Is a Business Management Degree Worth it?

For individuals interested in leadership, problem solving and communication, earning a bachelor’s degree in business management can open the door to a tremendous number of rewarding job opportunities. But choosing the right field of study involves more than finding a program that utilizes and grows your innate skills and interests—it’s also about understanding what your future will hold after graduating.

If you’ve thought about pursuing a career in business, you may have wondered, “Is a business management degree worth it?”

The answer is: it depends. Entering in a business degree program presents a world of possibilities, but it’s also a challenging field of study. To better understand whether a business management degree is right for you, let’s break down what a business management degree can teach you, how it can expand your job prospects, and how it can advance your personal, professional and financial goals.

What a Business Management Degree Can Teach You

In a nutshell, studying business management is about learning to become a strong leader in a business environment. Students gain a holistic view of organizational structures and their place in our society, then use that knowledge to help steer companies down the right path—a path that is both profitable and socially responsible.

Because a business management degree emphasizes versatility and outside-of-the-box thinking, it’s one of the few degrees that teaches skills which can be applied to nearly every industry and position. You can even use the knowledge you acquire studying business management in your everyday life and relationships.

When you study business management, you’ll learn and practice skills as varied as:

• Budgeting and finance
• Problem-solving with creative solutions 
• Anticipating future trends through data analysis 
• Communication and critical thinking 
• Goal setting and planning 
• Project management and supervision 

So, what can you do with a business management degree? Ultimately, business management not only trains you in various disciplines but also teaches you how to learn effectively. As a manager, you’re constantly adapting, listening to new ideas and taking on projects that may be outside of your comfort zone. Business school or a degree in business may seem like a whirlwind of different skills, but there’s a reason for this: it’s preparing you for a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment.

What Type of Courses Do You Take When Studying Business Management?

To develop the above skills, business management students will take courses in:

• Accounting
• Business
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management
• Economics 

On top of these specific areas of study, you’ll also have to take any liberal arts and general education requirements your school deems necessary for a bachelor’s degree.

At North Central College, for example, the business management program is chock-full of inspiring classes that will expand your thinking and help you succeed in your business career. Some highlights include:

• SBEN 100 - Globalization and Society
• ACCT 202 - Managerial Accounting
• BUSN 205 - Business Law and Ethics
• ECON 200 - Principles of Microeconomics
• MGMT 305 - Management and Organizational Behavior
• MGMT 335 - Logistics and Supply Chain Management

In these courses, you’ll draw on subject matter as diverse as neuroscience, mythology and more to better understand the world of business.

However, not all business degrees are the same. For example, make sure you understand the differences in business administration vs. business management degrees, as they focus on different skills even though they have similar names. 

Skills Needed to Succeed in Business Management

A quick glance at a business management course load suggests you’ll need plenty of math and theory. While these “hard skills'' are a necessity for business management majors, the “soft skills” you’ll learn along the way are equally important—if not more so.

To succeed in business management, you’ll need to excel as a leader and manage your time productively. Strong communication skills are another asset business managers need to be able to collaborate with others, problem-solve and motivate their teams to work efficiently and effectively.

To put it plainly, business management is art and science. An outstanding manager is a jack-of-all-trades who combines interpersonal skills with competencies in policy, finance and business strategy.

How to Make the Most of a Business Management Degree

While a business management degree alone can open the door to a multitude of job opportunities, to truly make the most of a business degree program, consider taking advantage of your school’s unique resources. These include:

• Career centers
• Clubs
• Networking events
• Faculty and alumni networks

North Central College boasts dozens of clubs that complement your business studies. For example, you can hone your leadership skills by mentoring first-year students or working on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. These extra-curricular activities allow you to network with other students, and they improve your resume, too.

You can also seek mentorship from local business owners and professors, many of whom likely have experience in managerial roles. Most institutions also help students find internships and job placements, so be sure to make your career goals known to faculty and staff who can help you make these connections.

To better understand your career and financial prospects after graduating with a business management degree, explore the different avenues while you’re still at school. In particular, it can be beneficial to learn the highest potential level of growth for each job opportunity.