Manager

Manager Career Overview

Managers work in every type of industry, from government agencies to small businesses to large corporations and non-profit organizations. While the specific duties of a manager can vary depending on the type of business he or she works in, the main tasks of a manager typically involve hiring, organizing, and supervising a staff of people in order to meet company goals and standards.

Manager Training and Education

Because managers work in every type of business, the training required can vary by industry. Those who wish to work in management may obtain an associate's, a bachelor's, and even a master's degree in business administration, organizational leadership, or management. A manager may also have an educational background in the field in which he or she wants to work; for example, a restaurant manager may have a degree in hospitality management, while a retail manager might possess a degree in fashion merchandising, and a manager in a government agency may hold a degree in public policy or organizational leadership.

In addition, when hiring managers, most employers look for a certain number of years of experience in the field, along with a demonstrated ability to lead people. School-related achievements, such as receiving leadership awards, holding positions of responsibility in student organizations, and successfully completing an internship may compensate for a lack of experience and make a candidate more appealing to employers.

Manager Career and Salary Outlook

The career and salary outlook for managers varies greatly by industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007, the highest paid managers worked in private industry, earning an average of $41.86 per hour, while the lowest paid managers worked in the non-profit sector, averaging a wage of $34.24 per hour. Human resources managers are amongst those expected to see the greatest growth in employment by 2016, with a 17 percent increase, per the BLS.

Career Fields/Specializations

Retail Manager

Retail managers are in charge of the staff and daily operations of a retail establishment. They hire, train, and supervise staff, and deal with customer disputes. They may also be responsible for performing inventory as well as making sure that the store meets certain sales quotas.

Restaurant and Hotel Managers

Restaurant and hotel managers are in charge of overseeing the day to day operations of an establishment, ensuring that guests are satisfied with the service provided, improving customer relations, keeping apprised of current trends, and increasing business and revenue.

Sales Managers

Sales managers work in industries in which there are products or advertising to be sold. Advertising sales managers are employed by newspapers, broadcast facilities, book publishing houses, magazine and website publishers, billboard advertisement firms, and other companies which have advertising space to sell. They may be responsible for making sure their department achieves certain quotas, and typically a sales manager will have a background as a successful sales executive. Product and service sales managers may work for wholesale distributors, sporting goods and clothing manufacturers, software firms, and companies which provide services. These managers usually start out as lower level or junior sales executives and work their way up.

Banking and Financial Managers

Financial and banking managers work for investment companies, financial advising firms, banks, and large corporations. Their roles include those of branch managers, financial and investment advisors, chief financial officers, controllers, and vice presidents of finance.

Human Resource Managers

Human resources managers serve as a liaison between company employees and upper level managers. They may be in charge of hiring and training employees, processing payroll, disbursing benefits information, dealing with holiday and vacation requests, and resolving disputes amongst employees.

Non-Profit Managers

Managers in non-profit organizations may be in charge of making sure their staff achieves certain fundraising goals in order to keep the organization financially sound. They may also be in charge of other administrative departments within the non-profit group, and must possess excellent organizational and leadership skills.

Government Managers

Managers in government agencies work in federal, state, or local government, and must adhere to strict guidelines in order to manage a department or group. Typically, they have backgrounds working in government, public policy, or community organizations.

Article Resources:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cm20081022ar01p1.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos010.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm

Ferris State University: Bachelor's Degree in Management