What is Business Administration?
A business administrator is a professional who oversees the operations of an enterprise. They may be positioned at various levels of a business, often in a managerial level. Thus, they are tasked with ensuring that their teams perform efficiently and effectively. They also act as a liaison between their teams and upper levels of the organization.
An administrator may spend a good deal of time communicating with higher-level administrators and attending meetings with other department heads. In these meetings, they’ll often discuss current operations and formulate plans for the future. They then take those plans and communicate them to their teams. In this way, a business administrator is much like a coach or other leader who motivates their team to victory
Most administrators work in an office setting and keep regular daytime business hours. However, some may oversee larger areas, as in a regional manager, and will thus need to travel on a regular basis. Now that remote work is facilitated by software such as Zoom, administrators may not need to travel quite as much in order to maintain effectiveness.
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Business Administration Education in Delaware
Delaware was our first state and, though it is small, it holds enormous power in the economy. Their tax laws make it a very attractive home for corporate headquarters, especially banks and other financial institutions. Thus, those Delaware business administration students who are focusing on banking and finance are sure to find great success. Where students in other states may need to move if they desire a career in those sectors, Delaware students need only find a comfortable apartment and get started.
Since Delaware features so prominently in banking and finance, the state's colleges and universities have crafted their curricula to match the demands of the local economy. Also, Delaware business administration students needn't worry about pigeonholing themselves, since a degree that concentrates on financial matters can launch them into successful careers in many markets. Nearby New York City and the Washington D.C. area, for example, have a great demand for students trained to work in finance.
Delaware isn't only for future bankers, however. The state's second largest industry is real estate. Students who have prepared to enter the working world in the world of property management, for instance, can find gainful employment managing buildings in Wilmington, Dover or elsewhere. The state is also strong in professional and business services, healthcare, and manufacturing, among others.
The state's strong colleges and universities are there to support student interest in those areas, too. There are whole programs dedicated to healthcare administration, for example, and MBA programs offer concentrations in healthcare. Delaware students can also pursue master’s degrees in healthcare administration (MHA) both online and in traditional classrooms.
Delaware may be small, but it is a strong force in the wider economy. No matter what industry appeals to students, Delaware is sure to offer opportunities for them. If those opportunities aren't in the state, students will still find themselves located in the middle of much economic activity. A short train trip into Philadelphia or further into New York City will yield tremendous opportunities for all.
Online Associates (AS or ABA)
An associate business administration degree is a cost-effective way to launch a career in business. Community college courses are typically much more affordable than those in four-year colleges and universities. In fact, some states even offer free or very low-cost community college degrees. Community colleges typically also offer small class sizes, where students work with instructors with the same degrees as those who teach at four-year institutions.
Once they graduate, associate business administration degree holders can enter the workforce in entry-level positions. They might start as assistant managers or enter into management training programs with any number of organizations. They can also consider returning to school for a bachelor’s business administration degree. Since they'll have experience and will have completed the core bachelor’s degree curriculum, those with an associate business administration degree can focus on their business courses and any minor concentrations they choose.
Read More About Online ABAsOnline Bachelors (BS or BBA)
A bachelor’s business administration degree is commonly thought of as a fundamental requirement for entry to the business community. This is increasingly the case since more and more workers are graduating with four-year baccalaureate business degrees. A four-year degree picks up where the associate business administration degree leaves off and allows for deeper learning and more short and long-term opportunities.
Students in a full bachelor’s degree program can specialize their degrees to suit their talents and long-term goals. Some may have a keen interest in, say, information technology, so they might focus on management information systems with an eye to administering an organization's approach to technology. Others could choose a general business administration degree but augment their learning with a minor focus in a field that will help them land a position in a specific industry or department. Some examples include marketing, computer science, engineering, or healthcare administration.
Read More About Online BBA'sOnline Masters (MS or MBA)
The gold standard for business degrees at the graduate level is typically considered to be the MBA. This graduate-level training is often a virtual requirement for entry to the C-suites. These degrees are highly valued, so any business administration professional could start thinking of when and where to complete their MBA as soon as they enter a baccalaureate business administration degree program.
Another thing students should consider is the variety available in MBA programs. Not only are there traditional and online MBA degree programs, but each degree program usually offers its own options. While most every MBA program is structured with a general business curriculum available for the first year, each may offer a unique set of concentration areas for the remainder of the degree. Some concentrations include supply chain management, marketing, leadership, finance, international business, and healthcare. Yet another option is a dual MBA.
A dual MBA allows students to work on their MBA plus another graduate degree in an intensified program that results in two graduate degrees in around three years. Some common choices include the JD/MBA, engineering/MBA, public health/MBA, etc. Virtually any other master’s degree can be paired with the MBA depending on the school.
