BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND WHO IS A BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR?
Business Administration is a field of study that is designed to prepare students for effective careers in the management of private and non-profit organizations in Zambia and around the world. The curriculum helps students develop the conceptual, human, technical and operational knowledge and skills that are critical for success.
The person who has studied Business Administration is called a business administrator. Business Administration can lead to careers in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, human resource management, international business, and marketing. Armed with a thorough knowledge of business principles and practice, graduates have gone on to pursue careers as accountants, financial analysts, policy analysts, corporate executives, civil servants, independent entrepreneurs, marketing managers, human resource managers and much more.
WHERE DO BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION GRADUATES WORK?
Business Administrators work in every industry, from small businesses to large firms with thousands of employees. They work as Marketing and Sales Managers, A marketing and sales manager oversees a company’s sales team and is ultimately responsible for revenue production within an organization. They work for consultancy firms as Business Consultants, Business consultants, also referred to as management consultants, they help companies propose ways to improve a business’s efficiency. They work for large organisations and corporations like ZESCO Limited as commercial analysts, business development officers and Financial Analysts, Financial analysts gather data such as earnings releases, run financial models and make financial recommendations. They work as Market Research Analysts, a market research analyst helps a company understand who their customers are, what products they should be selling, and how they can successfully promote those products. They work as HR managers in every industry, while the primary function of human resources specialists is to recruit, screen, interview and hire employees, most human resources specialists are trained in all HR functions, and therefore they frequently handle other human resources work, such as employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
In business, the day-to-day tasks are just as important as long-term outlooks for the future. A business administrator is involved in all areas of the business, including IT, communication, marketing and finance/accounting. Business administrators are expected to work regularly with computers, compile information, be involved in decision-making and problem solving, and communicate with staff and process information. On the job, business administrators are expected to:
Provide office support and manage activities related to the business, setting up meetings, scheduling appointments, sorting documents, Oversee organisational budgets and finances, Organise invoicing, Keep well-organised files and records of business activity, Assist in project management, Analyse financial statements and sales reports, Establish organisational goals, policies and procedures, Negotiate or approve contracts and agreements and In some cases, act as an office all-rounder, meaning they can handle any kind of office administrative tasks.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR?
If one is working for a government departments or any other business company they typically follow the normal 08hrs to 17hrs work schedule Monday to Friday and they are also entitled to other public holidays depending on the schedule of the organization one is working for.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
A qualification in business administration is very marketable, it provides you with the skills and knowledge today’s employers are seeking. You can pursue a wide variety of career paths. From working at leading corporations to entrepreneurship, the diverse education you’ll receive in business administration can prepare you for a variety of careers and in a variety of Companies and organisations. We are living in a fast-paced, global business world. You won’t just learn about the newest business technologies and innovations, you’ll learn how to use that information to give organizations a competitive, innovative edge and you are likely to get a job faster as compared to other occupations because it sets you apart from other job candidates, an important advantage in an increasingly competitive job market. Employers know that a qualification in Business Administration from a well-known institution in Zambia is designed not only to equip you with a diverse set of business skills you can apply even while you’re still learning, but also to help you develop the critical thinking skills needed to solve business problems in a real-world environment.
The private sector especially the business sector and other Organisation is the largest employer of business administration graduates, the public sector also employs but not to the great extent.
SALARY RANGES AND WHAT CONTROLS IT?
The salary of a business administrator can greatly vary on the budgets of the company, your experience, qualifications and many other factors. For those working in Zambia in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations as of 2020 their range is typically from 3,618 ZMK (minimum salary) to 10,461 ZMK (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). This is the total monthly salary including bonuses. Human Resources is typically from 3,372 ZMK (minimum salary) to 11,170 ZMK (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). A person working as a Financial Analyst in Zambia typically earns around 7,620 ZMK per month. Salaries range from 3,890 ZMK (lowest) to 11,700 ZMK (highest).
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy being a business administrator, you need to be a person who loves Time Management, it’s a key business administration skill to possess because most times you will be writing a list of all the tasks you need to do in a day, allocating a time value to each one. You also need to be someone who enjoys Problem Solving, Problems do crop up from time to time. But if you can bring a solution to the problem, instead of just highlighting what’s wrong, then you’re well on the way to winning at this key skill. You also need be someone who is good at Budget Management, this is another vital skill that employers need on the team. The ability to manage money from petty cash to huge budgets for events and salaries is hugely important in the workplace. Keep detailed notes of all money that flows in or out of your work account, and keep a paper trail. When it comes to cash, it’s important to be able to prove where things went, and that you were authorized to pay for something at all.
WHERE CAN I STUDY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, FOR HOW LONG, TO EARN WHAT QUALIFICATION?
In Zambia you can study BBAs in Business Administration at UNZA, ZCAS, CBU, UNILUS and Bachelor of Business Administration Banking and Finance at Cavendish University, diploma in Business and Management Studies at Evelyn Hone College and Lusaka Business Technical Business College.
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
When you enrol in any university in Zambia you are expected to do the following subjects: Principles of business administration, Study and Communication skills, Principles of Accounting, Management essentials for today’s business, Mathematical Analysis, Business Environment, Essentials of Business Law, Macroeconomics, Marketing Basics for Competitive Positioning, Intermediate Economic Theory, Introduction to Information System, Decision Making Techniques, Managerial Finance, Management Accounting, Financial Information System, Decision Making Techniques, Operations Management, Managerial Economics, Operations Research, Public Finance, Business Forecasting, Company Law, Research Methods, Human Resource Management 1, Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, Marketing Research. These subjects run from first year up to fourth year and you have to do at least four each semester.
WHAT MODES OF STUDY ARE AVAILABLE?
At all the colleges and universities mentioned above, only full-time, part time and distance are available.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
To qualify for this program you need to have (5) Ordinary levels including Mathematics and English, a diploma from a well-recognised college is an added advantage.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR To work as a business administrator, there is no alternative qualification apart from business based qualification such as economics, marketing, accounting but typically a Zambian business administrator needs to have a degree in business administration.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Once you study Business Administration, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree in Business Admiration (MBA), or labour relations or Economics or Public administration. A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to finding new jobs in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well.
The reason you need to advance your qualifications is because, the workforce is becoming more diverse every day. Hence the need to advance your career for increased retention rate, a higher retention rate is beneficial to the organization because it reduces the cost of hiring. Some organizations need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a manager. Although a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for most positions, some jobs require a master’s degree. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills. Some higher level jobs require a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or other related fields like Marketing or Human Resources Management.