In This Article
- What is considered a good work-life balance in the business industry?
- Importance of work-life balance for business professionals
- Jobs that offer work-life balance for business professionals
- Tips for having work-life balance in business
- How a business degree can lead to better work-life balance
- Balance work and personal life effectively in your business career
In a country where hustle culture isn’t a foreign concept, business workers in Malaysia may find it difficult to juggle their professional and personal obligations. However, a good work-life balance can do wonders not just for business professionals, but also for businesses, clients and stakeholders.
This article explores what a healthy work-life balance entails for business workers, why it’s important to have it in your role and some of the best business jobs for work-life balance. We’ll also share some tips on how you can improve your work-life balance.
What is considered a good work-life balance in the business industry?
You may wonder about work-life balance and how to know if you have it in your current role. A good work-life balance generally means having a healthy relationship between work and your personal life. This element ensures that you can fulfil your professional duties during work hours and focus on your overall wellbeing during your personal time, whether you’re pursuing your hobbies or spending time with loved ones.
Some signs that may suggest you’re struggling with work-life balance include working overtime frequently, not having enough rest and feeling exhausted all the time. This can take a toll on your mental and physical health and cause negative effects in the long run, such as burnout. Your personal life can also be compromised when work becomes too demanding.
According to Employment Hero’s 2024 Wellness at Work report, two-thirds of Malaysian workers have experienced burnout, with an alarming rise from 58 per cent in 2022 to 67 per cent in 2024. The main contributor to burnout is poor work-life balance, with 55 per cent of local employees rating their work-life balance as poor or average. Randstad also disclosed in their Employer Brand Research 2023 report that 50 per cent of employees in Malaysia have thought of quitting to improve their work-life balance. The figures in both reports indicate the urgent need to tackle this problem and improve employee’s work-life balance in Malaysia.
While there are business roles that require employees to work long hours or outside of traditional business hours, such as hotel receptionists, event coordinators and accountants during tax seasons, there are other roles that provide more work flexibility and establish a clear boundary between work and personal time. These jobs may offer flexible work hours, remote or hybrid work opportunities and other benefits that support a healthy work-life balance for business workers.
Importance of work-life balance for business professionals
Work-life balance offers plenty of advantages for business professionals, such as:
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Maintaining mental health: A good work-life balance prevents you from overworking, which can reduce stress, fatigue and the likelihood of experiencing burnout.
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Improving physical wellbeing: When you have time to focus on yourself outside of work, you can take care of your physical health by eating nutritiously, practising an active lifestyle and adopting healthy sleeping habits.
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Boosting job satisfaction: You are more likely to feel happy and fulfilled working in a job that promotes a great balance of work and personal life. This can also motivate you to perform better in your tasks and increase your work quality.
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Improving employee retention: When businesses take care of their employees’ welfare, employees may feel valued and less likely to leave their roles. In turn, this can reduce turnover rates.
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Increasing workplace morale: A healthy work environment helps to improve team morale, which can lead to better business productivity and performance.
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Enhancing client satisfaction: When employees aren’t struggling to strike a balance between work and life commitments, they can be more focused and complete high-quality work to the satisfaction of clients and stakeholders.
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More opportunities for development: You’ll have the time and space to pursue opportunities for personal or professional growth. This can include furthering your education or obtaining additional qualifications that can help advance your career.
A good work-life balance is necessary for business professionals to sustain a long and healthy career.
Jobs that offer work-life balance for business professionals
Certain business roles offer better work-life balance compared to others. They may provide more opportunities for remote work, flexible work arrangements or a predictable workload which may allow you to have more time for your personal ventures. Explore some of these jobs below:
1. Financial advisor
What does a financial advisor do?
Financial advisors help individuals or businesses achieve their financial objectives. This may involve examining a client’s financial situation, establishing goals and recommending financial products. They may offer expert advice on various areas of finance, such as insurance, tax planning, investing and retirement planning.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
Financial advisors usually arrange their own client appointments according to their schedule and their clients’ availability. This allows them to have more flexibility in balancing their work hours with their personal commitments. Some financial advisors are also self-employed, which gives them more autonomy to choose when they work.
