Business Administration | Career Centre

Are you passionate about business and entrepreneurship? Majoring in Business Administration at York will expose you to the fundamentals of the corporate and private world and the principles and organizational requirements of running a business. Offered through York’s Schulich School of Business, you can follow both the business administration (BBA) or international business administration (IBBA) degree options during your four year program. You will be able to focus your studies on one of nine different areas of business specialization. More than just a degree from one of the world’s best business programs, a degree in business administration will teach you crucial professional skills and create countless career paths.

Career Options in Business Administration

Below is a sample list of some future choices to explore following studies in Business Administration. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers Business Administration degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Business Administration than others.

Author
Actuary
Auditor
Administrative Associate
Accountant
Banker
Business Editor
Blogger
Brand Strategist
Broker
Business Ethics Advocate
Charity Coordinator
Community Developer
Corporate Trainer
Corporate Financier
Economist
Entrepreneur
Event Coordinator
Executive Assistant
Fundraising Planner

Financial Advisor
Financial Analyst
Industrial Relations Consultant
Journalist/Business Writer
Lawyer
Legal Assistant
Lobbyist
Marketing Director
Market Researcher/Analyst
Media Correspondent
Non-Profit Organization Director
Politician
Public Relations Representative
Recruiter
Retail Strategist
Risk Analyst
Social Program Director
Trader
Underwriter

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through a Business Administration Degree

A background in Business Administration ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills a Business Administration degree can help you develop:

Core Business Administration Skills

A solid understanding of business and management theory and the capability to apply this to real life professional settings and circumstances
International business acumen through the iBBA (international) option
Familiarity with today’s professional expectations and exposure to contemporary business realities
An understanding of related fields such as macro and micro economics, accounting and finance and the possibility to put your entrepreneurial spirit into work through various initiatives and projects offered by one of the world’s leading business schools

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of Business Administration that you may want to visit as you research career options for Business Administration graduates.