Employment Information
Accounting
Occupational Information: Accounting majors find employment in a variety of positions. Public accountants provide accounting, audit, tax, and consulting services to clients on a fee basis. Management accountants work in private industry or not-for-profit entities and are typically involved in budgeting, performance evaluation, cost and asset management. Internal auditors assist organizations identifying and eliminating inefficiencies and fraud. Government accountants and auditors seek to enhance controls and efficiency of entities using tax dollars.
Business Administration
Occupational Information: A major in business administration is excellent preparation for fields of business, which require diversity. The emphasis of a major in business administration is on breadth of knowledge rather than depth of knowledge. Students majoring in business administration will choose courses from the fields of accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing. Because of the diverse courses taken by students majoring in business administration, they may seek positions in finance, management, marketing, or small business management.
The field of business administration involves coordinating, implementing, promoting, supervising, and directing activities of individuals, organizations, and businesses. Students majoring in business administration are exposed to methods of operation, coordination, sales and marketing, finance and budget, personnel, and property & equipment management. Other key areas concentrated upon are interpersonal communications, delegating, supervising community resources, employee organizations, and policy making and implementation.
For more information about opportunities in business administration, visit the web page of the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://stats.bls.gov. Click on "Occupational Outlook Handbook" and then search by using "Manager."
Finance
Occupational Information: A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field is the minimum academic preparation for a financial manager, but many employers increasingly seek graduates with a master's degree and a strong analytical background.
Almost every firm, government agency, and organization has one or more financial managers who oversee the preparation of financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. As computers are increasingly used to record and organize data, many financial managers are spending more time developing strategies and implementing the long-term goals of their organization.
The role of financial manager, particularly in business, is changing in response to technological advances that have significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to produce financial reports. Financial managers now perform more data analysis and use it to offer ideas to senior managers on how to maximize profits. They often work on teams acting as business advisors to top management. Financial managers need to keep abreast of the latest computer technology in order to improve the efficiency of their firm's financial operations.
For more information about opportunities in finance, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website at http://stats.bls.gov. Click on "Occupational Outlook Handbook" and then search by using "Financial Manager."
International Business
Occupational Information: A major in international business will prepare you by defining and focusing you on a functional area of business (e.g., marketing, finance, or management) and then studying the international aspects of that functional area. Your education experience should have both a global and integrative outlook and your quantitative skills should be developed.
International business majors will often work in domestic operations for an organization before they are given international responsibilities. Students are strongly encouraged to have some sort of international experience while they are students, such as an internship or study as an international exchange student. International business majors are also encouraged to interact with international students at MSUM and elsewhere in the region through clubs and other student organizations. You should not overlook the possibility of working for a foreign company in the United States or abroad.
For more information about opportunities in international business, visit the web page of the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://stats.bls.gov. Click on "Occupational Outlook Handbook" and then search by using the functional area of business you are interested in.
Management
Occupational Information: A major in management allows you to explore a wide variety of jobs in business, industry, and government. A master's degree may be helpful as you take on greater managerial responsibilities.
Business managers plan, organize, staff, and direct a business or institution. They may run an entire organization or one of its units. They become involved in such areas as managing human resources, labor relations, resolving conflicts, motivating and evaluating subordinates, negotiating, and decision-making.
Management majors learn to plan and organize the work force of a business, they learn to direct the employees to make the best and most efficient use of time, they learn the importance of quantitative and economic analysis, and they learn to attract the best employees available and match those employees to the jobs they can do best.
For more information about opportunities in management, visit the web page of the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://stats.bls.gov. Click on "Occupational Outlook Handbook" and then search by using "Manager."
Marketing
Occupational Information: Persons interested in becoming advertising, marketing, and public relations managers should be mature, creative, highly motivated, resistant to stress, flexible, and decisive. The ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, with other managers, staff, and the public is vital. Advertising, marketing, and public relations managers also need tact, good judgment, and exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective personal relationships with supervisory and professional staff members and client firms.
The objective of any firm is to market its products or services profitably. In small firms, the owner or CEO might assume all advertising, promotions, marketing, sales, and public relations responsibilities. In large firms, which may offer numerous products and services nationally or even worldwide, an executive vice president directs overall advertising, promotions, marketing, sales, and public relations policies.
Marketing students explore the methods businesses use to find out what customers need, now it can be supplied, and how to tell their customers about the products. Marketing research, marketing strategy, sales, advertising, sales promotion, pricing, and product development are areas students of marketing will study.
For more information about opportunities in marketing, visit the web page of the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://stats.bls.gov. Click on "Occupational Outlook Handbook" and then search by using "Marketing."