Careers in Business and Management

Careers in Business and Management

When looking at any successful business organization, one will find people with various skills, education and experience. Each person contributes something different to make the business a success. Companies face greater challenges today with the ups and downs of the economic market as well as the challenges of competing in the global economy. Life-long learning by each individual will contribute to keeping a company's competitive edge intact.

Entry Level to the Business Community
When considering a career in business and management, consider your own strengths, skills and experience as well as what your interests might be. Here are a few of the many business and management areas you can explore:

For the student seeking an entry level position, companies may hire graduates of a certificate, associate degree or baccalaureate degree program. Entry level courses for the business major give a broad preparation for a career in business and may include study in accounting, economics, finance, business communication, human relations, business law, management and organizational principles, and an introduction to computers in business.

Career Advancement
Beef Up Your Business Skills
If you're already employed in business or management, career advancement or career change may be important to you. There are many avenues you can take to reach your goal. You can consider completing additional business courses, a certificate or an advanced degree such as an additional baccalaureate in a complimentary field or an MBA.

Being successful in the business world means having a broad range of up-to-date business skills. Project management, marketing and sales training are traditional areas of skill development, but how are your "soft" skills? Business writing, conflict management, negotiation and stress management are some of the many important soft skills a business person needs to succeed in today's marketplace.

As fun as it may be, taking a couple of days off for a corporate seminar is not always feasible, and virtually impossible for the small-business owner. Taking business courses online saves time and money and gives you the opportunity to learn at your own pace. Browse the wide range of courses available and develop that competitive edge you need for continued success. Click here for online business courses.

MBA Programs
General Management Admission Test (GMAT)
If you wish to pursue an MBA, one of the first steps is taking the General Management Admission Test (GMAT). Also known as the GMAT CAT (Computer Adaptive Test), the GMAT is required by nearly every business school as part of the admission process. This computerized test is composed of both multiple choice question and essay formats. The test is designed to measure skills you have acquired, how well you write and your ability to think logically.

Your score will be used by admissions officers as a standardized measurement when comparing you with other candidates. Many schools will list the average GMAT scores of their current students so this will give you an idea of how you might fit in. Doing your best on this test is important to your overall application.

Preparing for the test is critical. There are many self-help and self-study books available. The literature suggests studying for about two months on a part time basis. There are also test-prep companies available to help you. Some companies have classes you must attend; others have online study available. Click here for GMAT resources.

• Visit the online MBA section.

Planning your Business & Management Education
When you investigate business degree and certificate programs, consider the following points when choosing which college or university to attend:

• The degree program should be state accredited. Click here for more information about accreditation.
• Speak with admissions counsellors to determine the flexibility of the programs offered. For example, can you study a wide range of courses in your first and second years and then create a major and a minor in your third and fourth years? Maybe you wish to structure a major in your second year?
• What works best for you? Taking two years of college and then transferring to a four-year program? Or would you prefer four years at the same school?
• Does the school offer career services that include job placement, a resume service, job fairs and networking opportunities? Is there a fee connected with the career services offered? What is the placement rate for graduates of the program?
• Are you able to attend school full-time or part-time? Evenings or weekends only? Have you considered online or distance learning. Click here for more information on online learning.
• What is the cost of the education required? Will you require financial aid? Could you qualify for a scholarship? Are loans or grants available to you? Click here for more information about financial aid.

No matter what piques your interest, careers in the business and management field offer many options to students.

• Get Started: Visit the links on the left navigation bar to review current career information and learn more about the nature of the jobs that interest you, such as salary expectations, working conditions, future outlook of the profession, employment rates and educational requirements.