What is Management?

Management is the art of getting things done through other people. Managers directly support and facilitate the work efforts of other people in organizations. Management involves planning, directing, organizing, and controlling activities to attain the goals of the organization, and a key aspect of managerial work is accountability to higher levels for performance results. High-performing managers are good at building working relationships with others, helping others develop their skills, fostering teamwork, and otherwise creating a work environment that is satisfying for employees and oriented toward pursuit of the organization­s goals. In organizations today, the best managers are usually known more for supporting than for order-giving, and the words coordinator, coach, and team leader are heard as often as supervisor or manager.

The Raj Soin College of Business offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a major in management. The major provides a solid foundation for aspiring managers. Program highlights include:

• hands-on class projects in leadership and team functions
• project-based coursework in organizational change and development
• elective choices to allow programs tailored to individual needs
• a faculty actively involved in scholarly activities and in community activities
• a strong internship program, which allows qualified students to receive managerial experience and receive college credit for the learning experience.

Careers in Management

Managers work in different capacities and at different levels of authority within organizations. Functional managers have responsibility for a single area of activity, such as finance, marketing, or sales. General managers are responsible for more complex units that include many functional areas. General managers often have previous experience as a functional manager.

Careers in management typically begin in one of two ways. People either work their way up from line positions to managerial positions (leading to a functional management position), or they are selected to participate in a management training program (leading to a general management position). An undergraduate degree in management supports both career paths, because degree holders have the ability to view organizational situations broadly as well as analytically.

Career Opportunities