New technologies and economic developments have shifted the job market. But how can incoming business students embrace this changing environment?
Exploring trending degrees and majors can help you better understand modern organizations' needs. edX offers online business courses that can help you adapt to uncertainty and future-proof your degree.
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Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.Why is business a great field to study?
Many people study business because business degrees provide highly sought-after skills that you can apply to many positions. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) 2024 Corporate Recruiter Survey shows that the most in-demand business skills include:
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Strategic thinking
- Time management
- Adaptability
Business professionals are also in high demand. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that business and finance job openings will grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023–33. This data indicates that a business degree can qualify you for more positions over the next 10 years.
Additionally, studying business can provide a good return on investment (ROI). Data from the BLS reports a median annual salary for business and finance professionals of $80,920, which is $31,420 more than the average for all professions.
According to BLS data, the highest median annual salaries in business professions include:
However, with the growth of AI and the tech industry, your dream role may not exist yet. You can explore trending majors to decide what suits your needs best in a rapidly changing workplace environment.
Trending business majors
Future-proof your career by studying subjects with room for growth and innovation. These trending business degree programs can give you the skills for a successful career:
Data analytics
Data analytics is the practice of extrapolating trends and meaning from data. In business, data analysts collect data from various sources and organize, visualize, and interpret it. These interpretations can inform business decisions and help business leaders anticipate market trends.
Sign up today for Maryville University's online master's degree in data analytics on edX and discover how data analytics tools can transform modern business.
Business administration
As a business administration major, you can earn the interdisciplinary skills needed to become a strategically minded manager. Business administration degree programs, such as Maryville University's online bachelor's of business administration on edX, explore business concepts like accounting, management, and communications. These skills may help you qualify for jobs across industries.
Finance and accounting
Finance and accounting degree programs offer many highly desirable mathematics-based skills. Because businesses are increasingly reliant on data and AI, recruiters may value candidates who are proficient in finance, accounting, and statistics.
Discover online degree programs like the University of London's bachelor's in business and management on edX to gain these essential business skills.
Information systems
Management information systems majors may be some of the most well-prepared students for the modern workforce. As an information systems major, you can learn to manage projects and code applications along with core business principles like accounting, statistics, and economics.
These degree programs, such as Maryville University's bachelor's in management information systems on edX, teach students technical skills that aid in streamlining workplace processes.
Healthcare management
Students who earn a degree in healthcare management can qualify for many administrative positions in healthcare settings. From hospitals to outpatient clinics and senior living facilities, you can manage operations in a variety of environments.
Take Maryville University's bachelor's in healthcare management program on edX to learn how to help practices run efficiently and provide top-quality care.
Cybersecurity
Because user data has grown in prevalence in recent years, organizations have a duty to protect data and proprietary information. As a result, cybersecurity experts have experienced increasing demand for their skills.
You can learn to code strong private databases and thwart hacking attempts as a cybersecurity major — sign up for online cybersecurity degrees like Maryville University's bachelor's in cybersecurity on edX today.
International relations
Globally minded business students often choose to study international relations. These degree programs offer the skills to make critical connections with business leaders in other countries.
Earning a degree in international relations, like the University of London's online bachelor's in international relations offered on edX, allows you to learn to understand other cultures and honor their business customs.
Supply chain management
Supply chain management involves tracking the materials needed to create, package, and ship products and services. Students in supply chain management can gain increasingly sought-after skills like statistics and predictive modeling.
Explore this hot career path and potentially earn credits toward a degree by taking MIT's supply chain management MicroMaster's® program on edX.
Economics
From statistics to economic systems and market research, you can gain valuable insight as an economics major. Economics majors employ these tactics to help organizations make prudent business decisions, as determined by market conditions.
Enroll in an economics degree program like the University of London's online bachelor's in mathematics and economics on edX.
Digital marketing
Online marketing has exploded over the past 15 years. You can help businesses adapt to increasingly digital markets by earning a degree in digital marketing. This major can allow you to explore new marketplaces like social media and develop marketing materials that connect with a modern audience.
Earn a marketing degree online with Maryville University's bachelor's in marketing program on edX.
How to choose the right business major
To determine the right business major for you, consider your desired role and industry.
- For example, people who want to be managers in any industry may decide that a business administration major's broad application best suits their needs.
- However, if you know you want to work in healthcare administration but don't have a specific role in mind, a healthcare management degree may help you qualify for jobs that suit your interests.
You may also want to choose a degree program that sets you up for career longevity. Although you may not need a technical degree for your desired role, having technical skills can create new opportunities for innovation and growth in your workplace.
Because AI and data science are increasingly prevalent in the modern workplace, explore majors that offer relevant skills to serve you through future technological developments.
