Beyond the boardrooms: Surprising places you can work with a business degree

When most people think of a business degree, the image that pops up is often a sharply dressed executive closing deals in a high-rise office in Manhattan. But today, that picture is far too narrow. The world of business has expanded well beyond Wall Street, making room for creative thinkers, social changemakers, and logistical masterminds in sectors as varied as healthcare, entertainment, education, and even construction. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a business degree is one of the most flexible and in-demand qualifications across nearly every industry.

Beyond the Boardroom: Business Jobs in Unexpected Fields
While it’s true that business degrees open doors to traditional roles in finance, accounting, and corporate management, they also provide the skills needed to thrive in unconventional arenas. Take healthcare, for instance. The field is projected to see rapid growth in the coming decade, with medical and health services managers increasingly needed to oversee operations in hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers. Their task isn’t clinical—it’s organizational: ensuring smooth workflow, managing budgets, and interpreting data to improve care delivery.

In the world of fashion and entertainment, business professionals are the silent powerhouses behind every successful brand and blockbuster. From marketing managers crafting viral campaigns to financial analysts predicting box office returns, the creative industries depend on strategic business acumen to flourish.

Even nonprofits and government bodies are on the lookout for business-savvy individuals who can drive budgets, streamline logistics, and lead initiatives. A business graduate with a passion for social impact might find just as much fulfillment working on urban development projects or educational policy as they would in a corporate skyscraper.

A Field That’s Growing—and Paying
The numbers speak volumes. In 2023 alone, more than 24 million Americans were employed in business-related occupations. And over the next decade, that number is expected to rise by 1.7 million new jobs—well above the average growth across all sectors. This boom isn’t just about job availability—it’s also about compensation.

BLS data shows that nearly every occupation within the business and financial operations or management categories had wages higher than the national median. While the average salary across all occupations was $48,060 in 2023, business and financial operations roles brought in a median of $79,050, and management positions soared even higher, with a median wage of $116,880. Topping the list? Chief executives, whose earnings were more than four times the national median.

But these financial rewards aren’t limited to top-tier roles. Entry-level positions can offer solid starting pay, and many paths within the business field lead to rapid growth and increased responsibilities.

Degrees That Deliver
One reason for the popularity of business degrees is their built-in versatility. Whether you’re specializing in marketing, logistics, accounting, or general administration, the curriculum tends to combine both hard and soft skills—communication, leadership, data analysis, and tech literacy—that are applicable across diverse settings.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, business remains the most awarded bachelor’s degree field in the U.S., maintaining its top spot since the 1980s. And it’s not just a favorite among undergraduates—graduate students also flock to business schools for advanced degrees in management and finance.

Even more encouraging, nearly half of all professionals with a bachelor’s degree in business were working in roles directly related to business or management in 2022. This suggests not only a strong job market but also a clear trajectory from classroom to career.

Experience or Enthusiasm: There’s Room for Both
While many management positions require prior experience in a related field—such as construction managers who’ve worked on-site before moving into leadership roles—others are open to enthusiastic newcomers. Fields like training and development, personal financial advising, and project coordination offer entry points for recent graduates with the right blend of education and drive.

In some cases, additional certifications—like the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential—can give jobseekers an edge. Still, the core of a successful business career lies in the ability to think critically, solve problems, adapt to changing environments, and lead with confidence.

Business Is Everywhere
If you're studying business or considering entering the field, don’t feel boxed into finance or consulting. The skills you acquire are not just transferrable—they're transformative. Whether you're organizing a concert tour, overseeing a public health campaign, managing the finances of a startup, or helping a nonprofit expand its outreach, your business degree can take you there.

So the next time someone asks where you plan to work with your business degree, you might just surprise them by answering: “Anywhere I want.”