Average salary for a financial advisor
According to Indeed, the average salary for financial advisors in Malaysia ranges from RM4,000 to RM5,000 per month. Statista also reported a positive career outlook for financial advisors in Malaysia, with the total market value of this field projected to hit US$19.36 billion by 2029.
You need to have solid financial knowledge to pursue this career. Explore various finance and financial planning programmes offered by top universities in Malaysia to help you develop your financial expertise.
This programme utilises innovative teaching techniques to provide students with current theoretical and practical knowledge regarding equity investments, financial management, taxation and other key financial subjects.
Career paths
Graduates may opt to pursue a bachelor's degree or take on finance-related jobs such as:
- Finance Officer
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Securities Broker
- Treasurer
- Investment Banker
- Stockbroker
This programme is intended to equip students with the necessary techniques and expertise to analyse and assess the intricate world of financial markets. Students will explore subject matters such as capital markets, investment decision-making, option pricing and macroeconomics. Throughout this module, students will gain the competence and knowledge to navigate the ever-changing landscape of economics and finance effectively.
Highlights of this programme:
- Accreditations and paper exemptions - Accredited and qualifies for exemptions from various professional bodies such as:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC)
- Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM)
- Study overseas - Opportunity to transfer to partner universities in the United Kingdom or Australia.
- Dual Awards - Attain dual awards from Taylor's University and either the University of the West of England in the United Kingdom or Queensland University of Technology in Australia.
Career paths
Graduates of this programme will have a broad scope of roles available to them, including:
- Bank Manager
- Corporate Treasurer
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Financial Planner
- Fund Manager
- Remisier
- Investment Manager
The Master in Financial Planning by SEGi is for professionals who would like to acquire a broad range of financial planning skills. This programme provides students essential background material such as methodologies, techniques, and tools in systems analysis and design, business and financial planning alignment, and requirement analysis. Graduates will be equipped with all the skills and knowledge needed to support business financial planning analysis.
Programme Objectives
- Equip learners with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of financial legislation and regulations related to the financial planning industry in Malaysia.
- Prepare learners to be competent financial planners capable of meeting the financial planning needs and goals of their clients.
- Strengthen the interpersonal skills of learners to enable them to develop and maintain successful client relationships with existing and potential clients.
- Improve learner’s competencies and skills in management, marketing, accounting, and finance.
- Develop learner’s quantitative and analytical skills to enable them to address complex financial situations.
- Expose learner’s to hands-on applications of financial planning technology and tools.
Gain Entry Admission via Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Shorten your study duration through CREDIT EXEMPTIONS obtained via your work experience and prior learning.
Career Paths
As graduates of the programme, you can explore careers such as:
- Financial planner
- Agency Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Broker
- Employee of Financial Institutions
2. Digital marketing specialist
What does a digital marketing specialist do?
Digital marketing specialists help businesses improve brand awareness by promoting their products or services using online mediums like websites, social media and email. They may also specialise in different areas of digital marketing, such as search engine optimisation (SEO), content writing and analytics.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
There are many remote work opportunities as digital marketing specialists tend to use digital software and tools to perform their tasks, allowing them to work anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. By working remotely, they can have more time and space for themselves to pursue their personal interests.
Average salary for a digital marketing specialist
A digital marketing specialist typically earns between RM4,000 and RM5,300 per month, according to Jobstreet. The job outlook for this role is also promising, as digital marketing roles are among the top 10 job functions that hire full-time workers, based on Jobstreet’s Hiring, Compensation and Benefits Report 2024.
If you’re interested in pursuing your tertiary studies in this field, you can consider SEGi University’s Diploma in Digital Marketing. The course includes industry-relevant subjects like Digital and Service Marketing, Digital Personal Selling, Social Media Marketing and Digital Marketing Research.
