There are many things you can do with a business degree, and the way today's students go about getting educated has greatly evolved even compared to five or 10 years ago. Keep reading to learn about some examples that may even make you want to pursue a business degree of your own.
Internships and Study Abroad Opportunities Supplement Classroom Education
In the past, business education was largely focused on classroom lectures; however, contemporary professors have realized students can often learn just as much or even more when they go outside their comfort zones. Sometimes that means accepting multiple internships throughout a college experience, not just during senior year. In other cases, it may involve studying abroad to understand how businesses run in foreign countries. Today, a student can earn a concentration in European Business while living and learning in Antwerp, Belgium.
Students Can Watch Free Lectures Via Video Streams
Before the Internet really gained momentum, prospective business students were often hindered by problems such as a lack of money for college courses, or not having easy access to experienced professors. Those are problems of the past, especially since many innovative websites offer an enticing range of business courses taught by top professors. At one website called Academic Earth, there are over 200 business courses alone, and some are given by academic leaders from standout universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now, as long as you have a desire to learn and a reliable Internet connection, there's almost no limit to what you could do.
The Internet Offers Full Degree Programs
A lecture series about business is helpful if you want to supplement your education in very specific ways, but many people feel compelled to go further by getting an entire degree, such as an executive MBA online. Methods of delivering lesson plans have significantly improved so people can study and learn together regardless of area or time zone. Internet courses are excellent for people who may otherwise delay pursuing higher education because of other obligations like caring for children or following alternative career paths.
Learners Develop and Market Actual Products
Classes of the past usually involved just reading about product marketing and development, but some of today's students dive right into the business world by working with real-life companies that need products developed to fit particular needs. North Carolina State University, for example, has a practicum program called the Product Innovation Lab. It was recognized by Forbes because of the opportunities enrolled individuals enjoy. The program began in 2002, and since then, students learned to create and promote things like smart meters for the utilities industry and special blankets for wheelchair users.
Clearly, business education isn't what it used to be, and that's a very positive thing. There are many sectors of business, but the common thing between them is they're all adapting very quickly to meet customer needs and keep pace with contemporary times. Fortunately, today's business educators are boldly rising to the challenge of equipping today's students to succeed in an ever-changing industry.