Business Administration

 

Career and Major Information
Earnings
Related Occupations
Related Web Sites

 

Career and Major Information:

Walters State's two-year concentration in Business Administration is designed to prepare successful graduates for entry-level employment opportunities in the following settings: retail stores, service industry, banks and other financial institutions, non-profit organizations, government agencies, health care industry and manufacturing firms.  Varied duties may include the coordination and direction of support services such as secretarial and reception, administration, payroll, conference planning and travel, information and data processing, mail, materials scheduling and distribution, printing and reproduction, records management, telecommunications management, security, parking, and personal property procurement, supply, and disposal. Some workers in these positions develop departmental plans, set goals and deadlines, or implement procedures to improve productivity and customer service.  Front line managers may supervise staff and be involved in hiring and dismissal of employees.  Contract administrators may oversee the preparation, analysis, negotiation, and review of contracts related to the purchase or sale of equipment, materials, supplies, products, or services. In addition, some administrative services managers acquire, distribute, and store supplies, while others dispose of surplus property or oversee the disposal of unclaimed property.   Administrative services managers who work as facility managers plan, design, and manage buildings and grounds in addition to people. They are responsible for coordinating the physical workplace with the people and work of an organization.  Although the duties vary greatly, they generally fall into one of the following categories relating to operations and maintenance, real estate, project planning and management, communication, finance, quality assessment, facility function, technology integration, and management of human and environmental factors.

Jobs may be found in business, industry, education, and all levels of government.

The minimum educational requirement is generally a high school diploma with some pertinent experience, though larger companies will prefer a two-year degree or beyond.  Average growth is expected through 2012 though competition will remain tough and mid-level management positions are expected to decline.

 

Earnings:

The Tennessee Career Information Delivery System website lists the salary range for a beginning-level position in this field in Tennessee as $22,800 to $28,000 annually.  With experience, the range increases to $33,135 to $69,490.   The national average is higher by about $1,000 to $4,000 per year.  Salary figures quoted are based on national figures. Local or regional salaries may be lower.

 

Related Occupations:

Office Manager

Contract Administrator

Unclaimed Property Officer

Contract Administrator

Cost Estimator

Property Manager

Purchasing Manager

Buyer

Purchasing Agent

Top Executive

Financial Manager

 

Related Web Sites:

International Facility Management Association

            http://www.ifma.org

Institute of Certified Professional Managers

            http://cob.jmu.edu/icpm

 

Much of the above information was collected from the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor.  For additional information on these and many other careers, please visit the following web sites:

 

Occupational Outlook Handbook - U.S. Department of Labor

www.bls.gov/oco/

 

Tennessee Career Information Delivery System (TCIDS)

http://tcids.tbr.edu/.

 

 

For information regarding specific degree program requirements, curriculum, or faculty, please see the department website at http://www.ws.edu/businessdiv/default.asp.