You should also further your studies and acquire a bachelor’s degree as marketers typically have this qualification. Many universities offer bachelor’s programmes in marketing for you to explore. The BA (Hons) Advertising and Digital Marketing Communications course from SEGi University is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM). Asia Pacific University (APU) offers a specialisation in digital marketing for its Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Marketing Management programme.
Whether you’re a student or working professional looking to elevate or change careers, you can find a marketing programme at your preferred level of qualification to start your journey.
This programme provides a comprehensive understanding of various business disciplines, equipping students with the latest skills and values. It covers key marketing concepts and trends, both locally and globally. Students will learn to engage and influence customers, develop brand loyalty and execute strategic marketing campaigns. Upon completion, they will be equipped with a range of skills to succeed in the world of marketing.
Career paths
Graduates of this programme will have a broad scope of roles available to them, including:
- Market Researcher
- Advertising Executive
- Advertising Account Planner
- Digital Marketing Executive
- Sales Executive
- Creative Executive
- Social Media Executive
- Purchasing Development Executive
This degree is designed to produce adaptable graduates who possess a range of marketing skills and tools that meet the business demands of today.
Upskill programmes
Students can enhance their digital marketing skills and gain a better understanding of the e-commerce landscape through:
- Google Ignite
- Alibaba.com Global Digital Talent (GDT)
International and professional accreditation
This degree is recognised by the following professional bodies:
- Malaysian Association of Company Secretaries (MACS)
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Career paths
As graduates of this programme, you have the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers, such as:
- Sales and Marketing Consultant
- International Marketing Executive/Manager
- Event Management Executive/Manager
- Business Development Executive/Manager
- Brand Executive/Manager
- Product Executive/Manager
- Advertising Executive/Manager
The Master of Science in Global Marketing Management is designed to equip critical managers, senior executives, executives, entrepreneurs and other professionals for a career in global marketing by developing the necessary knowledge and competencies in the identification, evaluation and solution of problems encountered in global marketing and the development of international marketing strategies. In addition, it is designed for those with an undergraduate background in business and those from other industry areas interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of concepts and current theories in the management of global companies.
APU-DMU Dual Degree Programme
Students in this programme will have the option to opt in for the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme. Under this Scheme, students will receive two Degree Certificates and Transcripts upon graduation: one from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia and one from De Montfort University (DMU), UK.
Chartered Management Institute (CMI Accreditation)
Students have the exciting opportunity to enrol for the APU-CMI Dual Accreditation by registering for qualification through APU. Students taking the Master of Science in Global Marketing Management course will also have the option to opt in for a CMI L7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, which will be awarded subject to moderation by CMI.
This programme is specifically designed to provide:
- An overview of marketing in a global environment.
- An understanding of the marketing blueprint that can be used in all countries, whether as a standard approach or adapted to the specific characteristics of a particular market.
- Focus on thinking and planning marketing activities at a global level in light of the market and its requirements.
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Global Marketing Management programme, graduates will have a broad scope of business roles available to them, including:
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3. Sales executive
What does a sales executive do?
Sales executives play an integral role in business operations as they close sales as well as find and nurture relationships with new and existing clients. They must have excellent knowledge of their organisation’s products and services to sell them effectively. This role may also require them to perform market research to help them identify consumer needs and develop selling strategies.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
As sales roles are often performance-based, many companies may focus more on your output rather than the hours you’ve worked. This gives you the freedom to adjust your schedule and work at your own pace.
If you’re an experienced sales executive, you may also have more autonomy at work, allowing you to arrange your own client appointments and manage customer relationships effectively. This can help reduce your stress levels from being micromanaged by management as you know how to generate results efficiently using your own methods.
Average salary for a sales executive
Jobstreet reports that the average salary for a sales executive in Malaysia ranges from RM3,300 to RM4,800. According to Jobstreet, sales roles saw an increase from 22 per cent in 2022 to 31 per cent in 2023 for the hiring of permanent full-time employees, indicating a positive career outlook for this role.
