Business Careers, Jobs & Salaries

Business Woman Businesses and the people that run them drive the world's economies. Business majors usually specialize in one area of business or another (unless they major in Business Administration/Management, which is a general degree applicable to many jobs).

Working conditions

Working conditions vary by job, but it is safe to say that beginners work long hours for less pay and glory than their elders -- but it all pays off eventually (hopefully).

Business people usually work in comfortable offices, but many also travel to meet clients or stockholders or to attend conferences. In fact, students with international culture and language expertise can expect good prospects.

Careers

In-demand areas include ethics, auditing, and e-commerce. Students with sales and marketing skills will always be in-demand -- without a strong sales force, the company can't get anywhere.

Business jobs can be broadly broken down into:

management and supervisory positions;
advertising, marketing, and sales;
customer and client relations;
market and industry analysis;
business law and taxation;
operations and costing;
finance and accounting; and
administration

Within each field there are numerous sub-specialties; however, every business needs people that can perform the basic functions outlined above.

Annual Median Earnings*

Public relations specialists: $47,350
Public relations managers: $82,180
Advertising sales agents: $42,750
Advertising managers: $73,060
Sales representatives (including commission): $64,440
Sales managers: $91,560
Market research analysts: $58,820
Marketing managers: $98,720
Administrative services managers: $67,690
Cost estimators: $52,940
Marketing managers: $78,250
Purchasing managers: $81,570
Wholesale and retail buyers (excluding farm products): $44,640

*These numbers are the most recent available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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