How to Become a Business Administrator in Indiana

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What is Business Administration?

An Indiana business administrator is a professional who works in a business in a position where they are in charge of delegating tasks, organizing projects, and more. Business administrators, or those of similar skill sets, may work in for-profit enterprises, non-profit organizations, or even government agencies. They often hold a management title, but they can also hold VP positions and above.

Typically, a business administrator works in an office setting at a desk - a typical business environment. A lot of their time is spent analyzing their business or department, writing reports, conceiving future projects, and more. Depending on their position and organization, they might work closely with employees whose schedules and payroll are their responsibility. Others work in human resources, where they are concerned with managing things such as hiring, firing, training sessions, and employee benefits. To get ahead as a business administrator, professionals often earn a master of business administration (MBA) with concentrations such as leadership, management, administration, or human resources, for instance.

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Business Administration Education in Indiana

Indiana is a terrific state for business. Historically, the state has always been strong in agriculture and manufacturing; two mainstay industries for the whole nation. In the modern era, Indiana has maintained its manufacturing strength, while agriculture has fallen out of the state's top ten industries. The state is also strong in industries such as real estate, healthcare, social assistance, finance, wholesale trade, retail trade, as well as transportation and warehousing.

Each of these industries has its own technologies and cultures, but they all share core fundamentals. That is, they are all businesses that need to generate revenues to stay afloat. Even non-profit organizations and government agencies need administrators to ensure that everything runs smoothly. To that end, Indiana's colleges and universities have always been there to provide top quality professionals to do all the necessary work.

Indiana's business administration degrees begin at the community college level. Students can often stay in their hometowns and attend a local community college that will prepare them for success with a full round of core college courses, as well as highly beneficial business courses. These degrees could be a person's sole education as employers are always willing to take on an eager budding business professional in an entry-level position. They can also serve as a foundation for more learning and academic growth.

Indiana's colleges and universities are world famous for many reasons. Some recognize them for their sports teams while more savvy business professionals recognize the top-quality business administration degrees that they produce. In fact, Indiana is home to widely recognized schools such as Indiana University, Purdue, Ball State, and Notre Dame. There are other excellent choices in Indiana such as Earlham College, Valparaiso University, and Butler University.

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All of these options and more add up to Indiana being a terrific option for the nation's next wave of business administration officials. Their universities offer not only top-notch baccalaureate business administration degrees but also master’s business administration degrees, including the lauded MBA. Students who achieve a master’s business degree will thrive in Indiana's vibrant economy. However, others may wish to travel north of Gary to Chicago, where there are even more opportunities, especially for those who specialize in finance. There are also loads of opportunities in Detroit and elsewhere around the nation.

Associate Degree in Business Administration (ABA)

There are many ways to start a career in business, and an associate business administration degree is one of the best. Students who earn an associate business degree from their local community college are prepped for success with a terrific introduction to the subject. To enhance this degree, students should consider taking courses in accounting, math, or even computer science, which can augment their learning.

There are also online associate business administration degree options available for students who need the flexibility that online education offers. Online degree options open up more opportunities to learn from schools that may be hundreds of miles away. There are online associate degrees priced to compete with traditional classroom degree programs. Thus, online business administration students may find a degree program with the best accreditation and cost without having to leave their hometown. There are associate business administration degree programs that are accredited by top agencies such as AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE.

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (BBA)

A bachelor’s business administration degree is the graduates credential that most employers look for when seeking an entry-level worker. This is because a full four-year degree allows students enough time to delve deeper into the subject, while still being able to learn a more specialized approach to business administration. Students can also become more well-rounded, with a keen choice of a minor concentration or a nuanced business degree.

Depending on the business school or program, students may be able to focus on areas such as management, marketing, human resources, or supply chain management. They can also augment their degrees with electives or a minor concentration in accounting, finance, or computer science, to name a few options. While an undergraduate business administration degree is still general in nature, those who focus their studies a bit will gain an edge in the job market. Further, those focus areas may be fully developed in a master’s business administration degree program.

Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

These days a master’s business administration degree is more and more important for long-term, successful business careers. Some undergraduate students are able to take part in accelerated MBA programs, which allow them to complete both their graduate and undergraduate studies in a mere five years. Others go a more traditional route and start sending their MBA applications during their final semester of college.

This degree is one of the most highly regarded in the business community. It's all but mandatory for those seeking a C-suite position, and nearly all consultancies want to work with MBAs. Students should seek out master’s business administration degrees from MBA programs with accreditation from AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE.

To make the most of an MBA, mot students choose a concentration for their second year. Others opt for a dual MBA program where they combine a second graduate degree such as law, engineering, or information technology, depending on the direction one wishes for their business administration career.

PhD Degree in Business Administration (DBA)

A doctorate degree in business administration is a rare thing in today's business community, but this top-level academic credential may soon become more common in light of proliferating MBA degrees. Business administration professionals who pursue a PhD might consider fields that are on the cutting edge of business, such as data science. This all-important field is becoming more prevalent in marketing firms and departments who need experts who can parse and interpret big data troves.

