Education and Training

A management degree may be earned in a number of specific fields, such as educational management or hospital management. Those interested in earning a general management degree, however, are usually most interested in obtaining a position within the business sector or in an administrative capacity. Therefore, coursework commonly required in order to earn a management degree include computer applications, business mathematics, office technology, human resources, accounting, and business law.

Employment Opportunities

Earning a management degree makes it possible to pursue a management position in nearly every field. On the other hand, if you are interested in pursuing a management position within a certain field, it is advantageous to take additional coursework that compliments that field. Some common management positions that may be pursued after earning a management degree include:

• Manager of personal property acquisition and disposal
• Manager of unclaimed property
• Administrative services manager

A manger of personal property acquisitions and disposal will be involved in the purchasing and selling of goods. As such, it is necessary to have knowledge about equipment, supplies, and machinery. A manager of unclaimed property, on the other hand, oversees insurance claims and records management.

An administrative services manager is responsible for performing a number of duties. They may coordinate and oversee the support services of a business or organization. Or, they may manage various departments and personnel, such as payroll, reception, conference planning, and administration.

Employment of administrative services managers is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014. Like persons seeking other managerial positions, applicants will face keen competition because there will be more competent, experienced workers seeking jobs than there will be positions available. However, demand should be strong for facility managers because businesses increasingly are realizing the importance of maintaining, securing, and efficiently operating their facilities, which are very large investments for most organizations. Administrative services managers employed in management services and management consulting also should be in demand, as public and private organizations continue to streamline and, in some cases, contract out administrative services functions in an effort to cut costs.

Earnings of administrative services managers vary greatly depending on the employer, the specialty, and the geographic area. In general, however, median annual earnings of administrative services managers in May 2004 were $60,290. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,680 and $83,510. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $110,270. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of these managers in May 2004 were:

• Management of companies and enterprises = $71,870
• Elementary and secondary schools = 65,850
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools = 61,020
• Local government = 59,380
• State government = 55,500

In the Federal Government, industrial specialists in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions averaged $69,802 a year in 2005. Corresponding averages were $69,211 for facility operations services managers, $67,185 for industrial property managers, $63,614 for property disposal specialists, $67,855 for administrative officers, and $60,370 for support services administrators.

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