Category: Your Career (Page 44 of 62)

A leadership development degree (MBA) can prepare you for a variety of management careers. The curriculum for this degree is designed to help you develop decision-making skills conflict and management skills, and of course, leadership skills. Common career paths include:

• Project Management
• Human Resources Management
• Financial Management
• Non-Profit Management
• Management Consulting

Project managers are responsible for assembling and managing teams assigned to a specific project. They also plan and organize projects.

Human resource managers manage employee pay and benefits, development and training, hiring, and employee relations.

Financial managers handle accounting, financial analysis, investment portfolios, and financial reports. They are also responsible for financial legislation and regulation, and cash management of companies.

Non-profit managers manage the operations and development of non-profit organizations. They might work for an environmental agency, human rights organizations, health care facilities, and many others.

Management consultants help companies by providing advice and expertise aimed at improving business performance, maximizing growth, and creating value. They work for human resource departments, information technology firms, marketing firms, supply-chain firms, and many others.

In addition to a variety of job options, leadership development graduates can look forward to job growth and stability. Depending on the position, job growth is expected to average from 8-20 percent between now and 2018. Entry-level leadership development professionals earn around $50,000-$60,000 per year. MBA holders with experience can expect to earn from $92,390-$128,330+ per year.

An MBA with a focus in leadership development is the way to go if you want to work at a top firm. Although it is not required for entry into the field, many employers prefer an MBA. Nearly 30 percent of all professionals in this field hold an MBA, while nearly 40 percent hold a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree holders usually start out it entry-level or assistant positions.

Earning Your Leadership Development Degree

To earn an MBA with a focus in leadership development, you will have to enroll in a program at an accredited college or university. The following accrediting agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

The following recognized agencies offer regional accreditation:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

To find the best programs, try searching though college directories such as Petersons.com, Princetonreview.com or U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges.

Information systems managers play an important role in the execution and management of technology within their organizations. Their job is to coordinate, direct, and plan research involving the computer-related activities of firms. They help determine the goals of an organization with the assistance of other managers, and then enable the technology to meet those goals. Information systems managers oversee all technical aspects of a company, including Internet operations, network security, and software development. For these demanding tasks, IS managers receive a handsome salary, job security, and unlimited opportunities for advancement.

At $112,210 per year, the average information systems managers earns nearly three times as much as the average American does. Some of the highest paid information systems managers may earn more than $141,000 per year, which is nearly four times as much as the national average of $40,711.61 per year.

Salaries for IS managers vary industry. Some of the top industries for information systems managers are:

• -Software publishers $126,840
• -Computer systems design and related services $118,120
• -Management of companies and enterprises $115,150
• -Depository credit intermediation $113,380
• -Insurance carriers $109,810

Although these industries employ the highest numbers of IS managers, job growth overall is expected to average 17 percent between now and 2018.

As you advance in your information systems career, you can expect more than just a handsome salary. Higher level managers often receive benefits such as bonuses, stock option plans, and expense accounts.

How to Become an Information Systems Manager

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS) is the minimum requirement to become an information systems manager, but most employers prefer an MBA with a technology focus. On occasion, an employer may hire a candidate with a bachelor’s degree, but he or she likely has many, many years of experience.

To make sure you have enough education and training to compete in this field, choose an accredited college, technical school, or university and take full advantage of the institutions internship program. Look for schools accredited by the agencies listed below, whether you plan to earn your degree on-campus or online.

• -Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• -The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• -The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• -Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
• -Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
• -Council on Occupational Education (COE)
• -Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)

Regional Accrediting Agencies:

• -Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• -New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• -North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• -Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• -Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• -Western Association of Schools and Colleges

You can also check the U.S. Department of Education website for other recognized accrediting agencies. If you would like more information about information systems management careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos258.htm.