Corporate Executive
Corporate Executive Career Overview
A career as a corporate executive is, for many, the pinnacle of the business world. There are a variety of specializations within the field of “corporate executives”, from chief accounting executive to chief compliance executive. Whatever specialty an executive has, it is his or her job to manage and oversee all operations within his or her field of responsibility. The corporate executive must also organize and deliver information to the corporation's board of directors and inspire and motivate the employees below him in the organization.
Executives are paid extremely high salaries because they work in high pressure environments and make decisions that can make or break a corporation. Good leadership within the organization, whether public or private, depends largely on shareholder value and the financial earnings of the company.
Executives must also have a comprehensive vision for the future of their corporation. This vision and long-term plan is what will drive and motivate the workers who look up to the executive. Projects a corporate executive will demand attention to detail and a results-driven attitude. Most of the work a corporate executive does will be based on the operational continuity of the organization. Many choices he or she makes will have long-term effects on the policy and procedure of the organization.
Executives must also engage in ongoing personnel management to get the most out of their employees.
Corporate Executive Training and Education
Although there have been corporate executives who were self-starters and received little or no formal education, most will have an absolute minimum of an associate's degree. Most, however, will have a bachelor's degree or even more advanced certifications like a master's in business administration. While achieving these certifications, it is essential to take classes in business, finance, and business management to be a successful corporate executive.
Corporate executives must have excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. They must be able to make quick decisions and keep multiple streams of information in their head at the same time. A successful corporate executive will also be extremely detail-oriented.
Corporate Executive Salary Outlook
Due to the high pressure nature of their job, corporate executives are some of the best-paid workers in the country. However, if you are working for a small company, you will most likely make less money. Corporate executives' salaries also depend on a number of factors other than the size of the company, including the industry, the executive's title, the corporation's locality, the executive's experience, and his level of education. In 2008, corporate executives made from $38,000 to $140,000 or higher.
The field is expected to grow at an average rate through 2016, but as undergraduate degrees and even advanced degrees become more predominant in the workplace, the field will become increasingly competitive. The current economic downturn will also likely reduce the compensation and placement available even to those who are eminently qualified.
Article Resources:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsCareer Overview
