Business Schools and Beyond: Exploring Alternative Paths to Business Education

Business education is evolving to meet the changing needs of the business world. Many students today don’t want to go the traditional route of attending business school. They consider alternatives for various reasons including the expense and time commitment. Fortunately, there are viable alternatives. These alternatives are often more affordable so they don’t leave them in debt. They don’t have to waste time learning what they will never apply in practice. Here are some of the alternatives to traditional business schools and their benefits and challenges.

Online courses 

Business degrees don’t always give students the specific business insights that only come with experience. Experience on the job is valuable in the business world. Students who want a career in business can get employment and take online courses to improve their knowledge and skills. They can access courses in many different business areas at a time that’s suitable for them and work at their own pace. Their employers will value the fact that they are willing to take online courses to improve their business skills. This can open the door to moving up the career ladder. 

Working and taking online courses at the same time can be demanding and time-consuming. Students may find that they need coursework help when doing a business course. Coursework can come in many different forms, from writing a research paper to doing a financial analysis. Students can choose a professional writer with expertise in a particular coursework subject to help them. Discussing the work with a chosen writer helps to ensure a customized end result. Students can also benefit from studying examples of completed work. The writer will make sure all academic requirements are fully met and that the paper is free of plagiarism. 

Online degrees

A successful business education does not depend on a full-time commitment or in-person instruction. Students can work and study for a business degree at the same time. Many highly esteemed universities and colleges now offer online degrees. 

ETEEAP is an alternative learning program that allows working employees to earn a bachelor’s degree. It is targeted at working professionals who didn’t attend college but have relevant experience. Their skills and knowledge are quantified into credit units. These are deducted from the credits they need to complete a degree. A typical bachelor’s degree may only take a year to a year and a half rather than four years. 

What jobs can business majors get?  

• Accountants maintain the financial operations of a company. They will review and analyze financial data and prepare reports on budgets.  
• Development managers help companies identify market trends, find leads, and develop strategies
• Research analysts examine data and prepare reports. They may work with a marketing team to develop strategies and monitor sales. 
• Human resources specialists deal with recruiting, help current employees, and much more. They typically help to resolve any issues employees have relating to their roles or to the company. 
• Financial advisors develop long-term strategies to help companies budget their finances. They can make more informed financial decisions and increase their assets and profits.  

The above are just a few of the high-paying careers for business majors.  

Professional Certifications

Employers in some fields such as healthcare and IT value specialized certifications as much as a degree and sometimes even more so. Students can seek certification in a particular business area. They will need to pass exams and prove their competence in the field. 

Companies may even pay for employees to get certifications. Some common certification programs include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Universities often offer online certifications at an affordable cost. Many of these certifications focus on managerial processes. This may include areas such as change management or organizational training. 

Community colleges

Community colleges are less expensive than traditional four-year colleges. Students can do associate degrees at community colleges in two years. The shorter timeline is often attractive to older students. They can move into and advance in their careers while still working towards higher-level credentials. Ongoing learning is essential in the business world which is constantly changing. 

Alternative majors to business

Some employers just want to know if students have a bachelor’s degree because they will train them for a specific position after they are hired. Majors similar to business that could help students in a career in business include:

• Economics
• Advertising
• Information systems
• Marketing
• Actuarial science
• Statistics
• Operations management
• Health sciences

These are just some of the majors that can set students on business career paths. It is a diverse field with room for many different specializations.

Bootcamps

Participating in boot camps is popular today, especially coding boot camps. Bootcamps provide a very different experience to a traditional classroom. The specialized intensive training usually lasts for a period of a month or two and has a practical focus. 

Bootcamps allow for quick specialization in areas of technology in demand in the business world today. There are keys to achieving optimal training. This lies in a concentrated agenda, small numbers, and total immersion in practical aspects. Bootcamps offer up-to-date and quality training in a short amount of time and at an affordable price. 

Business mentors

One of the best ways to progress in a business career is from someone with a deep understanding of what it requires. Most successful business professionals have benefited from the advice of mentors. They can provide answers to questions and give valuable advice. They are knowledgeable about strategies that work due to learning from their mistakes. A long-lasting relationship with a mentor can offer access to consistent guidance and resources. 

Every student’s journey is different and going the traditional route is not always the best route. Careers in the business world are very diverse and there are many alternative routes to success. Students should research all the alternatives before making their decisions. Gaining practical experience and doing online business courses is a popular option today. Online options offer convenience, accessibility, and flexibility to students and often cost less.