If you want to develop business acumen to prepare for a successful career as a sales executive, you can consider pursuing a university course in business, marketing or a related field.
The course provides students with a sound foundation in business disciplines, setting the stage for degree studies in business and accounting.
Career paths
Graduates can opt to pursue bachelor's degree or take on business-related roles such as:
- Administrative Officer
- Marketing Executive
- HR Executive, Sales Executive
- Business Development Executive
- Business Consultant
- Credit Analyst
- Financial Controller
Students will learn essential marketing principles and acquire the skills for a career in marketing.
Dual award programme
You will be awarded two degrees upon graduation: one from INTI and a BA (Hons) Business (Marketing)by the University of Hertfordshire, UK.
Career paths
Graduates can take on marketing-oriented roles such as:
- Marketing Personnel
- Sales Personnel
- Advertising Personnel
- Product Manager
- Marketing Consultant
The Master of Business Administration in Marketing by SEGi focuses on business and organisations within the context of marketing, examining how marketing can help develop a competitive edge for a company in today’s challenging environment. Students will be exposed to the future of marketing in terms of trends and modern practices that affect the competitiveness of organisation.
This programme aims to introduce innovative business understanding that integrates cutting-edge research and practice across all key business areas to cater and adapt to the ever-competitive industry.
It also enables students to develop key leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. The Master of Business Administration in Marketing is grounded in principles that underpin businesses today and will equip students with a fresh strategic approach to the issues managers encounter.
Dual Award Programme
Students under this programme will have the choice to opt-in for Dual Award. Under this scheme, students will receive two awards: one from SEGi University, Malaysia and one from University of Central Lancashire, UK.
Gain Entry Admission via Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Shorten your study duration through CREDIT EXEMPTIONS obtained via your work experience and prior learning.
Career Paths
As graduates of the programme, you can explore careers such as:
- Marketing and Sales Manager
- Market Research Analyst
- Media Planner
- Product Manager
- Advertisement Manager
4. Human resources (HR) executive
What does an HR executive do?
HR executives perform various tasks to manage employees within an organisation, such as hiring new talents, managing workplace relations and handling employee salaries. These professionals are in charge of creating a positive and productive work environment where employees can strive to meet business goals.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
Many HR tasks can be done remotely, such as shortlisting resumes, preparing reports and managing employee performance. Working from home allows them more flexibility to manage their personal lives.
HR executives also usually follow traditional business working hours. They typically don’t perform additional work outside of office hours compared to roles in other departments during busy periods. With a clearly defined work schedule, HR executives can balance their personal and professional pursuits effectively.
Average salary for an HR executive
According to Jobstreet, an HR executive’s average monthly salary is between RM3,000 and RM4,000. Job security is also high for this role as HR remains the top permanent full-time job function in 2022 and 2023, based on the Hiring, Compensation and Benefits Report 2024 by Jobstreet.
Obtaining relevant skills and knowledge is essential if you would like to pursue a career in HR. You can find plenty of HR programmes at the diploma, bachelor’s and master’s level to help you get started.
The programme is designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills in human resource management.
Pathway to a degree
Graduates can proceed to Year 2 of TAR UMT's Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Human Resource Management on credit transfer. You can also apply for admission into relevant bachelor degree programmes at TAR UMT or other universities on credit transfer.
Accessible and flexible
The TAR UMT Kuala Lumpur campus offers intakes in June and November. For the Penang campus, an intake is available in June.
Career paths
Graduates may seek employment in the following areas:
- Human Resource Administration and Management
- Compensation and Benefit
- Recruitment
- Training Employee Relations
- Consultancy and General Management
Course code according to campus
- KL (R2/345/4/1100A)(08/28)(AA0067)
- Penang (R2/345/4/1099)(09/28)(AA0146)
This programme is designed to equip students with the following skills and knowledge:
- Comprehending the context, nature, role and significance of management activities carried out by Human Resource Management (HRM) managers in different organisations.
