Business Studies

Business studies courses give you a broad overview of how the commercial world operates. They usually cover the whole range of functions to give a firm foundation which can be applied in any sector or industry. As well as developing the essential transferable or 'soft' skills that employers demand, you build technical knowledge and skills and have the opportunity to specialise through options or a dissertation.

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Working as a Marketing Portfolio Manager

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Prospects

In 2010, over 64% of business studies graduates were in paid employment, suggesting this broad course of study is vocationally relevant.

Business studies graduates are found in almost every employment sector but around 20% typically enter employment in commercial, industrial and public sector management. Commercial roles exist in all types of industry, including:

• retail;
• distribution;
• hospitality and leisure;
• financial institutions;
• sales;
• marketing;
• production management.

Around 17% of business studies graduates enter employment in business and finance professional roles. Relevant opportunities include those in:

• professional services (chartered accountancy, business consultancy, law and tax);
• finance (banking, city markets, insurance);
• major industrial and manufacturing organisations.

Significant numbers of business graduates also head for the media sector and take up administrative positions.

Where are the jobs?

Graduate training schemes offered by large employers frequently focus on 'commercial' roles. Many give experience in several departments but others encourage specialisation from the outset. These recruitment schemes are advertised in directories available free from your careers service as well as online.

Remember that industries as diverse as chemicals, utilities, fashion, health, grocery and construction all require functional managers with a clear understanding of systems, efficiency and operational issues. Apart from the private sector, suitable opportunities also exist in the public and voluntary sectors.

For more detailed information about the range of options, check out the following employment areas:

• Accountancy and business services: audit, tax, insurance, actuarial and accounting;
• Banking, investment and insurance: investment and commercial banks, building societies, independent financial advisers, broking firms, insurance and reinsurance companies;
• Human resources and recruitment: in-house and consultancy opportunities.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Management consultant.
• Systems analyst
• Chartered accountant
• Chartered management accountant
• Insurance underwriter
• Logistics and distribution manager
• Investment banker (corporate finance)

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Marketing executive
• Human resources officer
• Advertising account executive
• Retail merchandiser
• Banker
• Sales executive

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk