Can You Do Your Boss's Job? 10 Careers to Launch You Up the Management Ladder
By:
John Tuthill
Do you think you have what it takes to do your boss's job? Well, you are certainly not the only one. A recent survey reported in the Wall Street Journal found that nearly 75% of executives feel that they could do a better job than their boss. Read Below..
1. Lead Managing Nurse
Nursing is the largest healthcare occupation in the US, with nearly 2.5 million registered nurses currently in practice. If you are looking to advance your nursing career, you may want to pursue an administrative position as a head nurse. Head nurses often possess a bachelor's degree in nursing and work their way up from a staff nurse to a management position. However, some schools also offer graduate-level degrees in healthcare administration, which can significantly increase your chances of entering management. Registered nurses hold 2.4 million jobs and make up the largest occupation in health care. They are also expected to generate the second largest number of new jobs in all occupations through 2014. There are three educational paths to become a registered nurse: obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate's Degree in Nursing (AND), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. These programs cover the basics in biological, physical, and social sciences in addition to teaching students how to care for the sick and disabled. Obtaining a nursing degree is the first step to becoming part of a booming industry devoted to helping others feel better.
2. Marketing Manager
Within the advertising field, the numbers say it all: marketing managers earn a mean salary of $107,000, nearly twice that of the average advertising sales agent. How can you make the jump from a sales agent to a manager? A combination of experience and education is crucial for success in the competitive world of marketing. Though online MBA degree programs, many advertising executives are able to gain both of these qualifications without quitting their jobs.
As more and more companies around the globe compete for consumer dollars, people with marketing degrees are becoming increasingly important in the business world. A degree in marketing offers a way to become proficient in areas such as trend analysis of consumer spending, market analysis, and e-commerce. Upon completion, a degree in marketing can lead to employment opportunities worldwide. Salaries for professionals in this field are attractive as well. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers' median annual earnings were $87,640 in 2004.
3. Information Technology Manager
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that administrative positions in information technology (IT) will grow at an astounding rate over the next decade. Job opportunities should therefore be excellent for IT specialists who have earned an advanced degree in the information technology field. IT managers must be able to take charge in a fast-paced environment, and have the knowledge necessary to manage complex computer systems.
Technology degrees prepare you for a career in information, whether your interests lean towards computing, engineering, design, healthcare, business, or telecommunications. Choose a fast-track certification or associate's degree in information technology, and you'll have a career-launching credential that will qualify you for a tech job in two years or less. If you want to be a designer, engineer, or manager, get a bachelor's degree in web development, system design, or communications technology. A bachelor's in e-business opens management doors, but an MBA in technology or information can take you farther. Want to invent the systems that others use? Stay on for your doctorate in information technology. In technology careers, the growth potential is limitless.
4. Head Graphic Designer
If you are a member of a design team and aspire to become a team leader, an advanced graphic design degree is an excellent way to earn a promotion. While experience and leadership skills can get you a long way, a graduate degree from a graphic design school is a straightforward and effective route to a successful design career.
In 1865, the writer Horace Greeley announced the latest frontier by saying, "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country." Today's enterprising sage would probably say, Go digital, and grow with the economy. Programming services in WiFi and Bluetooth, creating Fortune 500 Web sites, and filming independent movies are great examples of how media artists are digitalizing our culture. If you have a keen eye and artistic sensibilities, design courses can prepare you for an industry that shows no sign of slowing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that graphic artists with animation and Web design skills will have the best opportunities through the end of the decade and beyond. About one third of working digital media artists will be self employed.
5. Head Legal Research Manager
Although paralegals who work for large law firms or corporate legal departments can sometimes gain promotion to managerial positions, these administrative occupations are usually reserved for those with superior qualifications. Some paralegals choose to return to law school, while others attend paralegal schools that offer graduate degrees designed for legal research managers.
Legal and law enforcement careers span the criminal justice system from police to lawyers to corrections officers. Law enforcement positions include entry-level police recruits, detectives, DEA and INS agents, FBI, and a range of upper management positions. Federal law enforcement positions require at least a bachelor's degree. FBI officers are expected to hold a professional law or accounting degree. In the legal field, positions include legal secretary, paralegal, lawyer, and judge. Certificates are available in legal studies and paralegal training. Lawyers and judges attend a three-year law school after their undergraduate education, earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. In the corrections system, positions range from bailiff to probation officer. Many bailiff and correctional officer positions require only a high school diploma, but probation officers typically hold bachelor's or master's degrees in social work or criminal justice.
