Which BBA Major Will Launch You?

On a humid Dhaka afternoon a final-year BBA class buzzed with more questions than coffee. One student loved numbers but feared missing fast-hiring roles. Another wanted creative work yet worried about steady pay. Choosing a major suddenly felt like picking a ladder rung that might decide the next five years.

Early Exposure Shapes Choice

Try different courses and internships before you lock in a major. A former DU-IBA alumnus Zahin Azad Moslem and now the Finance lead of A.O Smith Bangladesh Private Ltd. recalls choosing finance "for finding insights from data analysis," but adds that finance also covers budgeting, compliance and business stewardship. Ehsanur Raza Ronny says, "Choosing Marketing seemed a good way for me to explore creativity and a variety of opportunities." So, if you love numbers and analysis, finance can be a natural fit whereas marketing will lead you to various fields with more creativity and less boredom. Both stress that campus competitions, short internships and conversations with alumni help students match curiosity with real work.

Where Entry Jobs Wait

Look at the jobs when you plan your major. In Bangladesh marketing and finance open the most entry-level roles. Marketing teams in FMCG and retail, sales functions in telecoms and brand teams in e-commerce hire fresh graduates often. Banks, microfinance institutions and corporate finance departments recruit for operations, treasury, vendor payments and compliance. Typical starting posts include sales executive, branch officer, management trainee and analyst roles that give practical exposure. Firms commonly hiring include Unilever, BAT, Marico, Grameenphone, Robi, bKash, Daraz and major local banks; internships at these places often convert into full time offers when students perform well.

Course theory creates a base but employers prize applied ability. "Excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills and the ability to process large data sets and explain findings clearly are crucial, " warns BUP graduate Farhan Shariar Dipto who is now working in the role of a First Assistant Vice-President of Prime Bank PLC.  Zahin points out that many technical skills are learned on the job and through short online courses. For most entry roles, practical competence in tools and a neat record of internships matter more than perfect academic scores.

Electives That Add Value

Choose electives to build useful lenses. Zahin took a supply chain elective and learned companies often prefer engineering graduates for core supply chain roles, yet the learning made him "a better finance partner to the supply chain team." Farhan recommends Corporate Finance and Investment Analysis as electives that map cleanly to common bank and corporate roles. Electives that include projects or client work pay dividends when you apply for jobs.

Most BBA careers begin in operational positions before moving to specialist or managerial tracks. Many companies run management trainee programmes that rotate hires through sales, finance, HR and operations so graduates test multiple functions. After two to four years graduates often settle into a specialist lane or prepare for an MBA or professional certification such as ACCA or CIMA. Employers value measurable achievements in those early years.

"Let your strengths guide you; pick a major with long term prospects and jobs. Don't chase labels. Choose something that strengthens everyday business skills and gives you options across sectors."

— Farhan Shariar Dipto First Assistant Vice President, Prime Bank PLC.

Opportunities beyond the country

BBA skills travel. Graduates with analytical and communication ability can access remote roles in business analytics, digital marketing and financial analysis for foreign clients. Freelancing platforms and outsourcing firms connect Dhaka talent to global projects, and regional hubs in various countries hire specialists from Bangladesh for product or operations roles. While most entry jobs remain local, building a digital portfolio and solid language skills  can open regional or remote opportunities.

Large firms offer structured learning, stable pay and branded experience. Startups give faster responsibility, broader tasks and exposure to product work but less certainty. Many graduates first join a bank or FMCG to gain discipline, then move to startups or product teams with two to three years of work history.

In conclusion, picking a major is not a permanent box. It is a beginning that you shape with internships, electives and early work. Zahin urges curiosity and steady learning while Farhan calls networking "gold." Together they stress that a mix of skill, experience and storytelling will get you through the first job door. It is also important to prioritise fields with visible entry roles, practice practical tools and treat the degree as step one in a longer career ladder. Stay curious, track jobs, and remember that a few years of good experience can open many doors.