- Developing well-researched, logical and integrated solutions for complex problems in uncertain and dynamic situations.
- Receiving vocationally relevant exposure that will enable students to become operationally effective in human resource management.
- Learning a diverse set of employment skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, interpretive skills, and effective written and oral communication.
- Able to use IT and business applications, as well as conduct research into human resource management issues.
APU-DMU Dual Degree Programme
Students can enrol in the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme as part of this programme. This scheme enables students to receive two degree certificates and transcripts upon programme completion: one from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia and the other from De Montfort University (DMU), UK.
Chartered Management Institute (CMI Accreditation)
Students who are enrolled in this APU programme have the opportunity to register for the APU-CMI Dual Accreditation. This means that they can also choose to opt-in for a CMI L5 Certificate in Management and Leadership. The certificate will be awarded to the students subject to moderation by CMI.
Paper exemptions
Upon completing this programme, students are eligible for exemptions in the professional bodies below.
- The Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAISCA)
- Nine papers exemptions out of 16 papers
- Malaysian Association of Company Secretaries (MACS)
- Ten papers exemptions out of 16 papers
Career paths
As graduates of this programme, you have the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers, such as:
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The Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) programme is designed in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the world’s largest Chartered HR and development body, for aspiring managers and professionals with the ambition to become strategic leaders and human resource managers.
Students will be acquiring expertise not only through knowledge of contemporary human resource management theories, concepts and tools but will also be working in a team throughout the programme and building sets of skills they can apply in practice. Since today’s organisations operate in a dynamic and complex environment with varying structures and cultures, the MHRM programme will equip students with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to face human resource challenges and meet the strategic needs of business.
Upon completion of the programme, graduates are awarded with dual certificates: the MHRM certificate from Sunway University and a postgraduate-level Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management from the CIPD. Graduates also upgrade their status to Associate Membership of CIPD and use the designatory letters ‘Assoc CIPD’ after their name that demonstrates that they have attained a recognised level of professional competence as an HR practitioner.
Career paths
Master of Human Resource Management graduates are equipped to pursue careers as:
- Academia
- Human Resources Consultant
- Human Resources Manager
- Training and Development Specialist
- Employee Recruitment and Staffing Specialist
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
5. Project manager
What does a project manager do?
Project managers oversee all stages of a project lifecycle, from planning to completion. They ensure that projects are completed on time and according to the stakeholders’ satisfaction. Their responsibilities may involve establishing project deadlines, calculating project expenses and reporting the progress of projects to senior management.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
Project managers can plan their workload ahead as projects typically involve long-term planning with timelines and deadlines to adhere to. Their role also requires them to conduct regular check-ins and reviews to ensure projects are on track. This allows them to organise their time effectively, which can contribute to a better work-life balance.
There are also remote and hybrid work opportunities for these professionals as many project management tasks can be done using online tools like Asana, Trello and Monday.com. These applications help them plan, communicate and monitor project progress from the comfort of their homes. This flexibility gives them more personal time as they don’t need to commute to work.
Average salary for a project manager
A project manager in Malaysia earns between RM6,750 and RM9,250 every month, according to Jobstreet. The career outlook for project managers is also positive not just in Malaysia but internationally as well. The Project Management Institute (PMI) revealed that the global economy needs 25 million new project management professionals by 2030 in its 2021 Talent Gap report.
You can find various undergraduate and postgraduate courses that can help you develop essential project management skills if you want to pursue this career within your field.
The programme is designed to meet the ever-growing demand from the industry for qualified and competent professionals in project and facilities management. This course aims to develop graduates to be industry leaders with the ability to make sound business decisions, solve strategic and operational problems and implement best project management practices in the built environment context.
SIRIM certification
The SIRIM Certified Facility Management System Executive (SIRIM CFMSE) certification will be issued to graduates upon the the successful completion of the modules based on SIRIM requirements.