A doctorate degree in business administration can also be of great use to those who wish to teach at the college level. Those with a full PhD can land tenure track positions in business administration departments. Some universities may want more PhDs to come on board and pursue research projects into various business topics. Those topics often tend to align with one's dissertation topic, which involves deep research and analysis that play out over 100 or more pages.

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Become a Business Administrator in Indiana

Indiana is a terrific state for business and its business administration professionals start their growth and development in childhood. Youngsters who may become business administration professionals in Indiana often display talents that will make them terrific business administration professionals later on. For instance, kids who are natural leaders may later rise to the top of a corporation based on their ability to motivate and inspire their employees.

Leadership is just one part of what makes a great Indiana business administration professional. When it comes to academics, budding business pros frequently show strong aptitude in mathematics. This will come in handy when it comes time to work with spreadsheets and other analytical tasks. On the other hand, students who are good writers and communicators can utilize those talents and skills later on in their business careers.

High school students who are eager to thrive in business administration should seek out leadership opportunities at every turn. The more obvious choices are student council positions, but clubs also provide leadership opportunities. There may even be an FBLA group where students can hold titles such as president, vice president, or treasurer. High school students should also seek out courses that will help them form a strong foundation in business.

Many high schools offer students the opportunity to take accounting courses, which will be vital later on. Today's charter schools may offer even more opportunities to explore the world of business. If possible, students can also look into internships with local businesses. For instance, real estate agencies may need students who can help place signs out for open houses. Later in high school, students may even start small ventures such as landscaping services, babysitting services, dog walking, or other enterprises that still allow for their schoolwork to be completed. After all, college will be calling.

When seeking the best Indiana business administration degree program, investigate each program's accreditation. Those with credentials from AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE should go to the top of the list. Note that it's also important to scrutinize the program's curriculum, faculty, and price. Students may also want to think about what it means to attend a very large university versus a small college. It's also important to start considering graduate school, which will be vital to long-term success.

Ultimately, to become an Indiana business administration professional, students should be dedicated, determined, and dogged in their pursuit of a business administration degree and long-term, sustainable excellence.

Careers for Business Administration Graduates

Team Supervisor, Call Center
These business professionals work in call centers that may offer any sort of service to callers or clients. Some are designed to provide technical support, while others are geared towards selling products or services. Supervisors in these centers need to have strong communication skills to not only work with those calling (or called) on the phone but to work with employees. Leadership and the ability to motivate workers is paramount in this field.
Financial Advisor
To become a financial advisor, students need to study hard in a finance department. Certified financial advisers need to pass stringent examinations, which will confer much needed credentials. Once certified, CFAs work with businesses or individuals to help them achieve their financial goals through savvy investments, fiscal restructuring, and other means.
Accounting Associate
This is a terrific entry-level position for a young accountant. Often, these positions are given to students who have completed their undergraduate degrees and who then wish to sit for the Certified Public Accountant Examination. While at work, accountants gain invaluable experience that will help with the CPA exam as well as long-term success. Hours spent in this position may be applied to the CPA licensure application with the Indiana Board of Accountancy.
Chief Marketing Manager
This top-level marketing position is very demanding as professionals need to monitor and administrate a marketing campaign from early conception through to final execution. They work with marketing analysts, creative professionals, and a myriad of other professionals to ensure that their product or service receives the best representation with the target consumer.

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Digital Marketing Manager/Director
These days, marketing departments and firms are sometimes divided between the traditional marketing and digital marketing sides of the industry. Digital marketing managers may oversee teams of web designers, social media specialists, web developers, and e-commerce professionals, among others. A thorough knowledge of SEO is imperative for success in this position, as is a deep understanding of internet technologies.
Project Manager
Project management is a fast-growing field that start-ups and consultancies alike are hiring for in droves. These business administration professionals work with teams of technical, financial, or other experts to see a project through to completion. Often, project managers work as liaisons between a team of technical professionals, for instance, and the firm's client. They may manage budgets for travel, payroll, and other expenses to maintain good relations with the client while also protecting their firm's profit margins.
Supply Chain Manager
This field is becoming more important all the time because business is an increasingly global proposition. Supply chain managers, also known as logisticians, ensure that products move smoothly through production and then to their destination. The pandemic era demonstrated the vast importance of efficient supply chains and supply chain managers are on task to make sure those lines of transit remain open and clear.
Non-Profit Director
These business administration professionals work in the non-profit sector and conduct their business much like those in for-profit organizations. The key difference is that non-profit directors direct their energies toward fundraisers and grant writing, which can result in the donations they need to survive as organizations. Non-profit directors may oversee organizations that perform any sort of service including helping the homeless, disabled persons, or providing writing workshops to disadvantaged communities.

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