Business Administration Career Path

Business Administration Careers

To launch and thrive in the business administration career path — an umbrella term for planning, organizing, leading and analyzing the resources that keep companies running smoothly — professionals first need a rock-solid grasp of ethical decision-making. A sound moral compass guides every other managerial choice, from budgeting to hiring. Equally crucial is a broad yet practical foundation in finance, accounting, marketing, human resource management, information technology and core economic principles. Together, these disciplines form the language of modern commerce and allow administrators to translate big-picture strategy into day-to-day action.

Because business administration is inherently versatile, graduates can pivot into almost any organizational setting or sector. Degree-holders might oversee retail operations, coordinate nonprofit programs, steer corporate marketing campaigns, manage HR compliance, analyze supply-chain data or supervise entire multi-department enterprises. This flexibility means you can start in a narrow specialty and later transition into a generalist leadership role (or vice versa) as your interests evolve and market demands shift.

Generations College’s Business Administration associate program channels the institution’s 120-plus-year legacy of student-centered education into a curriculum built for today’s workforce. Small class sizes and inclusive support services along with faculty who celebrate diverse backgrounds ensure that learners from every walk of life gain the confidence and credentials to excel in a wide array of rewarding administrative careers. 

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ASSOCIATE DEGREE JOBS

When you earn an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Generations College, you will be well-prepared for your career — whatever career path you choose in business administration. Your specific business administration job description will likely vary somewhat from those described below, but this list of potential careers represents the most common paths for degree holders: 

  • Administrative assistant: Administrative assistants typically perform routine clerical duties, ensuring departments and business lines run smoothly. Graduates who choose to work as administrative assistants can earn a comfortable living, which is one of the reasons this career choice is among the most popular business administration roles. The average salary for administrative assistants in the U.S. in 2023 was $46,010 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
  • Office manager: Office managers are responsible for making sure one or more assigned office locations run smoothly, managing day-to-day tasks. Office managers often supervise administrative assistants, book travel, organize meetings, manage databases, maintain office supplies and technology, work with third-party vendors and suppliers, provide status reports to company leaders periodically, and handle other responsibilities that help the company meet its goals.  
  • Store manager: Your business administration job description could also be titled “store manager.” Specific daily responsibilities for store managers depend to a certain extent on the type of establishment being managed. Typically, though, store managers are responsible for the hiring and performance management process, scheduling and training employees, setting sales targets, advertising and marketing, client service, and managing store inventory and financials. 
  • Executive assistant: If you choose to take a role as an executive assistant, your business administration job description will look a lot like the description for an administrative assistant. Executive assistants perform many of the same responsibilities. However, rather than supporting a specific company department, an executive assistant provides day-to-day support for one or more company executives. In addition to handling clerical responsibilities, executive assistants sometimes take on training roles, managing calls and emails for executives, client interaction, document preparation, and scheduling appointments and meetings. 
  • Legal office assistant: You could also put your business administration education and skills to work in a legal office, working as a legal office assistant. This type of role provides support to attorneys and paralegals, helping organize documents, records, and databases — as well as handling administrative responsibilities, including client service and communications, preparing drafts of contracts and pleadings, managing billing and accounts receivable, scheduling meetings, managing court calendars, and more. 
  • Entrepreneur: Business administration careers do not always mean you have to work for someone else! Some graduates decide to go into business for themselves, either starting and building companies from the ground up or buying and running an existing business. Earning your business administration degree provides a well-rounded education — offering the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to succeed as an entrepreneur.

With a business administration degree, graduates can become a business administrator, HR specialist, or marketing manager. According to BLS data, these roles offer strong job outlooks and median salaries from $60K to over $130K. Generations College proudly reports a 95% graduate placement rate, reflecting real-world career success.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What is the job outlook for business administration graduates?

The job outlook for business administration graduates is strong, with steady demand across industries for professionals skilled in management, operations and organizational leadership. At Generations College, 84% of students attend full-time, allowing them to benefit from immersive learning experiences that prepare them for immediate entry into the workforce or further education.

Yes, Generations College has established articulation agreements with top universities such as DePaul, Loyola and Roosevelt, making it easy for students to transfer their credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, our strong industry connections provide students with job placement opportunities in a variety of industries and sectors of opportunity.

Graduates can pursue roles in finance, marketing, healthcare, retail, government and more. The versatility of a business administration degree makes it a valuable credential across a wide range of industries.

CREATE YOUR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CAREER PATH

As you can see, business administration associate degree jobs offer a variety of responsibilities. When pursuing and earning your Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Generations College, you will have a versatile degree that can take you in multiple directions, depending on your interests and goals. Ultimately, you can be confident you will graduate with the skills needed to succeed.

Students enrolled in our Business Administration program — whether on-campus or online — benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention from experienced faculty. The curriculum is designed to build core business competencies while developing key skills in communication, information technology, critical thinking and creative problem-solving. For students who are pursuing business degrees to launch a new career or looking to advance within their current industry, our program equips them with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in the dynamic world of business management.

Generations College offers flexible day, evening and online classes to meet the demands of busy schedules and diverse lifestyles. This flexibility, combined with a high graduate placement rate and strong articulation agreements with respected four-year institutions such as Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University and Roosevelt University, ensures that our students can transition smoothly into the workforce or continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree.

Located on our historic downtown Chicago campus — just steps from major public transportation — Generations College has proudly served students since 1904. With a 77% student diversity rate and 79% of students coming from out of state, we foster an inclusive learning community where all learners are supported and empowered to succeed in business management and beyond.

Ready to learn more and take the first step toward your future career in business administration? We offer CAPPE support for academic, personal and professional success so your education journey feels supported every step of the way. Contact us for more information by calling us at (312) 922-1884 or apply online today.

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