The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that career opportunities in business are among the fastest-growing jobs. The majority of these job opportunities are for management occupations, and most roles that professionals with a business degree fill are financial managers, management analysts, accountants and auditors.
A degree with a focus on business and economics prepares graduates for a wide variety of career choices in banking, finance, insurance, marketing, human resources, information technology, sales and telecommunications. Business administration addresses business-related matters and economics, economic growth, consumer and business decision-making, and the money and banking aspects of business. Combined, knowledge in these areas provides a valuable and well-rounded foundation for launching a successful business career.
The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Specialization in Economics program offered by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is specifically geared toward individuals who want business administration knowledge, economic insight and foundational skills in public speaking, marketing, group management and technical proficiency.
A Look at Career Opportunities in Business Economics
The diversity of specialized career paths that a BSBA in Economics degree opens include human resource coordinator, operations associate, accountant, research associate, financial planner, account executive, research analyst, sales consultant, pricing analyst, data analyst, operations analyst, business analyst, economic consultant, investment banker, investment analyst and data scientist. Employers looking to hire professionals with a BSBA in Economics range across industries, including finance and banking, government agencies, research institutions, education and multinational corporations.
An investment analyst is “a finance professional who helps individual clients and companies make profitable investments.” Analyzing financial data, helping clients build profitable investment portfolios and recommending securities for clients to invest in are the main goals of an investment analyst. The average salary for an investment analyst in the U.S. is $71,455 per year. This fluctuates based on location, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this job market is growing.
A market research analyst helps businesses determine consumer needs in relation to products or services. They also review market data to identify trends and use research and statistical software to make recommendations. The average salary for a market research analyst is $59,978 per year.
A client service associate or customer retention associate helps customers with questions or concerns about products or services. They communicate with customers in person, over the phone or via email. This liaison helps handle complaints and engages with customers. Interacting with the sales team, the customer services associate determines the best methods for revenue retention and customer loyalty. Those with a business degree typically earn much more than entry-level customer service associates, as their average salary is $39,310 a year but varies based on experience and location.
A securities broker, or stockbroker, is a financial professional who executes market orders on a client’s behalf. Also referred to as a registered representative or an investment advisor, most brokers work for a brokerage firm and handle transactions for multiple individual and institutional customers. Generically referred to as stockbrokers, their titles might include full-service and discount brokers. This position requires access to one of the major exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ and also requires licensing by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The salary for this position ranges between $40,900 and $189,620 (or more).
Portfolio managers are financial professionals who “work for wealth management firms, pension funds, foundations, insurance companies, banks, hedge funds and other organizations in the security industry.” This job requires daily management of investment portfolios on behalf of individual or institutional investors. Interacting with clients and analysts, the portfolio manager conducts research, communicates with industry contacts and presents recommendations to management and clients. The junior portfolio manager earns an average of about $101,090 per year in the U.S.
Excel in the Business World With an Economics BSBA
To learn the economic principles required for effective business forecasting, planning and budgeting, the BSBA with a Specialization in Economics online program from SIUE provides the foundation needed. This fully online program prepares graduates to conduct data analysis, apply foundational knowledge in microeconomics and macroeconomics, utilize tools to predict the effects of government interventions and regulations on the markets, and examine growth and unemployment and other factors that affect inflation.
Learn more about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Specialization in Economics program.