Career paths
Graduates are equipped to take on professional roles in the following fields:
- Project Management
- Construction Management
- Interior Design
- Facility Management
- Building Service Management
- Operation and Maintenance Management
- Healthcare (FM Operation and Maintenance)
This programme is not available for international intake.
International accreditation
This is the first Southeast Asian programme to be accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center (GAC).
Job-ready skills, relevant to industry
The programme is designed to elevate the project management skills of a wide range of professionals, including engineers, lawyers, accountants, managers, consultants and business owners. Candidates are trained to lead multidisciplinary teams, devise agile solutions, and navigate technical and non-technical environments that incorporate IR4.0 and sustainable development goals.
Graduates will have a broad scope of roles available to them, including:
- Project Director
- Project Manager
- Resource Manager
- Business Analyst
- Scrum Master
The Master of Project Management programme by is designed to produce professional and dedicated Project Managers to lead in the development and maintenance of projects based on International Standards.
GAC-PMI (Global Accreditation Centre – PMI)
APU Master of Project Management is accredited by GAC-PMI. APU is one of 17 institutions in Asia with GAC-PMI Accreditation at Masters Level.
Chartered Management Institute (CMI Accreditation)
Students have the opportunity to enrol in the APU-CMI Dual Accreditation. Students in the Master of Project Management course can also opt-in for a CMI L7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, which will be awarded subject to moderation by CMI.
This programme is specifically designed to:
- Produce professional and dedicated Project Managers to lead in the development and maintenance of projects based on International Standards. This programme aims to provide core skills to consultants, engineers, and executives from any industry, including knowledge and processes crucial for projects that deliver organizational values and benefits.
- Develop skills in strategic thinking, leadership and best practices that enables more confident leaders in spear heading business initiatives and projects.
- Meet the needs of aspiring candidates or professionals by strengthening and developing existing professional expertise in project management.
Upon completion of the Master of Project Management programme, graduates will have a broad scope of business roles available to them, including:
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6. Business analyst
What does a business analyst do?
Business analysts examine an organisation’s various business data, such as workflows, financial data and performance reports, to identify areas for improvement and recommend strategies that can boost business growth. They may also measure the effectiveness of the implemented changes and report them to management.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
The work of business analysts typically doesn’t involve urgent tasks and daily problem-solving as they focus on examining data and improving processes. This indicates a predictable workload, which can offer a better work-life balance. Many of these professionals also work during traditional office hours, allowing them to have adequate time for their personal lives outside of work.
Average salary for a business analyst
According to Jobstreet, the average salary for a business analyst is between RM4,300 and RM6,300 per month.
Business professionals who are interested in becoming analysts in their respective industries can consider pursuing studies in business analytics.
This programme aims to provide students with:
- Preparation for careers in integrated business information systems that cross organisational, social and national boundaries, enabled by various technologies.
- Academic and professional skills to apply business and information technology in commercial and organisational contexts.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills that are essential to adapt to technological and industrial changes.
Career paths
As graduates of this programme, you have the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers, such as:
- Business Executive
- Business Analyst
- Business Adviser
- Sales Executive/Specialist
- Digital Sales Manager
- Digital Business Consultant
- Project Manager
- Product and Market Analyst
- Administrative Officer
The Bachelor of Business Analytics (Honours) provides students with the knowledge and applied skills in Big Data processing to effectively deal with the rapidly emerging field of Business Analytics.
Using business analytics tools and techniques, students will be able to develop critical thinking and analytical skills to process Big Data for problem solving and decision making. This programme equips students with ability to transform data into powerful and predictive insights to respond to the global Big Data Revolution. The programme is well-balanced and comprehensive by offering various subjects in IT and business analytics in addition to a full range of business core subjects.
On successful completion of the programme, graduates will also be awarded a degree from Lancaster University. They will be awarded two certificates, making them graduates of both Sunway University and Lancaster University.