6. Hotel Manager
Hotel managers possess one of the most desired occupations in the hospitality industry. Prospective managers can benefit greatly from attending hospitality management school, where they can learn the financial and entrepreneurial skills to successfully run a hotel business. Successful managers also should be adept at supervising staff and interacting with a wide range of customers.
Culinary education prepares students for various jobs within the food service industry, from restaurant management to pastry chef. Degrees include six- to eight-week diplomas, certificates in specialty areas, a two-year Associate of Applied Science, and a four-year Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts. Culinary coursework includes instruction in food preparation, cooking techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, and sanitation and safety. Restaurant management and hospitality degrees are available at the associate's and bachelor's degree level. Instruction includes sanitation, nutrition, and food planning, as well as business classes such as accounting and business management. A culinary education offers a unique opportunity to combine creativity and design with business management skills and customer service.
7. Social Work Administrator
Within the world of social work, there's a great need for managers who have the skills to run social assistance organizations. If you are a social worker hoping to become a manager, you will likely need both experience and education. An advanced psychology degree is an excellent asset when trying to become a social work administrator.
With a degree in psychology, you're prepared for one of the helping professions: counseling, family therapy, clinical healthcare, or social work. You can work as an aide with an associate's degree, or you can get certification that lets you work in substance abuse. If you want to do psychological research or treat patients with mental or emotional disability, you'll need a master's or a doctorate in psychology--either research or clinical. Psychologists work in a wide variety of clinical and social settings, and many therapists prefer private practice. Regardless of the degree you seek, you'll need additional state or professional certification and an internship to launch your psychology career.
8. Database Administrator
The rapid expansion of computing technology has increased the demand for teams of computer specialists that can handle vast quantities of data. Managerial positions in the computing field require technical knowledge of computer programming and network maintenance. Analysts and other database professionals can become administrators by earning advanced degrees in information technology management.
Technology degrees prepare you for a career in information, whether your interests lean towards computing, engineering, design, healthcare, business, or telecommunications. Choose a fast-track certification or associate's degree in information technology, and you'll have a career-launching credential that will qualify you for a tech job in two years or less. If you want to be a designer, engineer, or manager, get a bachelor's degree in web development, system design, or communications technology. A bachelor's in e-business opens management doors, but an MBA in technology or information can take you farther. Want to invent the systems that others use? Stay on for your doctorate in information technology. In technology careers, the growth potential is limitless.
9. Financial Advising Manager
In 2004, the mean salary for a financial manager was over $100,000, significantly greater than that of a basic financial analyst. The majority of financial advising managers earn an MBA in finance in order to make the transition from analyst to manager. Professionals who seek promotion but are unable to attend school full time have the option of studying for a finance degree online.
Working with other people's money is a challenging job, but a degree in finance can prepare prospective workers in this field with the necessary training. Students of finance take classes in banking, investment, and international finance. While coursework in this field can be rigorous, degree-holders often find that their hard work pays off in the form of numerous job opportunities and generous salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the field of finance will grow between 18 and 23 percent between now and 2014, making employment prospects bright for those in this field.
10. Education Administrator
Educators looking to move into higher-paying administrative positions need additional certification to make the jump. A master's degree in education administration is one route to a job as a school principal, assistant principal, or athletic director. Professionals with degrees in education administration can also work in higher education as academic officers or deans.
Looking back at each of these career paths, the lesson is clear. In addition to experience, your best bet for landing your boss's job is higher education and career training. By setting yourself apart with an advanced degree, you can become the boss.
The Education field spans kindergarten to university-level schooling; teaching to administration; and special needs to English as a Second Language students. Qualifications for teaching and administration positions vary widely, but the basic requirement is a bachelor's degree. Education positions include: elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, school administrators, college professors, higher education administrators, and education researchers and policymakers. Teachers up to the secondary school level must have a bachelor's degree, complete a teacher training program, and pass a licensing exam. College professors must hold a Ph.D. in their field of instruction. Secondary school administrators typically have a master's degree in Education Administration or Educational Leadership (M.Ed.). A Ph.D. or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is required for higher education administrators
