Why study Business Administration?

Submitted by Jeanne Steffener, Tulalip Tribes Higher ED

There are numerous reasons for studying business administration at college. In gaining an understanding of business, you will learn the necessary skills needed to succeed in life while making a major investment in your own future career.

More and more entry-level jobs are now requiring a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university because of a competitive labor market. A business degree will provide you with the skill set that you will need to get your foot in the door. The courses that you be required to study will help you improve and perfect your communication, presentation and writing skills. Business programs are placing a huge focus on teaching students how to think critically, learn to problem solve in innovative and creative ways while managing their time reasonably. 

In earning your four (4) year degree, you will also learn how to deal with ethical issues, interacting with others, exercising leadership skills and working in team situations. This will also help you to adapt to the uncertainties of life. Business courses spend time helping you to develop your interpersonal skills so that you will feel more confident in the workplace. Students learn how to deliver outstanding customer service by developing an understanding of their customer’s needs.

During the time you spend earning your degree, you will meet other students, instructors, and counselors that might be able to contribute to your career growth. These contacts can provide a lifetime of referrals, professional advice, references and networking opportunities, as well as friendships.

This is a good resume building degree. Graduates in this field tend to receive salaries on the higher end of the spectrum. Those who go on to pursue their Master of Business Administration degree(MBA), can expect to see a profitable return on their investment. This degree will be helpful in getting a job in these other industry areas: healthcare, technology, business, finance, social services, marketing, protective services, non-profit agencies, transportation, accounting, human resources management, and management. 

An increasing number of employers are elevating their standards in hiring a candidate with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. There are many reasons for this but one of the major reasons is the skills required for many jobs has increased over time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn about $400 more per week than those with only a high school diploma. Additionally, bachelor degree graduates have 50% more job security”.

Now if you have ever thought of starting your own business, this is the perfect way to gain that knowledge to start your own business. A business degree gives you the basic knowledge in accounting, finance and investment, human resources and marketing, the foundations to any business. Students can test out their own business ideas in class using their plans and strategies in a safe environment. If you do end up working for someone else, employers will be impressed by new and innovative ideas, especially, if they have been tested in a controlled environment.

Business is at the forefront of everything. Money and buying/selling controls much if not all aspects of our life. A business degree will give you an understanding of the global world and market. On a personal level, a business education will contribute greatly to your skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about your own life and how you can better control your own finances.

Business Administration can give you insights into how you can make your life successful. If you are interested in making some sound decisions and finding out how to do this, please call the Higher ED staff at 360-716-4888 or email us at highered@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov for assistance with this educational path.