Most undergraduate programs allow professionals to work in different areas, which makes it possible to specialize in that line of work. In this article, see the main areas of business administration to build a career in today.
While studying, a person can get to know each of these areas, and during their career they can change direction and field of work. So the business administration program is an interesting idea for anyone who wants the freedom to work in many roles.
The Main Trends in Business Administration Areas
Before we get to the first topics, consider that a good administrator is one who has broad knowledge and an overall view of the business world. This includes an understanding of technology, systems, and especially data interpretation.
1 – Sustainability
We could not have started any other way: sustainability is on the agenda of the main meetings around the world and fits every type of company. For administrators, it is very interesting because it opens the way for a new type of specialization.
For those who have not caught on yet, consider that many companies are looking for a better balance between so-called “savage capitalism” and other areas, such as economic, social, and environmental concerns. This is the famous ESG, which you should know about, so stay alert.
2 – Human Resources
Another of the areas of administration is human resources, one of the options available to newly graduated business administrators who want to gain experience working with people. HR, as it is known, takes care of human capital and of ways to benefit both employees and the company.
One of HR’s main responsibilities is the process of recruitment, hiring, and training, in addition to creating career plans. Today, one advantage an administrator can have is strengthening organizational culture through internal communication.
3 – Auditing
Although it is less sought after by recent graduates, the auditing field has proven important, especially in civil service exams, because it offers the best salaries for administrators. The auditor evaluates a company’s processes to determine whether they are adequate.
So, by conducting an audit, professionals become qualified to guide the entire company regarding laws, rules, and possible practices. Their work is seen as necessary for correcting errors and increasing productivity.
4 – Marketing
Ah, the marketing field is on the rise. It is a trend in various career plans published on LinkedIn. For business administration students, this is a modern reference, indicating a concern with strengthening brands and finding the best customers.
What can an administrator who works in marketing do on the job? Among the duties, we can mention conducting market research, defining a consumer audience, suggesting optimizations in business processes, and others.
5 – E-commerce
Do not confuse them: digital marketing is included in e-commerce and vice versa. However, in the topic above we looked at attracting customers, for example. In e-commerce, the concept is much more about sales, but digital sales, those that happen on the internet.
An e-commerce specialist can be an administrator with knowledge in several areas, from the consumer audience to sales strategies. So they need to know about websites, logistics, organization, platforms, and much more.
6 – Customer Service
This function overlaps with several others, but don’t worry, it is easy to understand. Nowadays, companies are hiring employees to work directly in customer service, in pursuit of the best customer experience. This is yet another area of administration to know about!
If marketing has the job of attracting customers, we can consider that customer service is what will secure that goal, in addition to building customer loyalty. There are studies, techniques, and strategies entirely focused on customer service.
7 – Logistics
With the international product market growing more and more, logistics has gained strength in our country, and companies are looking for people who can handle the subject strategically. That is where the business administrator comes in.
This sector is responsible for producing, storing, transporting, and delivering goods, regardless of distance, size, or type of material. To help with the mission, software and technology apps are used, which are useful in day-to-day work.
8 – Supply
In supply, administration professionals can work in several positions, one of which is purchasing manager and another is supply manager. What is the idea? To provide good deals, reducing costs and raising the quality of the sector as a whole.
A great example is the hospital sector and healthcare as a whole. During the pandemic, it was widely mentioned, and only well-prepared managers managed to get good results in purchasing vaccines, medicines, materials, equipment, and so on.
9 – Finance
The administrator who works in finance is seen as someone successful because salaries are higher than in many of the other areas of administration. The professional is a multitasker, responsible for controlling financial resources of all kinds.
This includes taxes, payments, and several other responsibilities. With data in hand, in the form of reports, the financial administrator can take part in the decision-making of managers and directors, contributing to the company’s growth and investment.
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10 – Sales
Unlike the finance area above, consider that the administrator who aims to work in sales is the one who will have to gather efforts and tools to deliver a buying journey that goes through several stages. The actions range from the simple to the most sophisticated.
The administrator has the advantage of studying the variables that influence the target audience’s purchase decision, tracking and evaluating possible improvements in each period. Many account executives previously held a sales position, did you know?
11 – Academia
The academic field is one of the most lucrative for administrators. It is about teaching classes, giving presentations, and working in schools, colleges, and courses. Generally, with a postgraduate degree, it is possible to become a university professor, which carries great status.
By the way, the university professor is a researcher, which means they maintain academic output throughout the many years of work. So it is a job only for those who like to study, read, and write. The professor who teaches undergraduate classes is paid per class.
12 – Consulting
Brazil still has the culture that a consultant is someone with more experience in their field. However, this has opened a new field, for those who specialize in teaching other people, but it is different from being a professor, for example.
The consultant is much more focused on the job market, getting involved in analyses and processes aimed at optimizations or ways of expanding their business. Their job is to find a solution for every situation that exists in the market.
Which Is the Best Area of Administration?
Every area of administration can be the best one for you. What will tell you is the success you have in your career, based on the theory and practice you learned in your degree. Of course, sooner or later, you will like one area more than another.
But a logistics administrator can be just as successful as a strategic manager, and the same goes for all the other areas. For that, however, the tip is to be fit to carry out your duties in the job market, which is very broad and dynamic.
It is increasingly common to find young administrators in leadership positions. The reason is that they have full, real conditions to work in strategic positions, which demand quick and assertive decision-making.
Do you feel ready for that? Before answering the question, consider the importance of studying at an educational institution that has the structure and expertise to guide your next steps toward a successful career.
Get to know FAPUGA, the college with the best on-campus undergraduate programs in Hospital Management and Business Administration in the East Zone of São Paulo (SP).
