive roles at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which illustrates how starting in a well-structured company can lead to substantial career growth over time. But then you also have cases where graduates have bounced around various roles, sometimes straying quite far from their business education—like the graduate from Auburn University at Montgomery who transitioned to owning an embroidery business. That being said, there are also many who have successfully climbed corporate ladders, landing managerial positions at firms like JPMorgan Chase or even taking on directorial roles in operations or project management.

Ultimately, while many General Business graduates do find their way into relevant and promising career paths, there are also a decent number whose journeys take unexpected turns. Some find themselves in unrelated fields or in roles that may not reflect the depth of their academic training. So, it’s a mixed bag; while some graduates experience great professional growth, others may take longer to find their footing or venture into areas outside traditional business roles. It undoubtedly varies by individual and is heavily influenced by personal choices and opportunities that arise after graduation.

How hard is a General Business degree?

A Bachelor degree in General Business is often considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but it still comes with its challenges. You'll cover a variety of topics like marketing, finance, and management, which can be fun and interesting, but the workload can vary quite a bit depending on your classes and professors. If you're someone who's good at staying organized and can handle group projects—because those pop up a lot—you'll likely find it manageable. Just expect to engage in a fair amount of reading and writing, and stay on top of your assignments. Overall, while it might not be as tough as engineering or some sciences, it still requires effort and commitment to do well!

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 General Business.

Do General Business graduates tend to make good money?

When you look at the backgrounds of these General Business graduates, it seems like some have done pretty well for themselves, while others are still working their way up the ladder. For example, the person who graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2012 has steadily climbed the ranks at JPMorgan Chase Bank, which typically offers good pay and benefits. On the other hand, the graduate from Concordia University Texas has been working as a firefighter/EMT since 2013, a job that's noble but often undercompensated. So, while some are likely earning a decent salary, others may be scraping by or still finding their footing in the job market.

It's a mixed bag overall. Jobs in finance, banking, and account management seem to lead to better incomes, especially for those who've been in the game longer. Meanwhile, a lot of the roles are in customer service or entry-level positions in fields that might not pay as well. If you're aiming for financial stability, focusing on gaining experience in higher-paying industries could be key. And remember, career paths can always change—what starts as a low-paying job can blossom into a lucrative career if you keep progressing and maximizing your opportunities!

What buzzwords do General Business 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 General Business. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for General Business?

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

College Score Count