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So you want to become a manager of a successful business after you graduate from university. Which means that you have to study a Bachelors degree in Business and Management, right?

Well, it’s kind of right. Of course, the theoretical and practical modules you will take during this degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge required in order to gain a management position within the business industry. However, you might be surprised to learn that this isn’t your only option.

Despite what you might think, there are other routes which will help you on your way to your chosen career. Yet students repeatedly believe that this is their only option, often as a result of the well-meaning advice given to them by those who logically think that majoring in Business and Management is the best and only way become a business manager.

But however good their intentions, it is important to remember that there are alternative options which may be better suited to you and your interests. The higher education sector and job markets have changed a lot over the past few years, and the variety of degree courses on offer to secure your place in the business sector are huge, so why limit yourself to the conventional pathway?

There’s more than one way to become a business manager.

Think about the specific area of business you want to work in. If you have a passion for customer service and working with people to give them a unique and memorable experience, a degree in Events, Hospitality, or Tourism sounds like it could be right for you. Some universities will even give you the opportunity to combine two or more of these areas. Or how about healthcare? Do you plan on securing a management position within a hospital or the healthcare sector? If so, a degree in Healthcare Management will help you to achieve this.  

Contrary to popular belief, it is not even necessary to have ‘management’ in the title of a degree course to enable you to get a senior position. Degrees in Accounting and Finance will incorporate a number of modules including financial analysis and taxation, which can lead to a career in risk or payroll management. Modules in consumer behaviour, digital marketing, and communications can be combined under a Marketing degree to help you secure that position of Marketing Manager you’ve been dreaming of.

Different types of business and industry sectors.

If you are unsure about which area of business you want to work in, then a Business and Management degree will likely be the most suitable, as the skills you will gain can easily be transferred into other sectors. But if you have a real passion for a specific industry, then why not spend three or four years of your undergraduate degree focusing on that area, especially if it something you really enjoy?

When deciding on which course to pursue, spend time looking at more than just the degree title, as this can often be misleading. Instead, sit down with your parents and read through the module descriptors to find out exactly what the course involves. And if need additional guidance, you can always refer to a dedicated education counsellor to help you on your way to secure that top management position. 

Images via Shutterstock

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