What can I do with my degree in Business?

The occupations below are a selection of those that may interest Business students and graduates. Although many of these careers are open to graduates in other subjects, a business degree will be useful and some employers may give preference to business graduates.

Advertising Account Executive

Advertising account executives are the bridge between the client and the agency. Account Executives are responsible for ensuring the smooth running of client accounts within the agency. They need to develop effective working relationships with client contacts. They will get involved with solving problems, drafting internal and external communications, and documenting progress on a variety of agency projects.
Prospects job profile: Advertising account executive
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising: Account Executive

Chartered Accountant

Chartered accountants provide financial advice to clients that range from multinational organisations and governmental bodies to small independent businesses. Accountants often specialise in particular areas of practice, including audit, management consultancy, recovery, forensic accountancy, taxation, assurance, and corporate finance.
Prospects job profile: Chartered Accountant
Inside Careers: Chartered Accountancy
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Human resources manager

Human resources officers develop, advise on and implement policies relating to the effective use of staff in an organisation. Responsibilities include hiring, developing and looking after employees. This involves functions such as training and monitoring performance.
Prospects job profile: Human resources officer
Chartered Institute for Personal Development: HR generalist roles

Investment banker

Investment banking relates primarily to helping large organisations access the capital markets to raise money for expansion or other needs. Two main areas of interest in investment banking for graduates are typically Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Proprietary Trading.
Prospects job profile:  Investment banker
Inside Careers: Banking and Investments

Management consultant

In essence, a consultant’s job is to advise an organisation on improvements that can be made. Consultancy usually involves identification and assessment of a problem or analysis of a specific area, reporting findings and formulating recommendations.
Prospects job profile: Management consultant
Inside Careers: Management consultancy

Marketing executive

Marketing executives promote a company or an individual product or brand. This role may include planning campaigns, commissioning market research and communicating with people in all areas of the business, from production to finance, as well as externally.
rospects job profile: Marketing executive
The Chartered Institute of Marketing: Get into Marketing

Project manager

Project managers are responsible for the planning, management, coordination and financial control of a project. They ensure that a project is completed on time and within budget, that the project's objectives are met and that everyone else is doing their job properly.
Prospects job profile: Project manager
Association for Project Management: Project management career path

Retail manager

Retail managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of stores or departments. This may involve responsibility for a wide range of business functions, depending on the size of the store and company structure, such as human resources, marketing, logistics, IT, customer service and finance.
Prospects job profile: Retail manager
Target jobs: Retail manager

Logistics and Distribution / Supply chain manager

Supply chain managers plan, coordinate and monitor the transfer of goods and materials from manufacturers and suppliers through to customers. This can include everything from forecasting trends and buying through to transport and distribution.
Prospects job profile: Logistics and distribution manager
Target jobs: Logistics / Distribution manager

If you are unsure of how to start developing your career after graduation, you may consider joining one of the many graduate training schemes, which many large and international companies run. These often allow graduates to spend time in different business functions before opting for a particular career track to pursue.

You could also use your business degree to find a job within start-ups, charities, non-profit organisations and NGOs. If you have a bright idea and the knowledge to back it up, you may even consider launching your own business.

Thank you to Prospects for the content on these pages.