The business world is changing, both in British Columbia and across the globe. On one hand, the options have never been greater—just think about all the products, services, and apps you use, and the companies bringing them to life. On the other hand, we’re seeing an unprecedented shift as baby boomers retire and leave thousands of jobs for the taking.
The School of Business + Media at BCIT, one of the largest business schools in Western Canada, has long taken pride in preparing students for careers in business in fields such as finance, marketing, media, broadcasting, and accounting. While there are more than 40 full-time business programs, these 10 are particularly well-suited to tomorrow’s in-demand positions.
1. Marketing Management
Marketing managers are sought after in all industries, often making higher-than-average income. And by 2029, job openings for corporate sales managers are projected at 4,440, while advertising, marketing, and public relations professions will total some 4,000 openings.
BCIT offers full-time programs targeting several specialized areas, including Entrepreneurship, Marketing Communications, Tourism Management, and Professional Sales. A career in this field is creatively stimulating and dynamic—no two days are the same. Part-time and online studies in this subject are also offered.
2. Finance
For business careers such as banking, finance, and investment, the School of Business + Media offers full-time, two-year diploma programs in subjects such as Finance and Financial Planning, along with part-time options in both. Courses are focused and comprehensive, but cover a broad spectrum of financial, economic, investment, and accounting topics so that you gain strong technical skills and industry experience, and are equipped for a wide range of roles when you graduate. Auditors and accountants, as well as financial managers and officers, are among the most sought-after positions, with more than 20,000 jobs projected to open in the coming decade.
3. Business Analytics
Some 7,600 information systems analysts are expected to join the workforce before the end of the decade. Companies collect a lot of information, and they depend on keen-eyed experts who can spot the trends in the data. If you’re an inquisitive, investigative problem solver with an attention for detail, the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics at BCIT is for you. The one-year, part-time program consists of five courses taught by industry professionals, and grants you an exciting opportunity to connect with future employers.
4. General Insurance and Risk Management
If you think insurance and risk management is a narrow category, think again. Professionals in this field are involved in industries ranging from construction and shipping to natural resources and ski resorts. The full-time General Insurance and Risk Management program at BCIT is the only one of its kind in the province, allowing students access to placement while they study, and granting them opportunities to attain their Canadian Risk Management and Chartered Insurance Professional certifications.
5. Business Operations Management
There’s no one single career track for specialists in modern business operations management. Whether you’re overseeing purchasing, processes, or quality assurance, there are opportunities across the supply chain in any number of companies and industries. The two-year Business Operations Management diploma not only features two Business Consulting Projects to help streamline your transition to the workforce, but partnerships with industry mentors invested in building your career.
6. Broadcast and Online Journalism
The School of Business + Media at BCIT is the only business school in BC with a program dedicated to broadcast and online journalism. The need for well-trained journalists and high-quality news is greater than ever, and this program helps students hone their investigative reporting, storytelling, and editing skills for a number of dynamic channels, from television and radio to social media.
7. Technical Arts
Gone are the days when technical artists predominantly worked in animation, video games, and visual effects. While these are still well-paid jobs that are high in demand, all digital companies and platforms want to deliver engaging interactive experiences to their customers. The Advanced Diploma in Technical Arts at BCIT answers this growing call for talent, preparing students for graduation in as little as one year with versatile full-time and part-time options. Projections show that by 2029, there will have been 6,290 job postings for computer programmers and interactive media developers in BC.
8. Graphic Communications Technology Management
It’s an omnichannel world we live in, where consumers interact with visual media in many different ways. That means designers and production artists need a varied spectrum of analogue and digital skills, and the Graphic Communications Technology Management diploma is designed to deliver. The program can be taken full time or part time, training you not only in colour and imaging, but in areas like customer relationship management and variable data such as geo-targeting campaigns.
9. Professional Real Estate
For flexibility in both your studies and business career choice, consider the Professional Real Estate Advanced Diploma at BCIT. The full-time program, designed and delivered by professionals, only takes one year and classes are scheduled on just three days per week—plus, it prepares for any number of related roles, such as agent, broker, appraiser, or property manager.
10. Global Trade and Transportation Management
Companies source their materials, manufacturing processes, partners, and products from all over the world. That means they depend on experts for everything from coordinating transportation logistics to monitoring inventory to building global networks and negotiating deals. This is an exciting field to be part of, and one that the Global Trade and Transportation Management diploma at BCIT prepares you for, with full-time programs focused on both general management and global supply chains.
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As companies in media and entertainment, software and design, and financial services continue to flourish across Canada and around the world, there’s never been a better time to pursue a business career in BC. BCIT continues to offer applied education in a format appropriate to the unfolding global situation. The School of Business + Media is accepting applicants for its upcoming intake of the program. Learn more about the School of Business + Media at BCIT or contact an advisor today.
(Note: This article was last updated in December 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability for students to take part in consulting projects and internships is largely dependent upon the organization that is hosting the student placements. BCIT is working closely with our industry partners to determine where students can safely complete work placement components of their program. Where it is not possible for students to complete that training in an industry setting, program areas are developing alternate plans for students to achieve the required learning outcomes.)