Moving directly out of school into a specialised degree can be extremely intimidating and overwhelming for students.
With thousands of course options available, how do you choose?
Studying a general Bachelor of Commerce degree removes some of the pressure as students can go into several different careers.
This article will explain a BCom (General) degree, explore different career options students can pursue with this qualification, and more so you can decide if this is the right course for you.
What is a General Bachelor of Commerce?
A General Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree is a three-year course designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to obtain a successful career in commerce.
Commerce is the activity of buying and selling goods and services — most often on a large scale.
There are four main types of commerce:
- Business to business (B2B): This involves a transaction between two companies. For example, a restaurant buys its kitchen equipment from a manufacturer. This type of commerce is growing, with B2B eCommerce reaching $6.7 trillion in 2021.
- Business to consumer (B2C): This type of commerce occurs when a company sells directly to the consumer. For example, a customer buys a product from Takealot.
- Consumer to consumer (C2C): This is the process where one consumer sells something to another consumer. For example, one person buys something from another person on Facebook Marketplace.
- Consumer to business (C2B): This is when a consumer sells a product or service to a company. For example, a company pays a consumer to review its products.
This degree will help you build a strong foundation in general business principles for B2B and B2C commerce and equip you with leadership, communication, and management skills to thrive within this industry.
What sectors employ a bachelor of commerce?
As commerce involves selling goods and services, nearly every sector has careers to offer in BCom. When studying for a Bachelor of Commerce, you’ll have the choice to work for small or large companies.
Due to all the positions, you’ll have the opportunity to advance in your career and attain high-level positions. Some of the industries that offer job opportunities in commerce include, but are not limited to:
- Accounting sciences
- Auditing
- Banking
- Business management
- Communication
- Economic and management sciences
- Financial services
- Governance
- Human resources
- Insurance
- Manufacturing and distribution
- Marketing
- Transportation
- Warehousing
What can you do with a BCom degree?
You can get several different jobs when you have a BCom degree — both in South Africa and internationally. Here are eight of the most popular positions.
1. Accounting Assistant
Accounting assistants are primarily responsible for assisting with day-to-day tasks related to business finances.
Some of their responsibilities include preparing invoices, purchasing orders, processing payments from customers or suppliers, maintaining budgets, and more.
They may also be required to carry out administrative duties, such as taking notes during meetings, answering phone calls, etc.
2. Logistics manager
Logistics managers are responsible for ensuring that a company’s supply chain is effective and efficient.
Some of their main tasks may include organising and monitoring the distribution of goods and storing everything properly. They ensure that items are shipped to their designated locations so business processes can run smoothly.
3. Marketing Manager
Marketing managers take care of company communication with customers. They need to help the business make sales by effectively promoting its products or services using several different marketing channels and methods.
Generally, they will be in charge of the marketing team and will delegate tasks such as graphic design, video creation, copywriting, and more to the appropriate team member.
4. Research Analyst
Research analysts study the market and collect, compare, and analyse data so businesses can make better decisions.
For example, suppose a business wants to create a new product. In that case, research analysts will look at how well other similar products are selling in the market and their probability of success. This way, the business will know whether they should proceed with creating the product or not.
5. Business Manager
Business managers oversee several departments of a business and ensure that everything works well together.
They must review budgets and make the best decisions based on the company’s resources to allocate them for maximum results.
They must also implement business strategies, monitor business performance, and adjust methods accordingly.
6. Project management
Project managers plan, manage, and direct projects from beginning to end. They ensure that all aspects of the project stay on track, including budgets, deadlines, and objectives.
They are in charge of different teams and need to work to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and build the business’s overall revenue.
7. Security sales consultant
Security sales consultants are responsible for managing transactions and investments on behalf of their clients. They must open, close, and transfer accounts based on clients’ interests and needs.
As part of their job duties, they have to explain to clients exactly how securities work and offer advice and recommendations on selling or purchasing securities.
8. Internal auditor
Internal auditors (IAs) make sure that companies meet their tax obligations. They are responsible for ensuring a company’s balance sheets and profit and loss statements are correct.
They need to identify financial risks and make recommendations to reduce risks and improve the company’s financial position and integrity.
Their duties include studying accounting records, supervising business workflows, and preparing compliance reports.
What course is best after a general Bachelor of Commerce?
Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the best courses for students available after studying BCom.
With an MBA, students will learn how to manage all aspects of a business within their chosen field of specialisation.
An MBA will allow students to obtain senior-level positions, such as executive roles with more responsibilities and higher income potential.
Get your BCom degree by enrolling at REGENT today
If you’re ready to jump into the growing world of commerce and want to take on a management role, studying for a commerce degree is the ideal solution.
Have a look at the different courses REGENT Business School offers, including a general Bachelor of Commerce, BCom in Accounting, BCom in Human Resource Management, BCom in Retail Management, and more.