You want to climb the corporate ladder as much as possible, as quickly as possible. With the right degrees at your disposal, you can put yourself in an excellent position to accomplish your career aspirations.
Research indicates most executives and hiring managers believe a college degree is “very important or essential” for job seekers. It also shows that many employers expect recent graduates to possess the skills and knowledge to succeed in entry-level positions, but not necessarily to be promoted or advance within a company.
Ultimately, a business degree can help you grow your career. Yet, to stand out from other candidates in a fierce job market, you may need to go one step further.
By earning a business-adjacent degree, you can broaden your skill set. Plus, you can add a degree that helps make you an attractive job candidate today, tomorrow, and long into the future.
If you’re on the lookout for a business-adjacent degree program, lots of options are available. Now, let’s look at five business-adjacent degrees that can help you scale the corporate ladder.
1. Accounting
Once you earn a degree in accounting, you’ll know how to put together financial reports and tax documents. Plus, you’ll be able to review business income and expenses and identify ways to help a company get the most value out of the resources at its disposal.
2. Mathematics
You don’t have to be a mathlete to get a mathematics degree that serves you well throughout your career. Those who earn a math degree often possess analytical and problem-solving skills that they can apply to a wide range of business scenarios. Additionally, they can analyze and interpret large data volumes, so they’re well-equipped to generate business insights.
3. Marketing
Those who are interested in consumer retail, public outreach, or brand management can reap significant benefits from a marketing degree. Marketers are generally responsible for assessing demographic data and crafting targeting strategies to ensure a company can hit the mark with its target audience. They also track industry and market trends, develop and execute brand strategies, and explore ways to help a business promote its products and services.
4. Information Systems
An information systems degree can put you in a prime position to become a valuable contributor within a company’s IT department. Along with building your analytical and problem-solving skills, earning an information systems degree allows you to become proficient in coding. As such, you can use your degree to land a job as a software developer, database administrator, or other high-paying information systems role.
5. Human Resources
The human resources department is a vital part of a company’s success. When you earn an HR degree, you can learn myriad communication and conflict resolution skills that come in handy. For instance, you can use your HR skills to help a business keep its workers engaged and improve employee retention. You can also apply your HR knowledge toward the development and implementation of hiring and retention programs.
Additional Tips to Help You Climb the Corporate Ladder
Earning a business-adjacent degree is one of several things that can help you climb the corporate ladder. In fact, there are many small things you can do to advance your career, such as:
- Establish Career Goals: Take a look at what you’ve accomplished in your career thus far and what you want to achieve moving forward. Then, make a list of career goals and steps you can take to accomplish them. It often helps to create goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). These goals can provide the foundation for your climb up the corporate ladder.
- Enroll in Training or Certification Programs: Take advantage of online and in-person training and certification programs that focus on digital marketing and other business topics. It is usually more affordable and less time-intensive to complete a training or certification program in lieu of a degree program. And, like a degree program, a training or certification program can help you build your skillset.
- Explore In-House Training Options: Sign up for any training programs offered by your employer. These programs allow you to show your interest in learning about accounting, HR, and other business departments. They are typically available free of charge, too.
- Grow Your Professional Network: Use LinkedIn and other online platforms to connect with current and past work colleagues. As you build your professional network, keep the lines of communication open. Don’t forget to attend workshops, seminars, and various in-person and online networking events as well. These events can help you connect with like-minded professionals from around the world.
- Take the Lead: Embrace a “can-do” attitude. Capitalize on any learning opportunities that come your way and seek out new ones day after day. Also, monitor your career goals and how you are doing on your quest to achieve them. If you need to modify your goals along the way, make adjustments. In doing so, you can do everything in your power to fulfill your career aspirations.
Begin your climb up the corporate ladder today. Because the sooner you get started, the sooner you can move forward in your career.
