Graduate outcomes: The benefits of studying business in North America

Great graduate prospects, competitive salaries and an attractive skill to take into the workforce are just some of the reasons business has become a popular choice for many undergraduate students in North America.

While salaries may not be the only reason students are attracted to business studies, they certainly help with fantastic average starting salaries that are great news for those who fancy their chances as the next Alan Sugar or Donald Trump.

In the U.S., Forbes magazine released a study in 2013, confirming that the average starting salary for business graduates earning bachelor’s degrees had risen to $45,000, up 5.3% from the average starting salary for the class of 2012. 

The depth and breadth of business studies are another attractive feature as most courses combine elements of accountancy, finance, statistics and even entrepreneurship that give graduates a fantastic skill set and a huge boost in their career prospects.

Graduates are taught to become quickly versant in key factors in the fast-paced business world such as decision making, numeracy, communication and presentation. With these skills in place business graduates not only stand out from the pack, but they leave with the confidence and talent needed for positions within multinationals, or even to put their own ideas into practice to go it alone.

Furthermore, choosing to study at a U.S. institution means students can also make the most of campus life, from debating society to joining a sorority – extracurricular activities will look great on your C.V.

Students who decide to study business are normally an internationally diverse group. Your peers will hail from a variety of countries, making lectures and tutorials a fun and interesting study environment. Furthermore, business students also have the opportunity to undertake a joint honours degree – or even learn a new language – making you even more of an asset for any future employer.

From human resources to marketing, and sales to retail, a business degree opens the door to diverse and exciting career paths for graduates. Read on to find out more about some of the exciting areas where business graduates are finding high-paying employment:

Media, marketing and advertising

While these aren’t traditional career paths for business graduates, you will be involved in the running of TV, newspapers and magazine publishing firms. From HR to sales, business graduates are highly sought after by employers for their quick thinking and fresh ideas. Graduates will also need to keep up to date with market developments and the latest digital trends.

Sales and retail

While retail and sales might not be the route for all business graduates, many firms offer attractive graduate schemes with the opportunity to travel and meet potential clients. A career in retail is so much more than just on the shop floor. In management positions graduates need to make key decisions in relation to stock and marketing, as well as store branding and advertising.

Management

While managerial positions offer an attractive salary, running a business and managing a workforce is no easy task. If you can face long hours and increased responsibility then a managerial position is the ideal career choice for you. While unlikely to be a career choice straight out of university, years in the field and hard work will eventually pay off. Graduates interested in management may also consider a position with a business consultancy firm, using analytical skills and business expertise to provide advice to other companies.

Human resources

Excellent communicators and critical thinkers are much needed in HR as is a good understanding of employment laws and regulations. Business graduates fit well into this sector, due to their wide skill set and relationships with other colleagues.

Accountancy and finance

Mergers and acquisitions, tax and finances and even fraud and negligence are just some of the areas graduates can expect to cover if entering a career in the finance sector. While many firms require further accountancy qualifications, in many larger companies the costs may be covered. If numbers are your forte, then a business degree is a good stepping-stone into this fast-paced sector.

Business is fast becoming a popular career choice for confident, quick, decision-making graduates. Read on to find out more about the degrees available at six of North America’s finest business schools:

UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, EBERHARDT SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
The first chartered university in California, the University of the Pacific produces outstanding graduates thanks to its recognized academic programs, optimally-sized classes, and diverse cultural campus life. The Eberhardt School of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the highest standard of achievement available for business schools worldwide. The Eberhardt School’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs provide students with student-faculty interactive classes and employable business skills and have been recognized by Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News and World Report. The Eberhardt School’s “Early Advantage” accelerated full-time MBA program has been consistently named in the Princeton Review’s “295 Best Business Schools” and includes a required MBA-level internship and short-term study abroad course as part of the program. Experiential learning courses, such as the Student Investment Fund, place students at the leading edge of global learning in the 21st century.

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, DEGROOTE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Set in 300 acres of green, cycle-friendly parkland, McMaster University offers students a unique learning experience in Ontario, Canada. The DeGroote School of Business offers students a variety of business programmes as well as the opportunity to complete international exchanges with multinational firms. Students will go on to choose from a variety of modules after their first year of study, including finance, marketing and operations management. The school also offers students the experience and training of working on a real-life training floor as part of its programme. Students at McMaster can benefit from a variety of clubs and associations as well as a thriving campus life.

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
The University of Guelph has over 20,000 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. Guelph provides its students with an in-depth, comprehensive education combining traditional academia with experiential learning. Guelph’s College of Business and Economics offers students a transformative learning experience while building on social conscience and leadership. The Department of Management offers students a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, designed to teach taxation, auditing and accounting skills and theory. Guelph constantly ranks highly in student satisfaction ratings, with the university reaching 1st place for student satisfaction at a comprehensive university in Canada, according to Maclean’s magazine.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, BRYAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
The oldest public university in the U.S., the University of North Carolina combines traditional roots with modern teaching methods, with some 220,000 students enrolled in 16 across-state campuses. UNC students can enjoy a vibrant campus life, while benefiting from the university’s outstanding academic staff and historic buildings. Bloomberg Businessweek has ranked the Bryan School of Business and Economics 13th place in the U.S. for its part-time MBA programme. Business students will experience hands-on teaching and real-life scenarios and become exceptional graduates ready to take on the world of work.

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY, COLES COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Georgia’s third largest university offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. The university promotes an international outlook and an entrepreneurial spirit among its students, meaning graduates are able to take on a wide variety of roles and tasks in addition to being able to think outside of the box. The Coles College of Business produces high caliber teaching in a variety of business fields, as well as a thriving research department. Coles aims to challenge students, and test current knowledge and theory in addition to providing real-life industry scenarios. Classes are always taught by a professor, providing students with first-class teaching. 

Heading image via Eberdhart School of Business, University of the Pacific. Body image via University of North Carolina.