Career paths
Graduates are equipped to take on in-demand roles such as:
- Business analyst
- Accounting analyst
- Finance analyst
- Information systems analyst
- Marketing analyst
- HR analyst
- Customer service analyst
- Sports analyst
- Social media analyst
- Business consultant
- Job-ready skills, relevant to industry
INTI's Master of Business Administration (Business Analytics) programme aims to develop skilled business analysts who can solve business challenges through data analytics. This course combines academic study with skills development to prepare students for the competitive job market.
- Contemporary curriculum
You will expand your knowledge and develop a broad business sense with modules focusing on analysis, strategy and leadership. There are also opportunities for students to gain a valuable network of professionals and business leaders in the industry.
- Accessible and flexible
Study part time or full time to suit your professional and personal commitments.
INTI's Master of Business Administration (Business Analytics) graduates are well equipped to pursue in-demand roles across different industries:
- Business and Management Consultant
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Marketing Analyst
- Accounting/Finance Analyst
- Human Resources Analyst
7. Business development manager
What does a business development manager do?
A business development manager identifies long-term growth opportunities for an organisation to boost revenue. The responsibilities of this role may involve finding and establishing relationships with new clients, negotiating business contracts, keeping up with market trends and examining competitors.
How does this role offer work-life balance?
As business development managers typically lead the business development and sales teams, they can delegate tasks to members efficiently instead of handling everything by themselves. These professionals may also have more autonomy in performing their tasks as managers, allowing them to arrange their workload to fit their work-life balance needs better. This can reduce stress levels and the probability of experiencing burnout.
Depending on the organisation and industry, business development managers may work in a remote or hybrid setting. They can conduct virtual meetings with clients as well as internal and external stakeholders, which helps them reduce the need for travel and have more time for their personal lives.
Average salary for a business development manager
Jobstreet reported that the average monthly salary for business development managers ranges from RM5,750 to RM8,250. You can find plenty of opportunities to enter this field in Malaysia and advance your career to becoming a business development manager. According to Jobstreet, business development is the second-highest job function for hiring full-time workers.
Obtaining a degree in marketing, business administration or management degree can help you secure more career opportunities in this field.
Learn the knowledge, skills, techniques, and ethics required to implement effective and efficient marketing strategies for products and services. This includes analysing market trends, defining target markets, creating marketing strategies, and unlocking business opportunities in various marketing fields.
Programme highlights
- Bringing industry experience into the classroom.
- A syllabus that is centred around digital marketing.
Career Paths
As graduates of this programme, you have the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers in:
- Marketing
- Management
- Public Relations
- Advertising
- Sales
This programme aims to provide students with:
- Essential management and entrepreneurial skills to succeed in any field while also meeting the demands of the job market, both locally and internationally
- Knowledge of management and marketing principles, corporate social policy, technopreneurship and macroeconomics.
- A strong emphasis on critical thinking skills to analyse and synthesise information in different business settings and contexts.
Specialisations
Students can choose from up to six areas of specialisation:
- Human Resource Management
- Logistics
- Finance
- Management
- International Business
- Marketing
Admission via Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
APEL enables local students to use their work experience to qualify for admission. There's also a chance to shorten their study duration and lower costs.
Career paths
Graduates of this programme will have a broad scope of roles available to them, including:
- Sales Executive
- Marketing Executive
- Product Development Executive
- Systems Analyst
- Business Analyst
- HR Executive
- Credit Control Officer
- Finance Executive
- Accounts Executive
- General Administrator
The Master of Management programme is ideally suited for candidates who are keen to launch their careers or embark on entrepreneurial endeavours. Whether you aspire to work in a professional setting or start your own business, this programme offers the ideal platform to achieve your goals.
As part of the programme, you can engage in consultancy work or undertake entrepreneurial projects. If you choose the consultancy track, you will collaborate with our employer partners to analyse business challenges and provide innovative solutions. This hands-on experience allows you to apply your knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios while building valuable connections with industry professionals. On the other hand, if you are interested in the entrepreneurial track, you will receive dedicated coaching and mentoring support to nurture your entrepreneurial spirit and develop your business ideas.
