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Did you know that there are at least 33 million small businesses and enterprises in the United States? They are top economic drivers that employ some of the most hardworking and smart individuals who know how to make money!
Entrepreneurship and small business are career pathways for those who have a thirst for businesses that operate on a lower scale than corporations or companies—but demonstrate strong ROIs nevertheless!
Comparing Entrepreneurship vs Small Business
Both career pathways necessitate a strong academic know-how, but how exactly do they compare to each other? Here’s a chart to show you that!
How Can You Get Started in Entrepreneurship?
Investing in a degree that guides you through theory and practice is a wise choice if you’re truly pursuing a career in entrepreneurship. As a modern entrepreneur, you have to be open-minded and creative, think out of the box, be open to feedback, and not be afraid to fail.
While skills are crucial to pursue this path, a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship degree equips you with the knowledge of the fundamentals of Accounting, Marketing, Management, and Finance. offered by prestigious colleges and universities today.
By pursuing a graduate degree in Entrepreneurship, you learn the principles of social branding, venture capital, leading startups, and private equity—all relevant to landing high positions in enterprises or developing your own entrepreneurial project.
To enhance your skill set even further, conduct research projects, make an effort to network professionally, and participate in business internships that enable you to apply your knowledge to real-world work scenarios.
Be on top of your game through workshops beyond the classroom. Consider entrepreneurship classes you can attend for free!
Essential Skills of An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs frequently take on several responsibilities to establish and expand a company. It calls for a diverse set of skills, primarily:
- Business management
- Risk-taking
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Customer service
Jobs for Entrepreneur Degree Holders
Entrepreneurship majors qualify for these occupations, often based on their academic attainment and experience:
| Entrepreneur Degree Job | Annual median pay |
| CEO | $189,520 |
| Business Consultant | $104,300 |
| Financial Analyst | $96,220 |
| HR Specialists/Recruiter | $64,240 |
Opportunities for Advancement in Entrepreneurship
Enrolling in graduate programs in Entrepreneurship is an excellent way to grow your entrepreneurial mind. By enriching your arsenal of knowledge with entrepreneurial theories, principles, and strategies, you become better equipped and prepared for the challenges of the job.
An MBA in Entrepreneurship is a popular choice. This program enables professionals to qualify for executive roles in enterprises, organizations, startups, and non-profits.
Even better, you can pursue a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship program to become adept in how the financial industry works. As a Doctor of Entrepreneur, you can also pursue research and teaching professions.
To Be or Not to Be
Why Entrepreneurship could be for you:
- You can pursue innovative ideas despite economic saturation and market pressure.
- You are creative, determined, and open to adjusting your problem-solving approach.
- You are willing to learn the technicalities, principles, and processes relevant to entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship isn’t for you if:
- You want to hear only positive things from others and your team.
- There’s no curiosity in you and no desire to continuously learn.
- You aren’t interested in researching industry trends or business forecasts.
How Can You Get Started in Small Business?
Being a small business owner doesn’t require a fancy education—but a strong academic background does elevate your skills!
You can start with an Associate in Small Business degree and pursue a bachelor’s program with a Small Business Management concentration.
The focus of the Small Business degree program is operations and management. As such, the coursework typically involves contemporary business theories and practices, as well as social and legal concerns of small enterprises.
The majority of programs include complementary General Education subjects in the Humanities, Sciences, and the Arts. As a Small Business major, you will learn specifically about financial systems, business ethics, marketing management, organizational planning, and organizational behavior.
Essential Skills of A Small Business Owner
Small Business degree programs develop these key skills that make you a competent candidate for jobs or an owner yourself:
- Leadership
- Networking Skills
- Project Management Skills
- Marketing Skills
Jobs for Small Business Degree Holders
With a Small Business major or concentration, you can land these jobs:
| Small Business Degree Job | Annual median pay |
| Business Analyst | $95,290 |
| Project Manager | $95,370 |
| Sales Representative | $67,750 |
Opportunities for Advancement in Small Business
Small business owners can advance their studies by enrolling in a Master’s degree in business management with a small business management concentration. This usually runs for two years, with topics covering management or leadership as well as higher-level coursework.
Depending on the position, specialization, and industry, you will remain a competitive candidate if you have a master’s degree.
To Be or Not to Be
Why Small Business could be for you:
- You can handle tasks that are otherwise delegated in departments in larger businesses.
- You are willing to learn strategies that match your goal to become profitable.
- You are curious about integrating modern technology into business operations.
Small Business isn’t for you if:
- You aren’t comfortable with working in a team and communicating with others.
- You are not ready to make solid business decisions.
- You are not interested in acquiring a wide range of up-to-date business expertise for advancement.
Summary
Entrepreneurship and Small Business careers may seem a lot like each other, but they’re different in scope, techniques, objectives, and outcomes. Even so, both career paths can be promising if you lay a solid foundation in business operations and management, which you can gain from top-notch Entrepreneur and Small Business degree programs.
While business acumen and financial savvy matter to enterprise and small business work, do not discount the value of communication, leadership, strategy, critical thinking, and persistence to truly reach your goal!
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