What is Business Management?
New York State has a vibrant and growing economy. In fact, of the state's top industries, it holds a position in the top five nationwide for all but manufacturing, where it's #9 in the nation. For instance, the state's top industry sector, finance and insurance, leads the nation. This is no surprise when we consider Wall Street and the fact that NYC is home to five of the United States' top ten banks. That, in turn, puts New York in the running for being home to the top global financial centers. In fact, the New York Stock Exchange has a market capitalization that exceeds $20 trillion. The NASDAQ adds approximately another $25 billion.
Finance is not the only strength that New York brings to the economic table, however. The state's second largest industrial sector is real estate, which is the second largest in the nation, and professional & business services comes in at #3, which is also second nationwide. Other strengths in the New York economy include, but are not limited to, arts and entertainment, manufacturing, information, and wholesale trade. While each of these industrial sectors is unique and has its own relative challenges and rewards, they all have at least one thing in common. They each need a team of business management professionals to keep the doors open and the profits flowing.
A business manager is a professional who oversees personnel, processes, or assets. Managers are responsible for ensuring that a business runs with smooth efficiency so that it maintains its profitability. While most business managers work for commercial enterprises, managers are needed in non-profit organizations and governmental agencies, too. The same skills apply regardless of the relative tax status of the organization.
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Online Business Management Education in New York
The New York economy needs a strong population of state and private college and universities that train top management professionals. In New York City alone, there are numerous top business schools, and upstate New York also has world class business and management programs at schools such as Cornell, Syracuse, and the SUNY system in general. New York also has a very strong community college system that is constantly feeding four-year colleges and universities with highly qualified students who go on to great things.
To ensure that these business degree programs grow and thrive, they are always looking for highly qualified faculty members. They not only seek faculty who have been trained in the best business degree programs but also those with real-world experience. Since New York is a global leader in so many industries, it's easy to attract visiting professors whose invaluable experience informs students and prepares them for success in the long-term.
Since management jobs are found in every industry and sector, managers work in a wide range of environments. Some may do their work from home, while others are in the heat of a construction site every day. Managers thus might work exclusively on a computer with their day punctuated with meetings and emails, while others are in a restaurant running around to make sure that the kitchen workers have what they need or that servers are delivering a satisfactory customer experience. What your specific day looks like is likely to hinge on the industry you find yourself in.
Online Associates (AS)
This degree is a perfect route to success in business. Depending on the industry, many management professionals with an AS business management degree find that they can achieve great success. Management students in a community college not only study management but they complete the core college curriculum required by New York's finest public colleges and universities. In fact, many community colleges work with the state university system to ensure that a student with an associate business management degree can easily transfer to the SUNY system to gain a bachelor’s if they choose to.
Students should look around at a variety of community colleges to determine which one has the best associate management degree for them. Some may focus on certain types of management, such as supply chain management or operations management. Others may offer a more general management degree. There are also many online associate management degrees available to New York students.
Online Bachelors (BS)
While an associate business management degree is a great start, most employers prefer a bachelor's degree, even for entry-level roles. The added two years of study enable students to dive deeper into management topics that are unavailable to those in community colleges. Students in their final two years of college may also be able to pursue independent study courses where they pursue their own research and inquiry. Bachelor’s business degree programs also focus on internship opportunities that can make a huge difference when it comes time to launch a career.
A bachelor's business management degree is also helpful for those who have big long-term goals. Managers who desire a seat in the C-suites can use their bachelor's degree to leverage themselves into an MBA program. They can also use their bachelor's degrees to earn certain certifications that may not be available for those at the associate degree level.
Online Masters (MS)
The culmination of professional business degrees is the MBA. For years it has reigned supreme as a defacto requirement for a C-suite position. The curriculum is demanding, but thorough. The first year starts with a general education into business at the graduate level, thus more in-depth than your undergraduate classes. The second year is focused on a concentration area, such as management or marketing. There are even concentrations in healthcare administration and supply chain management.
An MS in management is also a terrific option. This degree is perfect for some, especially those who aren't interested in becoming a CEO. This route will focus the entire degree on management issues and students can spend the entire degree focused on their area of specialty. There are MS in Management degree programs that support sports management, employee relations, small business management, supply chain management, or business analytics, among many other options.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
PhDs or doctorate degrees aren't very prevalent in the business community. However, certain fields are beginning to require deeper understanding. In particular, a PhD or doctorate may be highly valued for management professionals who work in high technology. Their doctorate is most likely to come from their specific area of interest such as computer science, mathematics, supply chain management, or engineering.