Highlights of this program:
Co-designed by industry experts - developed through extensive consultation and taught by senior faculty members consisting of industry practitioners.
Work and study balance - designed to give students the flexibility to keep their full time job while pursuing a postgraduate qualification.
Research project module - students interested in the entrepreneurial track will benefit from engaging in real-life projects guided by coaches and mentors.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Local students can take advantage of their prior work experiences to gain admission and have the opportunity to reduce their study duration and costs. They do not need to worry about not having an undergraduate degree as they can convert their work experiences for this postgraduate enrolment.
Career paths
When you've completed this programme, you could embark on any of these careers, including:
- Financial Analyst
- Management Consultant
- Management Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Human Resource Administrator
- Entrepreneur
- Industry Relations Specialist
- Marketing Manager
Tips for having work-life balance in business
Explore how to balance work and life commitments as a business professional below:
- Further your education
Consider pursuing tertiary studies that can help you move into a role that provides a better work-life balance. If you’re a working professional, you may be able to use your qualifications and work experience to gain course credits with the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Credit Award (APEL.C). This pathway can help you reduce the time and cost of completing your desired programme. - Set clear boundaries
Many professionals experience work fatigue after taking on a higher workload than they should. To achieve a healthier work-life balance, you need to recognise your limits and say ‘no’ when you don’t have the capacity. If you’re working from home, you can create a physical boundary by setting up a dedicated workspace for you to leave at the end of the work day. - Discuss with your manager
Honest and clear communication with your manager is vital to addressing your work issues, especially when it’s taking a toll on your personal life. You and your manager may come up with ways to help you manage your workload better, whether it means delegating tasks, working remotely or having flexible hours. - Prioritise tasks efficiently
Work may feel overwhelming and affect your work-life balance when you have many tasks of varying priorities to complete. Create a to-do list and make use of project management tools like Asana or Monday.com to organise your tasks according to importance. This can help you manage your time better by focusing on high-priority work rather than non-essential tasks. - Turn off work notifications after office hours
Technology has made it easier for work to encroach on private lives. For example, you may receive email notifications or messages from colleagues after working hours. To improve your work-life balance, switch off your work notifications from your devices after work to separate yourself from ‘work mode’. This can help you focus your time and energy towards your personal commitments. - Take breaks at work
One of the causes of burnout is working excessively. Make sure to take your lunch break and short breaks as you’re working throughout the day to help reduce mental fatigue. You should also make full use of your paid leave to relax or go on vacations so you can come back to work refreshed. - Prioritise your personal wellbeing
Put yourself first by engaging in various self-care routines, such as eating healthily, getting enough rest, doing your hobbies, exercising and spending time with your loved ones. These activities can improve your overall mental and physical health, as well as remind yourself that your value as a person is not exclusively tied to your work.
How a business degree can lead to better work-life balance
You may consider changing careers if you’re struggling with work-life balance in your existing role. Pursuing a business degree can give you access to a variety of career options across different sectors such as marketing, finance and human resources. You can improve your career prospects and have more opportunities to find a role that allows you to manage your personal and professional commitments better.
For example, if you’re interested in growing your operations career within your industry, you can consider becoming a project manager. Pursuing a master’s degree in project management can help you develop the necessary skills to lead projects and teams. Some courses also allow you to study while you work. The Master of Project Management from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) offers a two-year part-time mode and the Master of Project Management Online programme from Open University Malaysia (OUM) is conducted fully online. These programmes allow you to study without sacrificing your work obligations.
Balance work and personal life effectively in your business career
Having a good work-life balance is vital for you to flourish as a business professional. It ensures that you can advance further in your career while taking care of your personal wellbeing. If your current role is not able to provide this for you, you can take necessary measures to rectify this issue, such as exploring other business roles that can support your professional and personal needs better.
Pursuing relevant tertiary education can also help open more doors to high-paying jobs with good work-life balance. Explore various courses that are relevant to your desired field, whether it’s business administration, marketing or finance.