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How to Become a Business Operations Specialist

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Man Studying Project Management on His Laptop

Recently, we discussed what project management is, why it’s important, and how to go about launching a career in the field. Today, we’ll look closely at a single career path and explore how to become a business operations specialist.

As part of our discussion, we’ll discuss what business operations specialists actually do and we’ll look at which degree you should get if you want to start a career as a business operations specialist.

Finally, we’ll explain why you should think about earning your Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Project Management online from CSU Global.

If you’re interested in the efficient operations of all business departments and have strong organizational skills, then this article may help you understand if a career as a business operations specialist is right for you.

Once you’ve finished learning all about this career path, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our online Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management or our online Master’s Degree in Project Management. If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Is Business Operations Specialist a Good Career?

Yes, becoming a business operations specialist is a great career, especially if you are an organized and detail-oriented professional with an interest in maintaining the smooth operations of an organization.

One positive thing about this career is the potential financial benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for business operations specialists in 2021 was $79,240. In some industries, the annual wage was as high as $112,000 in 2021, making this a potentially lucrative career choice.

Business operations specialists are in demand across many different industries, from computer systems design to banking. Because of this, there may be many job opportunities for qualified professionals ready to take on the day-to-day operations of businesses operating within these industries.

If you’re interested in using your capacity for organizing to ensure efficient workflow across departments, earning a degree like CSU Global’s Masters in Project Management is one of the best ways to gain the skills you need to break into this field. 

What Do Business Operations Specialists Actually Do?

Business operations specialists are primarily concerned with managing the workflow throughout a business in order to optimize daily activities and improve performance across the board. These professionals can work in a supervisory or managerial capacity or they might be focused more on the analytical side of things, depending on the industry.

Although the responsibilities of a business operations specialist may change depending on the organization, there are a few key tasks that they should be prepared to perform, including:

  • Planning, organizing, and coordinating functions relating to business operations.
  • Maintaining a clean and up-to-date client, contractor, or customer management system.
  • Help with interviewing, screening, and onboarding new hires.
  • Coordinate between departments to ensure optimal productivity.
  • Monitor expenses and manage the budget alongside the financial or accounting departments.

Business operations specialists are vital to the productivity of an organization and as such, it is essential that these professionals are experts in the core project management skills needed for this role.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, earning your degree in project management is one of the best ways to prepare for your future responsibilities and ensure you’re able to drive productivity in your workplace from day one.

Do I Need A Degree to Get a Job as a Business Operations Specialist?

While it may be possible to have a career as a business operations specialist without a degree, earning your degree offers a range of professional benefits as you establish your career.

First, there are the hard skills which any business operations specialist needs to master in order to be successful in their role. The right degree program, such as a Master’s in Project Management, will thoroughly cover these skills so that you have the expertise required to pursue your career.

As a business operations manager, you may be asked to work in many different capacities, from managing limited resources in order to achieve the desired outcome to reacting to and overcoming challenges in order to successfully meet business objectives. Earning your degree can help you develop the necessary skills to take on these complicated challenges.

Then there is the benefit that a degree confers once you enter the workforce. Employers are looking for the best and brightest. Businesses want talented and qualified professionals to manage their daily operations. When you earn your degree from a well-respected institution like CSU Global, you signal to future employers that you have the desired skills and capacity to drive success from day one.

In short, earning your degree can help you master the required skills for a career as a business operations specialist, and can make you a more competitive candidate once you enter the job market.

Which Degree Should I Get?

You’ll want to get the degree that best meets your educational needs and professional goals. If you’re interested in a career as a business operations specialist, you’re probably going to want to pursue a degree in project management.

At CSU Global, we offer several GAC-accredited, well-respected project management degrees and certificate programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level, including:

A bachelor’s degree or certificate will be the right fit for you if you haven’t yet earned your bachelor’s in a related field, or if you’re just trying to get your foot in the door at the entry-level.

However, if you’re seeking a promotion, or you aspire to have a role at the management or leadership level, then you should definitely consider earning your Master’s Degree in Project Management.

A master’s program will cover the more advanced managerial and operational strategies you’ll need as you rise in your career. A program like CSU Global’s M.S. in Project Management will not only give you the hard skills you need to find success in your career, but can help you stand out in a crowded field of potential candidates.

What Can I Do With a Master’s Degree in Project Management?

Completing your Master’s Degree in Project Management is a great way to set yourself up to be a successful leader in a range of industries.

When you graduate with your Master’s in Project Management, you’ll have gained a wealth of knowledge and practical skills that are directly applicable to a career as a business operations specialist or another role in project management, including the capacity to:

  • Execute effective planning and control strategies and best practices for time, cost, scope, quality, and risk management to ensure project success.
  • Critically analyze the environment in executing projects within a global marketplace.
  • Apply advanced project management and organizational principles and skills to successfully implement projects. 
  • Apply ethical principles and models to global business policies, practices, and trends.

With these hard skills, you’ll be qualified to pursue many different career paths, such as:

But this is just a selection of a few of the more common roles that graduates of Master’s in Project Management attain. Once you earn your degree, you’ll have the academic background to pursue a wide array of project management-based careers.

Is A Degree in Project Management Really Worth It?

Yes, a Master’s in Project Management is absolutely worth it, especially if you earn your degree from a widely-respected and fully accredited institution like CSU Global.

Our top-ranked M.S. in Project Management prepares you to assume command of organizational projects so that you can create a dynamic and effective organizational perspective that goes beyond silo thinking.

While it might feel like a serious investment of time and energy, earning your Master’s in Project Management is one of the best ways to gain the skills, certifications, and confidence to pursue a career as a business operations specialist or other project management position.

Can I Get My Master’s in Project Management Online?

Yes! You can earn your Master’s in Project Management online from a well-respected and fully accredited institution such as CSU Global.

All of our degree programs are designed with online students in mind, to give you greater freedom and flexibility than a traditional on-campus program. Our Master’s in Project Management is no exception, created to meet the busy schedules of online students with unique advantages like:

  • No set class times or locations.
  • Monthly class starts.
  • Accelerated eight-week courses.

At CSU Global, you really can balance your existing work obligations and family responsibilities while pursuing your education. We’ve designed all our programs to meet you where you are so that you can earn your degree without compromising on the rest of your life.

What Makes CSU Global the Best University for Studying Project Management?

Enrolling in CSU Global’s online Master’s program in Project Management is one of the best ways to gain the foundational knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to achieve long-term success as a professional project manager.

Our Master’s program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and it’s also accredited by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) for Project Management Education Programs, which means our alumni are granted substantial credit toward the experience requirement should they choose to pursue PMI certifications after graduation.

All of our program’s instructors have direct, recent experience in the field and our program was also specifically designed to prepare you to assume command of large-scale, organizational projects within a global workforce, ensuring that you have the training and skills needed to oversee project selection, direct teams of people, monitor resource levels, and create a total organizational perspective that goes beyond silo thinking.

Our Master’s program in Project Management was recently ranked the #7 Best Online Master’s program in Project Management by Online Course Report, and our alumni’s real-world experiences in the job market reflect the value that our program delivers.

In fact, program alumni recently reported that one year after entering the workforce, they were earning a median annual salary that is 16% higher than the national average for all master’s degree holders (BLS).

Finally, CSU Global also offers competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure your rate won’t increase while you’re enrolled as a student in the desired major. 

To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Master’s Degree in Project Management please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!