Written By
GCE Editorial Team
A business management degree can open doors to careers in leadership, finance, marketing, HR and entrepreneurship. It builds skills in strategy, organization and decision-making, preparing graduates to manage teams and drive business success.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Program Manager of the Colangelo College of Business on June 25, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Business management involves organizing a company’s people, resources and activities to accomplish long-term objectives in alignment with its mission and values. A company’s goals typically include generating profit and delivering innovative products or services to consumers.
So, what can you do with a business management degree? There is a broad range of potential opportunities, and not all of them are within for-profit companies. In fact, many business management professionals work for nonprofit groups.1
In a nonprofit, the goal is to connect a particular population to needed resources in a fiscally responsible manner. Nonprofits are accountable to their donors and must use funds ethically, reducing overhead when possible, to maximize impact. Professionals with a background in business management may be especially effective in these settings.
With a business management degree, you may be prepared to pursue a wide range of business and management careers, such as positions as a human resources manager, financial manager or project manager. Keep in mind, however, that most employers also require relevant work experience for management careers. If you are looking for opportunities to advance your management skills, you may wish to earn your master’s degree in business in the field after completing your bachelor's degree.
As you explore the types of business degrees and career options, consider whether these choices might fit into your intended career path.
Since business management is such a broad field, it’s common for professionals to specialize. Some specializations even fall under marketing and are also standalone. There are many paths to choose from, including:
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Explore business management degrees at GCU and begin planning your career.
Now that you’re familiar with the field and the different types of business management degrees available, you may wish to consider whether any specific career paths within the field could align with your interests. Graduates with a business management degree may pursue a variety of career paths depending on their interests, experience and any additional qualifications, including the following:
Some graduates may pursue roles in marketing and, with experience, work toward positions such as a marketing manager, which involve establishing and maintaining the company’s brand voice and overseeing communications between the business and its customers. Depending on the size of the company, a marketing manager may supervise multiple employees in the marketing department.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for advertising, promotions and marketing managers to be 8% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average. This rate of job growth indicates that employers expect to hire approximately 31,100 new marketing managers through this time period.3
While financial manager roles typically require a strong background in finance, some business management graduates may choose to pursue additional education or experience in finance to work toward this type of role. They are primarily responsible for evaluating the company’s financial performance and comparing that to its objectives. They develop financial statements and reports, identify cost reduction strategies, advise top executives and supervise financial analysts.
The BLS estimates the job growth rate for financial managers to be 17% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than average. This rate of job growth indicates that employers may hire about 138,300 new financial managers over this time period.4
A company’s HR department is responsible for its most important asset: its employees. HR experts are responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing and hiring job candidates. They deal with employees’ compensation and benefits packages, and they apply conflict resolution skills to manage workplace disputes. HR managers may supervise a team of HR specialists.
Companies often rely on their HR department to create programs and strategies that align with the business’ long-term growth objectives. HR managers may be tasked with developing training programs and workshops for the employees, for example, or researching effective methods of retaining top talent. It’s their role to ensure a high level of employee satisfaction, as well as workplace productivity.
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for human resources managers is expected to be 6% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average.5
Graduates who are passionate about serving the public may explore opportunities in nonprofit or community-based organizations, with the potential to grow into roles such as social and community service manager over time. These professionals coordinate programs designed to provide needed services and resources to the public, and they may work to secure funding for those programs. Some programs might focus on eliminating child hunger, for instance, while others may be aimed at providing healthcare to unhoused individuals.
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for social and community service managers is expected to be 8% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average.6
Some graduates may pursue entry-level roles in the entertainment or recreation industries, and with experience, work toward management positions that involve planning and directing programs and operations that pertain to physical fitness, entertainment and leisure activities. They might plan a schedule of activities, manage daily operations, develop budgets and ensure facilities are safe and accessible to all. They may manage staff members, as well as liaise directly with activity participants.
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for entertainment and recreation managers is expected to be 11% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than average.7
Graduates interested in manufacturing or operations may begin in support or supervisory roles, with the potential to advance into positions such as industrial production manager where they oversee daily plant operations, such as those that produce automobiles, paper products or electronics. They are responsible for allocating resources and assigning workers in a way that achieves the plant’s production quotas, keeping an eye on production scheduling and budgeting. They also need to ensure that the plant and its procedures fulfill all applicable safety requirements.
Organizations generally strive to encourage employees to participate in continuing education and development initiatives so that they can get better at doing their jobs. Some graduates may pursue roles in employee development or training coordination, and with experience, may work toward becoming training and development managers who plan and implement professional learning programs. They may create training budgets, identify goals, select training books, course materials, supplies and equipment and oversee instructors.
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for training and development managers is expected to be 7% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average.8
Graduates interested in project coordination may pursue roles that support project management, with the potential to grow into project manager positions over time. Project managers work on everything from budgeting and scheduling to task allocation and productivity monitoring. They may communicate with clients to identify the project's overall goals and parameters, select vendors as needed, assign responsibilities to staff members and monitor progress.
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for project management specialists is expected to be 7% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average. This indicates that employers expect to hire about 69,900 new project management specialists during this time period.9
Some graduates may pursue roles in business analysis or operations support, and with further experience or education, may work toward becoming management analysts who help organizations improve efficiency and effectiveness. They identify means of improving revenue and lowering costs and liaise with executives to discuss their recommendations. Financial data analysis, personnel interviews and onsite observations are some of their primary tasks.
According to the BLS, the projected job growth rate for management analysts is expected to be 11% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than average. This indicates a need for about 107,900 new management analysts during this time period.10
A business management degree teaches the core competencies of running a business, including leadership, strategic planning and employee management. This degree can be earned at either the bachelor's or master’s level. One option is the Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree program or a similar bachelor's program in:
Before selecting a bachelor’s degree, you may want to speak with a university counselor to explore the types of jobs you may be qualified to pursue with any given degree. In addition, consider your passions and interests. If you would like to open your own bed and breakfast or hotel, for example, you may want to explore hospitality management competencies.
If you decide to further your academic qualifications with a master’s degree, you could pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. As with the baccalaureate level, you can choose an MBA with a specialization that aligns with your career interests. GCU offers evening and online programs to accommodate working professionals.
While only you can decide if this degree aligns with your goals, its versatility makes it appealing to a wide range of professionals. This credential may open doors across multiple industries and sectors—including nonprofits.1
A degree in business management might be the right choice if any of the following statements apply to you:
If you’re still not sure whether a degree in business management might be right for you, consider talking to a student advisor or career counselor for personalized guidance.
You can prepare for your future at Grand Canyon University. The Colangelo College of Business offers multiple on-campus and online degree options in this field, including the Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree program.
Working professionals who are interested in positioning themselves to potentially further their career prospects may consider earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at GCU, with the option to specialize in areas such as cybersecurity, health systems management and project management.
While the roles often overlap, business management professionals primarily focus on managing people—assessing productivity, conducting evaluations, and improving efficiency. Business administration professionals typically manage day-to-day operations, including implementing policies, hiring staff and streamlining processes.2
