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Online Internet Marketing Degrees

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A career in electronic business, or e-business, as it is commonly called, applies business processes and marketing through a computer-related network. Some businesses may be completely reliant on computer technology. Other businesses may be implementing computers and new technology to enhance a physical business or supplement a business that is not reaching the consumers desired by the business. E-business careers buy, sell, produce, and manage goods and services in a multitude of industries. For-profit, non-profit, and government entities all can conduct operations through e-business technology where digital information is transmitted from one computer to another. The technology can be text, picture, and sound, and can be as interactive as desired for a consumer. While an e-business may not always be for profit, the availability of computer technology can allow almost any business the ability to incorporate electronic data and open up a company globally.

Along with proficiency in business administration and computer and information technology, a career in e-business should also include comprehension in marketing, finance, economics, design, English, supply chain, and management. Individuals who are naturally adept to leading, problem solving, working with others, listening, and creatively viewing a subject will excel in a career in e-business. The evolution of business is altering how practices are being conducted and leadership and management must be adjusted to in order to compensate for the implementation of computer technology within a business. Other useful subjects are the ability to assess organizational assets, developing products, and an eagerness to understand other cultures to identify new potential customers. 

  • All
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Certification

Career Specializations

  • Consulting: The latest computer technology is understood, and this comprehension is then consulted to other businesses so that they can improve their electronic operations.
  • Marketing: Marketing works with the immediacy of computer technology to plan the best ways to store, sort, retrieve, distribute, and filter a business' goods and services where branding, promotion, and place are all tools to assist in a marketing plan.  
  • Corporate Planning: An electronic business is analyzed in corporate planning where management, engineering, and operations are all assessed to implement strategies to improve a business in the digital arena. 
  • Finance: Businesses are re-oriented to attract the best customers, determine human capital, and many other financial concepts to create businesses that benefit from electronic possibilities through thorough financial assessments.
  • General Management: The business needs are implemented, deployed, and operated by general management with computer technologies understood and utilized to help plan, direct, and manage the daily activities of a business that has implemented computer technology.

Degree Levels

  • Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
  • Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
  • Master's Degree: 1.5-3 years to complete
  • Doctoral Degree: 3-5 years to complete

Education & Certification Requirements

A career in e-business can be self-taught, but the greatest benefit of any education is learning concepts that an individual is completely unaware of especially with computer technology. With any degree program, study should consist of theoretical and applied analysis. Theoretical concepts can be learned in traditional classroom settings. Applied skills are understood and refined in laboratories, on-the-job training, internships, workshops, and other venues where students relate oral lessons into hands-on tasks. An associate degree provides students with basic understanding of business practices and computer and information technology. Potential specializations of e-business are also introduced to students pursuing an associate degree.

Many students in the e-business field possess a bachelor's degree with either a broad study of business with electronic processes applied to that study or concentrating on the specializations where a career in e-business can be obtained. Whether the specialization is in management, finance, marketing, consulting, or planning, a student should take courses on each of those subjects in the bachelor's degree they are receiving. A master's degree allows for further focus in e-business. Students seeking a master's degree can teach at a collegiate level or operate management positions in larger corporations involved in e-business.

If a student wishes to be a part of the latest innovations in research in e-business, a doctoral degree bestows a venue for the student to test computer theories that may be then marketing to e-businesses later. The research may include new software and hardware focused on easing e-business operations. (BLS)  

The EC Council provides certification that is specifically for e-business. This certification instills professionals in e-business careers distinct knowledge and opportunities to advance a career in e-business. The universal standards the EC Council certifies is technical expertise, business process management, and content resource management. (EC Council)

Salary Information

With numerous areas to specialize an e-business career, salaries vary from one industry to another. A salary ranging from $88, 240 to $141,890 is earned by the middle 50 percent of e-business professionals. The annual mean salary for e-business careers is $112,210. The highest e-business salaries are earned in software publishing, receiving $126,840 annually. E-business careers that manage companies receive an annual mean salary of $115,150. (BLS)

Job Outlook

E-business careers are forecast to be faster than average in growth when compared to other occupations from 2008 to 2018. Job prospects are determined excellent with more job openings compared to those seeking jobs in e-business. The expected increase is 17 percent for potential job openings in e-business. (BLS

Related Careers

With computer technology and business vital components for any career in e-business, these two components enable a number of related careers with this foundation of education. Two of these careers are public relations and computer networks. A career in public relations occupy a variety of areas, like e-business careers, with non-profit, for-profit, and government entities all potential fields. The public is the focus for public relation careers and listening is a quality related to public relations and e-business careers. Public relations officers organize, protect, and support organizations that want to maintain a positive view in the public's eye. Computer network careers protect computer systems and are important for any business that uses electronic technology. E-businesses need individuals who can establish protocols to safeguard against hacking, spyware, and virus corruption. A career in network careers is a vital component to any organization to continue a successful, thriving enterprise.

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