What is business administration? A complete guide
What do you get if you combine excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, strong time management and organizational skills? The answer: a business administrator. Yes, that is right. While business administrators may not get the credit they deserve, it is a role that provides office support to businesses up and down the country and, few could argue against, is a vital role for the smooth running of any business.
Before we start, it is important to establish what business administration actually is. Have you ever wondered where most of the world’s business executives and CEOs start out? Believe it or not, the chances are it was probably in business administration. While the term ‘business administrator’ covers a variety of roles, a simple way of describing it is the management of an organization’s resources, time and people. Business administrators are tasked with ensuring that businesses and organizations are run effectively, efficiently and profitably. Unsurprisingly, this is a balancing act that requires knowledge and skills in a range of disciplines. So, here is a complete guide on the importance of business administration.
Why study business administration?
A career in business administration can open many doors for future employment. The people who often thrive in this position are highly organized, have strong interpersonal skills and have an active interest in all areas of business. So, whether you want to remain at an assistant level or pursue higher-paid roles, or you are someone who enjoys keeping busy and having a say in business decision-making, business administration could be the perfect job for you.
Taking a good business administration program will help you prepare for the demands of today’s fast-paced business environments. Business administration programs expose you to a vast array of business knowledge, management and administration skills, including practical tools that will assist you in addressing situations that arise within a business-related career.
A good business administration program will focus on the professional skills required by today’s employers, including knowledge of how businesses utilize technology, e-commerce, communication, office procedures, project management, and employment success strategies.
Do you need a degree to work in business administration?
Usually, to break into a role in business administration, you will not need to have a degree (unless it becomes mandatory with the organization or the kind of business administration you are applying for). However, to ensure you hold an advantage over other interviewees when going for a job, it is best to have a professional qualification in the field along with any prior work experience. The right qualifications can give you the skills and confidence to get a head start in your career, so you can start approaching employers for your dream role.
At Academy of Learning Career College, we offer a Business Administration program, which will allow you the chance to gain a foothold in business administration and take your career in any direction you choose.
What are the specific roles in business administration?
No matter what field you are looking to go into, if you have a strong, relevant skillset paired with great experience, you can be an asset to almost any type of organization. So, whether you prefer talking to people face to face, crunching numbers or solving problems, the likelihood is there is a job for you in business administration.
For example, if you are a personable individual, you might be interested in pursuing human resources. If you thrive off competition and a fast-paced working environment, a sales role might be a good fit for you. If you love solving challenging problems and coming up with strategies, you might be interested in becoming a business analyst or consultant. If you are a math genius, you might explore possible paths in accounting or data analytics.
The roles of business administrators will vary depending on the specifics of the organization they work for. Still, fundamentally, they oversee the day-to-day administrative functions around the workplace. Roles can include:
- Administering, directing and coordinating day-to-day business operations
- Implementing efficient work processes, schedules and procedures
- Conducting research
- Preparing progress reports and other reports and analyses
- Assigning and reviewing the work of clerks and administrative assistants
- Integrating and managing database information for dissemination to staff and clients
- Composing and providing information by telephone, postal mail and e-mail
- Training staff in job duties and company policies
- Operating and troubleshooting new office technologies
- Supervising and evaluating departmental administrative staff providing information as required by law relating to ongoing business transactions.
What are the prospects of roles in business administration?
Because business administrators can find work across most industries, it can be a flexible career path that allows people to explore their potential, new interests and even assist in creating strategies for business growth, leading to senior positions and exciting salary packages. In fact, it is possible to work your way up to executive roles, upper management roles and even aim for the CEO role one day. You would be surprised how many of the responsibilities of a CEO are similar to that of a business administrator.
Whether you are looking to step up to a leadership role, make a complete career change or you are dreaming of one day starting your own business, a business administration diploma from Academy of Learning is a versatile and flexible choice that will serve you well in today’s job market.
Academy of Learning has long been regarded as one of the world’s top training facilities. An Academy of Learning qualification provides the competitive edge employers seek. Graduates of an Academy of Learning business administration program are prepared for various entry-level administrative and management trainee positions in a broad range of employment settings. Careers in accounting and finance, marketing, production, operations, human resources, and general administration are available to graduates who demonstrate the required combination of business skills, aptitude, motivation and personal ability.
If business administration sounds like the path for you, book an appointment with us or request more information about our opportunities.