How to Become a Business Development Associate?

Are you thinking of becoming a Business Development Associate or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Business Development Associate, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Business Development Associate job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Business Development Associate

If you're considering starting your Business Development Associate career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Business Development Associate and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Business Development Associate career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Business Development Associate career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Business Development Associate internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.

What type of degree should you pursue to become a Business Development Associate?

97% of people working as a Business Development Associate earned a Bachelor's Degree

What skills do you need to be a Business Development Associate?

  • Excellent Communication
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Prospects
  • CRM
  • Time Management
  • Negotiation
  • Powerpoint
  • Written Communication
Based on resume data from Glassdoor users who reported working as a Business Development Associate in the United States.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Business Development Associate, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Business Development Associate field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Business Development Associate specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Business Development Associate

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Business Development Associate. In general, you can become a Business Development Associate after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Business Development Associate role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified b corporation.
4

Advance in Your Business Development Associate Career

Following entry-level, there are several Business Development Associate career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Business Development Associate to progress to the senior business development associate position. Each advanced Business Development Associate position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Business Development Associate career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Business Development Associate career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Business Development Associate Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Business Development Associate career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $83,275 compared to $36,544 for those without that type of degree.

Business Development Associate Career Path

Business Development Associate

2 - 4Years of Experience
$59K - $93K /yrMost Likely Range
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37% advanced to

Senior Business Development Associate

2 - 4Years of Experience
$81K - $131K /yrMost Likely Range
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Lead Business Development Associate

5 - 7Years of Experience
$74K - $123K /yrMost Likely Range
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Total Pay Trajectory

Business Development Associate Career Path

New Grad Business Development Associate
Business Development Associate
Senior Business Development Associate
Business Development Associate Manager
Lead Business Development Associate
Business Development Associate V
Director of Business Development
Chief Business Development Associate
$40K
$86K
$132K
$178K
$270K

Related Careers in the Business Industry

Interested in other Business careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Business Development Associate skills. Discover some of the most common Business Development Associate career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Business Development Manager
13% skills overlap
63% transitioned to Business Development Manager