What is a BBA Degree?

A bachelor of business administration degree, or BBA, is possibly one of the most highly sought after bachelor’s degrees out there.  After all, the possibilities of earning a degree in business are seemingly endless, and a driven individual has the ability to further that knowledge and education into an MBA.  You're probably wondering what the big deal is, so let's look at what a BBA degree entails, what you can expect to learn with it, and where it can take you in your career.

The General Scoop: The BBA

A BBA degree is often the go-to degree for most ambitious young people.  It may offer endless opportunity, potential wealth, and an opportunity for financial freedom somewhere in the future; however, many people currently in the job market are looking towards the BBA to develop existing talents, increase opportunities within their current jobs, or even advance in a different field all together.  The BBA is largely considered a "general business degree" and many programs offer a degree in general business administration.  While you could, in fact, attain the most basic and necessary business knowledge to better yourself, sometimes a BBA alone isn't the answer.  Often, specialization in a specific field of business study such as accounting, finance, or computer information systems can give you a necessary boost on your competitors in the job market.

Setting Yourself Apart: Choosing a Specialization

As we've mentioned, specialization is differentiation.  Michael Porter, father of strategic management, recognizes differentiation as one of his four generic strategies for business, and it should be your number one strategy for competing in the job market.  By choosing a subject (and a de facto career field) you can narrow the focus of your education into specific areas of business.  While marketing, management, and accounting are widely considered the "big three" when it comes to business subjects, other specializations such as finance and computer systems are in high demand throughout the global economic infrastructure.  Selecting a subject that is first and foremost interesting to you and secondarily in high demand may increase the likelihood that you'll land a quality job upon completion of your BBA. 

How to Choose a BBA Program

Quite possibly the most difficult decision you will make in pursuing a BBA is where to attend college and what program is right for you.  Unfortunately there really isn't any straightforward answer to this age-old conundrum, but there are a few helpful things to research when making your decision:

  1. Cost and Return on Investment: Examine the related costs and financing available to you as a student.  Additionally, look at what graduates from each school are doing with their careers and do some rough calculations of how well that degree has returned on their investment.
  2. Research Professors: Look into the faculty and staff at each university and nail down some quality professors for your chosen degree program at each school.  Examine their body of work and how they've managed to succeed in education and business, and you can likely correlate that to your success as a student and professional.
  3. Class Schedules and Flexibility: You need a university that will work with your work or lifestyle schedules.  See if schools offer online classes or night classes at a brick-and-mortar campus.  Make sure the schools you are vetting fit the bill for your personal schedule.
  4. Get on the Phone: Get on the phone and call as many professors, advisers, and department heads as you can.  In all likelihood, you'll be able to get a good gauge on the university from these people as they aren't compensated by selling you an education.

Great Expectations: What You Can Do with a BBA Degree

You’re probably wondering what you can do with a BBA degree. Many prospective students find themselves falling flat if they don't have realistic expectations about earning a business degree.  Understand that a great deal of hard work will be necessary to not only earn the degree but to secure the job opportunity you desire.  You'll be exposed to a multitude of basic business information that is integral to building the foundation of a solid business-based education.  Stay with it, and learn as many of the basic concepts of business as you can.  Absorb these ideas like a sponge, and you're more likely to succeed.  Finally, don't expect to land your dream job right out of college.  Just as your degree requires hard work, so will your career.  Stay diligent and disciplined in order to achieve your career goals.

Get Started with a BBA Degree Today

Getting started with your college search can be as easy as getting online and doing some quick searches, but why not get in touch with an adviser at ECPI University to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration?  An advisor can help you nail down possible career paths and program features to fit your lifestyle.  Get in touch today and start earning your BBA. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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