Making a study choice is very difficult. There are many different studies in the economics sector. Yet they are all slightly different. Business administration and commercial economics are two broad HBO studies. The training differs a lot from each other. This article clarifies the difference between business administration and commercial economics. And a few general tips are given about studying and making a study choice. The reality is that very quickly, many students drop out because they realize too late that the study does not suit them. Let this article give you some insight into these two courses.
Commercial economy
What does the consumer look like and what should I do as a marketer? Commercial economics focuses on marketing. Marketing is everything a company does to stimulate sales. As a marketer, your goal is to put yourself in the shoes of the consumer. In the first year you get consumer behavior. You automatically only think about the behavior before purchase, but as a marketer you must continue to study consumer behavior even after purchase. Marketing is present in all subjects. Even with Dutch you have to think like a marketer. Writing a commercial text, both b-to-b (business to business) and b-to-c (business to consumer). After six months of trend watching you can already say that you are a real trend watcher. You look at how big a trend is and whether it really is a trend. You will also learn how to predict trends. You look and study the market and consumer. And learn how to get good sales figures for a product or even an entire company.
Business Administration
How is a company structured? What needs to be in order to have a successful business? Business administration is about managing a company. You learn how a company is managed. It’s about communicating, leading and managing. Business administration also has a marketing element. The subject of commercial economics is covered in the first year. Studying environmental factors, organizations and interested parties. In the first year you will learn about different partnerships and commonly used management systems.
Conclusion
Business administration is really for those who want to discover how an organization works. Commercial economics is more about marketing and studying the consumer. And how should I respond to that as a marketer? When you look at what you can become with it later, what jobs are within your reach, there is something remarkable. The career opportunities are close together. Much towards management or a task as an advisor.
General tips about study choice and first year
Think carefully about your study choice. A wrong study choice costs your parents a lot of money and a lot of effort for yourself. Make sure you have gathered enough information about your studies. Ask friends and family if they know someone who has experience with a higher professional education or a study in your field. Don’t think about it too simply.
Follow 5 important steps:
- Find information on the internet
- Visit open days
- Ask family and friends about experience with a higher professional education or a study in your field
- Visit shadowing days at a high school and talk to students
- Don’t follow your friends and do it because it is your choice
Textbooks are very expensive. The first year you will easily spend around 600 to 700 euros. Usually it doesn’t matter much if your book is one edition older than the one used by the teacher in class. So buy your books second hand from private sellers, this will save you a lot of money. Please note that this is not possible for some subjects. So take a good look at what has changed in the new edition.
From high school to HBO is a big change. You are expected to be independent and you don’t get much guidance. Self-discipline is one of the most important things for a college education. If you have a good handle on this, HBO is easy to obtain. Many students do not have this. Make sure you have control over it and don’t start too late. Many students drop out because they realize too late that it requires a lot of self-study.
Make sure you are prepared, HBO is a big change.