BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Students studying Business Management usually begin with courses in Computer Information Systems, Principles of Management, Accounting, Economics, Business Communications, and Psychology. After completing these foundation courses, students pursue more advanced studies in Human Resource Management, Leadership, Marketing, Quality Management and Finance. Students then have the choice of specializing in one of the areas of Marketing, Finance, or Management.

For more information about the Business Management major, please contact either the Department of Management & Information Systems 330-672-2750 or the College of Business Administration, Undergraduate Programs Office, 330-672-2872.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The Business Management major gives students credentials important to getting the first job as an entry-level manager or manager-trainee. Every organization of any size and type depends on and needs managers, including, as examples, the small corner store, department stores, accounting firms, retirement homes, a manufacturing firm such as Toys R Us, or a business to business type of organization such as Proctor & Gamble.

During a career in management, one's responsibility can grow from the job of entry-level manager, to department manager, and eventually to division manager or even to CEO (Chief Executive Officer). As in most fields of work, upon completion of the degree, the entry-level manager or trainee usually experiences an initial time period of on-the-job training. For example, a management-trainee might spend time in every department of an organization learning the business inside and out. Then after the training period, the manager-trainee will be assigned to a specific department and begin to have responsibility for the performance of an area or department of the organization.

How far one advances in managerial positions depends on training (such as the Business Management major), talent for working with people, and effort. Working with people is a primary focus of management; therefore, good communications skills (both oral and written) are essential to the success of the manager.

RELATED EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

To build connections for eventual employment opportunities and to develop organizational and leadership skills, students are encouraged to join student organizations. Involvement of this kind gives students the chance to participate in extracurricular activities in the field of Business Management and it allows students to interact with faculty and management practitioners in informal settings. One such student organization of considerable appeal to any business major is Delta Sigma Pi, the professional business fraternity -- open to both men and women. In addition, there are approximately 200 other student organizations in which students may find opportunities to develop accounting and general business skills.

RELATED ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Employers and educators recognize the importance of building a strong liberal arts background -- especially for business students. Students are encouraged to consider minors offered by the other colleges and schools at Kent. For example: a student might like to manage a retirement home. Having a major in Business Management and a minor in gerontology might be very helpful in achieving this goal. Since communications skills are so important to the success of managers, a major in Business Management and a minor in speech communication might also be very helpful.

College of Business Administration
The Department of Management & Information Systems
Graduate School of Management
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-2750