Read More About Online MBA'sOnline Doctorate (PhD or DBA)
The business community does not typically require a PhD. Business tends to be more concerned with achieving goals and results than theoretical research. However, this may be changing since there are already so many MBAs filling the C-suites. One area where a PhD might be highly valued is in leadership. Consultants who have done deep work on the notion of leadership in business might work with clients to help them become more effective in their work.
Doctorate degree programs can also provide students with the opportunity to dive deep into specific areas that may benefit their organizations. Those with a PhD in finance, for instance, may be able to structure their firm's holdings in new and clever ways. Business administration professionals might also achieve a doctorate in fields that are more industry specific such as engineering, software development, data science, or accounting.
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Become a Business Administrator in Delaware
Business administration professionals might not be born so much as made, but there are certain tell-tale signals that might indicate a youngster is on their way to becoming a business administration professional in Delaware. For one thing, budding business administration professionals might tend to be natural leaders. As youngsters, they might be called on to captain their sports teams or naturally lead their play groups. Future business administration professionals can also be found rising to the top of their math classes. However, they may also excel in social sciences such as economics, political science, and sociology.
As a future business leader moves through their school years, they should seek out courses that help prepare them for future success. In high school, they might take advantage of any business or accounting courses available to them. It can also be beneficial to take courses in information technology or even computer programming. These courses will be helpful when it comes time to start college.
Before they start college, however, it's important to discover what sort of business administration program best suits them. Some business schools focus on entrepreneurship, for example, while others may have more of a finance or healthcare slant. When students discover in which direction they want to take their academic careers, their ensuing work-life will follow behind. There are still more decisions involved, however.
One of the biggest parts of choosing a business degree program in Delaware is a program's accreditation. This is a credential that academic institutions carry to prove that their programs are worthy of their brilliant students. At a minimum, students should look for a program that has regional accreditation. Qualifying accrediting agencies must have their credentials from CHEA. Another option is to find a program with business-program specific accreditation from these agencies: AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE.
Along the way towards a baccalaureate business degree in Delaware, students should look for opportunities to gain experience. Since Delaware is full of leading financial institutions, business administration students might seek internships or part-time work with one of them. Another option may be to enroll in a program that offers a co-op program or to pursue an online business degree that allows full or part-time work.
Careers for Business Administration Graduates
- Information Technology Manager:
Often this position goes to IT workers who have demonstrated strong leadership abilities. However, it can also be awarded to strong leaders who have a good working knowledge of how to run an IT department. They may understand many things about databases, networking, software, and hardware but not have deep technical knowledge. However, they will have the ability to recognize talent and hire the right people to get the job done. - Branch Manager, Banking:
While a background in the business and finance sector is vital in this position, a bank's branch managers must also have strong leadership abilities. Branch managers should be able to assess their team's performance with customers both in a qualitative and quantitative manner. - Chief Marketing Manager:
These business professionals oversee all aspects of a marketing firm or department. They must therefore work with the analytical team as well as the creatives who produce the entertaining products we enjoy. To excel in this position, it is necessary to have a strong sense of both statistics as well as graphic arts and creative writing. - Property Manager:
These real estate professionals are in charge of every aspect of a property. They make sure the grounds are groomed and that the heat stays on in winter. They also find tenants, collect rent, and conduct price analysis to remain competitive in the market. Some property managers may oversee numerous rental homes, but others are charged with huge office buildings or office parks. - Product Manager:
These administrators are in charge of a product line for a company and must oversee its life from manufacturing through to the point of sale. They may need to arrange for raw materials on the manufacturing side and then ensure that the product's marketing is on-brand and targets the appropriate customers. This is comprehensive work that demands everything from administrators. - Project Manager:
This job title is found in industries like software development and construction, but consulting firms also have a strong demand for project management professionals. These business administrators organize and manage teams towards specific goals.
- Supply Chain Manager:
Delaware business administration programs are increasingly featuring supply chain management in their offerings. Jobs under this title can include things like warehouse management, product development and management, and may even be highly technical. Logisticians with strong skills are sure to go far. - Non-Profit Director:
Every non-profit organization needs a strong administrative presence to ensure that their organization operates according to its mission. Business administration professionals in Delaware who prefer working toward idealistic goals more than profit motives should look into working in this sector. - Office Manager:
This is a terrific opportunity for a business administration professional with an associate business administration degree from a local community college. The position often involves running the day-to-day operations of a small business. Office managers can work in any sort of business, including a real estate office, mechanics shop, marketing agency, or an accounting firm.
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