A PhD is also valuable for those who are looking for a second career after they have finished working in the business community. They can use their doctorate to land a well-paid professorship with a local university or they could teach for an online program while enjoying their seaside bungalow. Some may even work as research faculty who spend their time doing deep research into management topics for a variety of organizations outside of their university.
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Become a Business Manager in New York
Business management is a field that is as old as commercial enterprise itself. Since the rise of agrarian culture, people have found it necessary to oversee their workers and other parts of their operation in order to maintain efficiency and viability in the market. Managers thus have become ever more specialized over time. Where there used to be stable managers who oversaw horses or other cattle, there are now managers who oversee computer systems, finances, or marketing efforts of an organization. To become one of these business professionals in New York there are a few steps you might want to consider.
First off, every aspiring business management professional should determine which industry they are most interested in. Some may love food and thus desire to become the general manager of a fine dining establishment. Others may love logistics and want to dive into supply chain management. There are still more who want to manage marketing departments or law firms.
Once you know what industry means the most to you, it's vital to get a degree. Some industries need less academic training than others. Food service, for instance, is an industry that is more interested in experience and restaurant knowledge than advanced education. To manage a more complex organization, such as a marketing firm, would likely require at least a bachelor's management degree, if not also an MBA in marketing. Business management professionals may also want a bachelor's degree or greater for the purpose of earning certifications. Some fields, such as supply chain management, are dominated with professionals who hold industry credentials, but you first needed an undergraduate degree (or better) in order to sit for the exam or take the required courses. Graduate degrees are not always required.
Many can launch a business management career with an associate degree. This level of academic achievement can, in fact, lead to a terrific career. A hard worker with an associate degree can often land a spot in a management training program with a local firm. They could also apply their knowledge toward a small business of their own. An associate business degree will help them formulate a workable business model that will not only help land a business loan but will structure their work for years to come.
Careers for Business Management Graduates
- Sales Manager:
These management professionals often are required to have several years of experience selling products in their industry of choice. While education is always appreciated, in most industries, the key qualifier for a management candidate will be experience and a proven track record in sales. Sales managers need to have strong leadership qualities and the ability to motivate their employees. - Financial Analyst:
This job title can apply to many different actual jobs. Some financial analysts work for non-banking entities and their job is to analyze their firm's finances. In investment banking, financial analysts enter a two-year program of intensive work. They are very well paid, but the job essentially ends after two years, with some exceptions. Most investment banking analysts take their final bonus to pay for an MBA that then launches them into an associate position in investment banking. - Account Manager:
Typically, account managers are found in fields such as marketing and public relations. However, the title can also be used for other sales professionals. These management professionals work with clients to ensure that their needs are met and that they continue to purchase more goods or services and maintain their account with the company. Account managers often are also responsible for building new business and closing deals with new clients. - Operations Manager:
Operations managers work with the day-to-day functions of their firm more than the personnel or finances, etc. Operations managers usually have at least a bachelor's business management degree, if not an MBA with a concentration in operations management. Experience is likely a large factor when applying for these positions, though some firms may offer a management training program. - Project Manager:
Project management involves many administrative tasks including scheduling, personnel matters, and coordinating with clients. Many project management revolves around IT teams who need a manager who is familiar with the relevant issues. Construction project management is also a prominent position. Project managers also work with auditing teams who visit clients to review their books. - HR Manager:
To land this position, most will need years of experience in human resources and some firms will prefer those with an MBA with an HR concentration. HR management oversees all aspects of their department including employee orientations, compensation issues, and benefits enrollment periods. - Benefits Specialist:
Benefits are a crucial part of employee compensation, and a benefits specialist is in charge of delivering the best benefits packages to their employees. These specialists often have a business management degree that focused on human resources. The position may also require an MBA with a concentration in human resources. Benefits specialists may work as contractors for companies who need someone to research and negotiate the best benefits packages for them. - Management Information System Specialist:
This position sits between traditional business operations and information technology. An MIS specialist evaluates their firm's technology needs and sees that the appropriate hardware and software is ordered. Since many in management aren't so tech savvy, this position is handy for translating tech needs from management to the IT department and IT needs back to budgeting experts in management.
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