Business Career Guide
From start-ups to global corporations, business is huge. Every brand you love, buy from and follow on social media has a business behind the scenes making it all happen. That could be you.
Whether you have plans for world domination or find how companies work super interesting, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
Ready to dive into the business world? Read our complete guide to business careers and discover how to land your dream job.
What is business?
Business is huge. It’s the backbone that keeps these industries running. Whether it’s film, fashion, engineering or science, business is the side that keeps them doing. When you work in business, you get a real look into how a company works.
It’s made up of these key areas:
Marketing. Building brand awareness and attracting customers and clients.
HR. Finding and supporting talent in the workplace
Sales. Connecting products and services with the people who want them
Management. Making sure that parts are running smoothly
Strategy and operations. Planning how a company moves forward.
Let's look at how you can get your foot in the door and start building valuable skills and getting the experience that employers actually want.
How do I get a job in business?
While university is a fantastic way of getting the academic training you need for a job in business, there is more than one way to launch your career.
Work experience is everything. It gives you a unique and first-hand look into the working world and helps you set yourself apart from other candidates. Employers love practical skills, and getting work experience is your golden ticket to developing those skills.
Whether you’re getting ready to finish your GCSEs or about to embark on your first year at university, there’s an avenue for you. Choose one of the below to find out more.
Business Apprenticeships
Thinking about doing an apprenticeship in business? Discover what apprenticeships are out there, how they work and how you get started on one.
Business Degree Apprenticeships
Want to earn a business degree without the tuition fees? You can! A degree apprenticeship will give you all the tools you need to enter the business world, combining real-life experience and a free business degree.
Business Graduate Schemes
If you're in your final year of university and thinking about your next steps, a business graduate scheme could be the perfect way to launch your career. These structured programmes offer hands-on experience, professional development, and the chance to explore different areas of a company, all while building the skills employers are looking for.
Business Internships
Thinking about becoming an accountant? If you’re in your first or second year of university, an accounting placement is exactly what you need. Placements are your golden ticket to becoming work-ready before you graduate.
Business Placements
A business placement is your chance to work full-time at a company. You'll take on meaningful projects, gain confidence and build valuable skills that employers love. All before you graduate.
Consulting Graduate Schemes
If you’re about to graduate, it’s probably time to start looking for a consulting graduate scheme or job to put everything you’ve learned into a real job environment.
Who are the best business employers?
One of the best aspects of business is that there are so many employers offering gold-standard work experience opportunities.
According to our student-written reviews, these are some of the best student employers to work for in business:
“As my first office job, I have learnt and built on many skills. New skills I have acquired include Excel and supplier relationship management (my previous job was as a cashier, so I have now been on both sides of professional transactions). I have been able to build on my communication and teamwork skills. In my previous placement in the apprenticeship, I was part of a small team who were extremely kind, welcoming and helpful. I was able to lean on them when I wasn't sure of something, and I was able to make an actual difference towards the end of the placement, helping out my team where I could." Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics Apprentice, Babcock
What can I do with business work experience?
Your work experience is valuable, no matter where you are in your career journey. Apprenticeships, placements, and internships can help you become work-ready and open doors to exciting roles.
If you're early in your career, further training could be perfect for you. Started a Level 2 apprenticeship? You can progress to Level 3 and work your way up to a degree apprenticeship.
At university? A placement or internship are fantastic opportunities to get in front of employers and snap up a graduate role before graduation.
Here are a few examples of where business work experience can take you:
Business advisor
Business analyst
Senior project manager
Business consultant
Management consultant
Risk manager
HR manager.
What's my earning potential
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to bank some serious cash throughout your career. During your work experience years, you could earn a salary between £21,000 and £29,000 per year.
Once you enter the world of work, your earning potential will broaden a great deal depending on your chosen field. For example:
Marketing assistant. Once you’ve gained a few years of experience, you could earn between £27,000 and £30,000. If you’re looking to work up to a manager position, you could earn up to an impressive £65,000 per year.
Business analyst. You’ll start off earning around £23,000 per year, quickly moving up to as much as £55,000 the more years you put in.
Business project manager. As an entry-level role, you could earn £29,000. Once you gain more experience, you’ll earn up to £75,000.
Whether you’re just starting out or reaching for a leadership role, there’s a lot of opportunity to earn the salary of your dreams.
Find Business Jobs
Ready to find out where your career can take you? Find your perfect role now.
Digital Transformation Degree Apprenticeship - Gardner Aerospace
at QA Limited
- Degree Apprenticeship
- £25,000 - £26,000 per annum
- Derby
First Response Higher Apprenticeship - Harper Macleod
at QA Limited
- Higher Level Apprenticeship
- £22,932
- Glasgow
Project Controller Higher Apprenticeship - At MI-GSO | PCUBED (Oxford)
at QA Limited
- Higher Level Apprenticeship
- £23,000
- Oxford
Project Controller Higher Apprenticeship - MI-GSO | PCUBED
at QA Limited
- Higher Level Apprenticeship
- £23,000
- Greater London
