The Business Administrator career path is different for everyone. For instance, some people start by pursuing a degree while others enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program. You can also enter through many different industries and focus on many different types of specialized roles. This article provides more information about some of the many different Business Administrator career paths out there, and some of the different types of job options. 

Getting Started

If you’re just starting out in the field of business administration, you’re likely to benefit from conducting a lot of research into what this field is like. You can try to gain a better understanding of what skills and experience you’ll need, and how to find a job. Research can help you gain a better understanding of whether this is the right kind of job for you, and if it is, how to prepare yourself for success. One way to research business administration is to talk to Business Administrators and other experts in the field. They can offer valuable insights that you might not find elsewhere. Other research options include libraries and colleges, which sometimes offer free classes. You’ll also find many free online resources with information about business administration. For instance, YouTube contains many short free tutorials about business administration. Some online schools also offer free business administration resources to help students get a better idea of this field before committing to a formal class.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Business Administrator?

Some people get into business administration by earning a degree, however, a degree is not a mandatory part of becoming a Business Administrator. There are other ways to gain the knowledge and skills that you’ll need to work in this role. For instance, you can get a business administration education without attending college. In recent years, bootcamps or certificate courses have become an increasingly popular way of learning a variety of different career skills. These are accelerated programs that are designed to cover all the knowledge and skills that you’ll need to work in business administration. Most also include lots of hands-on training, and they are designed to get you career-ready as quickly as possible, usually in less than a year. They usually cost a lot less than a degree too; less than $20,000 to $30,000 on average. If you don’t want to get a degree, another thing that can help you break into the world of business administration is experience. Experience will give you a real-world understanding of this field and will help you develop the knowledge and skills that you’ll need to succeed. As you develop real-world experience, it’s also a good idea to create a portfolio, which showcases that experience. You can use your portfolio to demonstrate your mastery to potential clients or employers.

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Internships

Internships are a great way to gain business management experience. When you’re looking for an internship, it can be a good idea to choose something that could turn into a job. In an article titled, “Major: Business Administration and Management,” College Board advises, “Although not a requirement, an internship is an excellent way to get your foot in the door.” It says, “Consider applying strategically to internships at a company you would like to work at once you graduate. The intern experience fosters trust and begins the working relationship: network and do your best. This is an opportunity to showcase your personality and skills to people who may be future colleagues. You’ll also get a sense of whether that company’s workplace culture is a fit.”

Entry-Level Business Administrator Jobs

Without any experience in business administration, you’re likely to end up in an entry-level job, where you can spend a year or two building experience. An entry-level job is also a great way to learn more about specific areas that interest you or areas that you’re not interested in. Many entry-level jobs are often focused on a more narrow range of tasks than higher-level positions. As you learn more and prove yourself, your responsibilities will increase. Some examples of entry-level positions are Assistant Manager, Human Resources Assistant, Accounting Clerk, and Payroll Specialist.

Mid-Level Business Administrator Jobs

After you’ve gained business administration experience, you can move up to a mid-level job. This will include more responsibility than an entry-level position, but you’ll still need to support and report to higher-level managers. Some job titles associated with mid-level business administration are Financial Analyst, Sales Manager, and Human Resources Specialist.

Senior Business Administrator Jobs

At the senior level of business administration, you’ll have a lot of responsibility and authority. You’ll probably oversee a team of people who will help you accomplish your tasks. To work in this role, you typically need a lot of experience. You may also need to gain a higher level of education or specialization, such as certification. 

Another Path: Freelancing

Some Business Administrators work as freelancers. Being a freelancer means that rather than being employed by somebody else, you work for yourself. You’ll work on a contract or per-project basis, choosing the jobs that you want to do. In many cases, freelancers work on multiple projects at the same time, or work for more than one client simultaneously. One of the biggest benefits of freelancing is that you get to set your own hours and projects. You also have the flexibility to work from wherever you choose. A potential challenge is that you’ll need to continually make the effort to find new work rather than just looking for a job once. You’ll also be responsible for some things that you wouldn’t do as a paid employee, such as paying your own taxes.

How Do I Find A Business Administrator Job?

Working in business administration generally requires both education and experience. When it comes to education, you have a few different options. You can follow the traditional route and pursue a college degree in business administration or a related field like finance or accounting. A bachelor’s degree is the most common type of college degree for people who plan to work in business, and typically takes four years, but you could also decide to devote extra time and earn a master’s degree. A downside to a degree is that it will require a considerable investment of both time and money. However, you can also get a business administration education outside of college. For instance, many career-focused schools offer certificate programs and other courses that cover a broad range of business administration skills. 

Another type of qualification that can be helpful in business administration is a certification. This is a credential that verifies your knowledge and skills in a particular area. Research shows that credentials often give job applicants an edge over other candidates, and can also increase the chances of advancement or pay increases. In an article titled “How To Become a Business Administrator (With Tips and Steps),” Indeed suggests pursuing a professional certification. It explains, “Though not all business administrator positions require a certification, it may be helpful for candidates to have one to enhance your qualifications.” It suggests Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), explaining, “This certification is specifically for individuals pursuing an administrative role. It tests a candidate's ability to apply their knowledge of administrative duties in project management, business writing, records management, technology, communication and operation functions.” It also suggests Certified Project Management Professional (CPMP) for people who are interested in managing projects or a Salesforce certification for those who want to specialize in data.

Learn the Skills to Become a Business Administrator at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers many different business classes. You can learn in person at its Manhattan facility, or in a live online classroom. At Noble Desktop, you’ll find a number of short classes that only take a day or two, where you can master essential business skills like Excel or financial modeling. You’ll also find a variety of comprehensive, hands-on bootcamps and certificate programs, where experienced instructors will guide you through all the skills you’ll need in business administration, getting you career-ready in less than a year. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

  • One popular Noble Desktop option is the “MBA” Business Certificate. This course is an “MBA-style” program and it includes some of the skills taught in MBA programs. In this class, you’ll learn tools and strategies for finance, project management, marketing, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the practical applications of generative AI, and will get access to a self-paced class that covers the basics of business insurance, employment law, and business law. This class includes the option to take electives that match your specific area of interest. Finally, it comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions.
  • Noble Desktop also runs many different business-related bootcamps. The Project Management Bootcamp is a popular option. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.
  • Another popular certificate program is the Data Analytics Certificate. In this course you’ll learn about gathering, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data, and you’ll work on a number of real-world projects. Both predictive and prescriptive analytics are covered, in addition to Python, Excel, Tableau, and SQL. All students also receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions, which can be used to work on challenging concepts or for resume and portfolio advice.
  • One of Noble Desktop’s newest offerings is the Chat GTP & AI for Business Bootcamp. This course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to utilize AI in your daily business tasks. You’ll learn how to create effective prompts, manage conversations, and use advanced features like memory settings. You’ll also learn about the ethical considerations of AI. In addition, the course focuses on ways to use AI for task management, communication, and project planning. You’ll learn about automating repetitive tasks, optimizing schedules, and improving collaboration and administrative workflows.
  • Noble also offers many shorter classes focused on a number of different business skills. For example, it has a variety of short Excel classes: Excel Level 1,Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you’ll learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, Pivot Charts, and advanced database functions.