In the modern world, there are seemingly fixed and established paths for everything. When it comes to gaining access to the business world, the first educational route that people think about is usually a Masters of Business Administration – or MBA. However, that’s not the only way to break into the business world, and you may even find that you’re limiting yourself in the event that it focuses too much on the established routes.
There are in fact lots of other ways that you can make it in the business world and get the education you need to break through. Academic degrees in subjects other than business can offer the sort of transferable skills that are required to make a business career happen while specializing in other business skills such as administration can also help. This article will go through your options.
Traditional degrees
On the face of it, subjects like history, English and even the sciences may not seem like the most obvious options as launchpads for a business career. But when you drill down into what these subjects offer, it quickly becomes apparent that there are many transferable skills there. The sciences encourage skills like planned experiments and accurate measuring of outcomes. That is useful in the business world, as it means any expansions or other projects are likely to go more smoothly.
The skills of clear communication which are cultivated by a degree in English, meanwhile, could well make all the difference when it comes to getting a business deal over the line. And academic subjects such as math and economics offer clear and obvious overlaps with business, such as quantitative thinking and an ability to work with tools such as profit and loss sheets. So there’s no need to write off traditional subjects when it comes to a business career, in fact, they might be just the ticket.
Vocational qualifications
Business is busier than ever these days, and that means there’s more demand than ever before for support services such as administration. And in many ways, business is also more socially mobile and meritocratic than ever. Gone are the days when only men who had elite university degrees could ever hope to access the top of the business tree. Now, even if you start at the bottom rung of the ladder you can rise up if you work hard.
For those thinking of pursuing vocational qualifications including the office administration option offered by Bryant and Stratton, this combination of developments is perfect. Jobs working in administration, on reception or elsewhere in the support world can all be secured through vocational degrees, and they offer a great and accessible entry point from where you can rise further up the ranks. There’s no shame in starting in support work or another similar field, or in working in it for many years – and with office administration courses offering rigorous training in computer technology, managerial skills and more, there’s plenty to get stuck into.
School of life
While education is a good route for the vast majority of people (and offers them the added security of a qualification to fall back on), some who are successful in business simply rely on their skills and experiences outside of an academic context. By drawing on the skills you have learned through living your life, you may well be able to make a success of it in business without relying on a qualification.
Remember that entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, did not finish their degrees – and they turned out fine! Just ensure that you do your research before pulling off the educational path for good and be certain that you’ve got a plan in place and the contacts you need to ascend the business ladder without a business qualification.
Alternative education routes are designed to help you get ahead in the business world – and there’s no need to stick to the typical options, such as business degrees. Academic degrees from other fields can work just as well especially given how many transferable skills there are on offer, while there are also plenty of vocational options which can help you get to where you need to be if you’re looking to enter at the clerical or support levels. In short, there are many choices to go for – and you should never feel restricted if you’re determined to make it in this sector.
