A Day in the Life: Business Administration

On a typical day, a business administrator oversees the general operations of an organization or department. This may include supporting and overseeing teams, problem solving, developing and implementing plans, and meeting goals. A business administrator focuses on the work being done and the results that work is producing. Monitoring productivity and accounting are cornerstone responsibilities of a business administrator.

Managers supervise the clerical and administrative personnel in an organization or department. They can recommend and implement changes in policies and procedures so that goals are met more quickly with better results.

Some business administrators focus mostly on records and information management, which is experiencing employment growth. The growing reliance on cloud-based computing and record keeping has influenced the need for more information managers who can work with new technology and help their organizations move from older ways of record keeping.

Work Environment for Business Administrators

Generally, business administrators work in an office. They may interact with different departments or oversee one main department. Most business administrators work full time during normal business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). One of the main components of a business administrator’s day is spending time communicating with both staff and executives.

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Many administrators work in industries such as healthcare, state and local government, finance, insurance and education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 14 percent of all administrators work in education, 13 percent work in healthcare and social assistance, and 11 percent work for local and state government.

The Daily Tasks of a Business Administrator

Managers act as a liaison between the top tier of an organization and the rest of the staff. Managers must be able to translate the goals of the executives into a productive strategy and achievable work goal for different departments or teams. Setting schedules and timelines for meeting goals and executing strategies are part of a business administrator’s general tasks.

A business administrator employs the following skills:

• communication
• flexibility
• patience
• leadership
• innovation and creativity
• ability to multitask
• problem solving
• attention to detail

When considering whether you would be a good business administrator, ask yourself if you have the ability to use all of these skills on a regular basis.

Career Growth

The BLS projects 8 percent growth for this occupation by 2024, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, there will be a greater level of competition for the limited number of high-level management positions. Because the healthcare industry is experiencing growth, more administrators are needed.

Salary Potential

The BLS reports that the average annual salary is $83,790. Operations specialties managers specifically make an average of $105,750 a year. Those who work in the finance and insurance industry earn an average of $95,720.

Education Requirements

Entering the field of business administration requires at least a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in business administration provides students with the skills they need to succeed in a management capacity. Career advancement can be made easier by earning a Online MBA. These programs offers advanced knowledge for becoming a better manager.