Management and Leadership Career Opportunities

Each organization, be it a school, hospital, or corporation, runs on a system of hierarchy that allocates tasks to keep things running smoothly. A career in management and leadership generally refers to the business world, where systematic corporate structures are needed to organize the hundreds, even thousands, of employees working for a given company.

If you enjoy leading teams, managing others, thinking strategically, and planning for a company's long-term success, a position in management and leadership is a good match. Most effective leaders have both industry experience and a bachelor's degree or master's degree in a related field. If you feel you need more education in order to pursue your management goals, the abundance of today's online degree programs make it possible to study without leaving your current job.

Paths within Management & Leadership

Specific job titles vary across industries, but generally the basic organizational structure is similar. There are multiple levels of management, each responsible for specific goals and tasks within the company.

• Executives: Executives are the highest level of management and must focus on big picture issues and long-term planning. These executives include the chief executive officer (CEO), the chief financial officer, and the chief operating officer, among others. In public companies and nonprofits, top executives report to a board of directors and are under extreme pressure to perform and accurately report earnings. Because of this high level of responsibility and the resulting stress, top executives are the highest paid group of professionals, with CEOs earning a median salary of $158,560 (not including bonuses) in 2008.
• Senior Managers: Between middle management and executives are senior managers, who generally oversee a given business area. Senior managers are responsible for fulfilling orders from executives and setting goals for their division. As a senior manager, a lot is expected of you, and you are able to make real changes in the company. Much of a senior manager's job involves making sure workers are being productive and doing their part to help projects run on time. In 2008, managers as a whole earned median annual salaries of f $100,310.
• Managers: Below senior managers are middle and lower management, who are responsible for carrying out the wishes of senior management and keeping their business areas running smoothly. Normally managers have employees that report to them, so managing others and keeping your group on task is a big part of the job.
• Team Leaders: Team leaders, also called supervisors, are responsible for project management, coordinating their team's efforts, reporting progress. Becoming a team leader is often a way to exhibit initiative and leadership skills, opening the door for future management positions.

Management & Leadership Roles Exist Throughout the Country

A career in business management and leadership is ideal for those who want to be geographically flexible. Companies exist in every state and every major city, all requiring experienced managers and leaders. Of course, your individual goals and areas of expertise may affect where you conduct your search:

• Top executives generally work at company headquarters, which tend to be in big cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles
• Depending on the industry, one city might offer more opportunities than another--for example, New York is considered the finance and publishing capital of the country, while those interested in entertainment head to Los Angeles
• If you're looking for a management and leadership role in a small town, explore local businesses and small companies

Management jobs are available across the country. However, education and career training are crucial, and online degree programs in business management are a great place to start.