General Manager Schools
Schools by State for
General Managers
Career Highlights for
General Managers
Training generally required for this career includes: Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience.
| Jobs and Salary | |
|---|---|
| Median Salary (2008) | $91,570 |
| Unemployment Vs. Other Jobs | Low |
| Jobs (2006) | 1,720,000 |
| Job Growth (2006-2016) | 1.5% |
| Jobs (2016 forecast) | 1,746,000 |
| Flexibility | |
|---|---|
| Working Part-Time | 3% |
| Self-Employed | 1% |
| Education of Current Workers | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree or Higher | 48% |
| Some College | 33% |
| High School or Less | 20% |
What Kind of Person Has This Career?
(Numbers are % of people choosing the item.)
| Important Natural Abilities | |
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| Oral Comprehension |  |
| Oral Expression | |
| Written Comprehension |  |
| Work Values | |
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| Relationships |  |
| Pleasant Working Conditions | |
| Independence | |
| Areas of Personal Interest | |
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| Starting And Leading Activities |  |
| Work Style Characteristics | |
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| Dependability | |
| Attention To Detail | |
| Leadership | |
Which Skills and Knowledge are Needed for this Job?
(Numbers are % of people choosing the item.)
| Important Personal Skills | |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | |
| Active Listening | |
| Speaking | |
| Important Professional Knowledge | |
|---|---|
| Administration And Management | |
| Personnel And Human Resources | |
| Customer And Personal Service | |
Which Activities and Situations Are Involved in Doing The Job?
(Numbers are % of people choosing the item.)
| Common Work Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Telephone | |
| Freedom To Make Decisions | |
| Structured Versus Unstructured Work | |
| Common Job Activities | |
|---|---|
| Getting Information | |
| Making Decisions And Solving Problems | |
| Scheduling Work And Activities | |
Tools and Technologies Used by Some
General Managers
- Accounting Software
- Calendar And Scheduling Software
- Charting Software
Information Sources
BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.
General Manager Job Description
Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.
Within any organization, executive staff members are responsible for leading its different areas so that established organizational goals are met. In businesses, non-profit organizations, institutions and government agencies, general managers oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations. Their responsibilities may include:
- Setting goals and creating or managing programs to reach them
- Managing directors and other lower-level executives
- Appointing department heads and planning organizational restructuring
- Authorizing budgets, large purchases, and use of materials and technology
- Handling complex human resources issues such as setting policy or hiring and firing
- Evaluating financial trends within the organization through detailed reports
- Creating detailed proposals to garner support from board and staff members
- Assessing competition, security and loss prevention
- Acquiring or selling different parts of a business, and establishing partnerships between companies
Some general managers occupy roles similar to chief executive officers. Substantial travel between offices and to attend conferences is common.
General Manager Degrees and General Manager Schools
Most general managers have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration or an area relevant to the kind of industry within which they work. In many cases however, their hiring is based more on their substantial work experience in management than the specific nature of their degree. Some roles do require a graduate degree, such as a master's degree in education administration for school superintendents, a doctoral degree in their field for college presidents, or a graduate-level degree in health services administration for health commissioners.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits business schools.
General Manager Classes
Students in business administration degree programs usually study:
- Management and business law
- Research and data analysis
- Economics, accounting and finance
- Mathematics and statistics
- Technology and operational procedures
- Human resources management
Many programs require participation in a coordinated internship program.
Online General Management Classes and Programs
Online business administration programs are a popular option for today's students. There are many to choose from, and they range widely in their offerings. Although they may be convenient, they may not offer the internship programs and job placement assistance that campus-based programs do. Some campus programs offer online classes as part of their curricula.
When comparing online programs, it is suggested that students check to see if the program has been accredited through direct-learning oversight organizations such as the Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
General Manager Requirements
A bachelor's degree (plus substantial relevant work experience) is considered the minimum requirement for most general managers. In some industries, a master's or doctorate degree is expected.
Obtaining an optional Certified Manager (CM) credential through the Institute for Certified Professional Managers can bolster employability for managers at any level.
How to Evaluate General Manager Schools
Prospective students who intend to go into general management should evaluate degree programs in business administration for:
- Ranking - Is the program ranked among other national or regional programs? Is the school ranked among other schools? Obviously a highly ranked school can be desirable but not necessarily the only or primary factor to consider.
- Accreditation - Has the school been accredited by the AACSB? If it is an online program, has it been accredited by the DETC?
- Location - Is the school located in a geographical region where the desired industry is well developed? For example, students interested in the financial industry may wish to choose a school based in New York City or Charlotte, NC - two major financial capitols.
- Course offerings - Does the program provide a balanced, comprehensive approach to the different areas of business administration? Does it deliver the necessary education for not just entry-level positions but executive-level management as well?
- Tuition, fees and amenities - How much assistance is offered to students considering financial aid such as student loans, scholarships, grants, and work/study? Do amenities such as career centers, libraries, recreational facilities, online resources and athletic teams add value as well as additional cost to tuition?
- Class size and demand - Is the program difficult to get into? Will academic progress be delayed because required introductory classes are full?
- Experiential learning - Does the school coordinate internships? Are the opportunities both plentiful and desirable?
- Graduate success - How many graduating students have successfully found work through the school's career services over the past several years?
Example Job Titles for
General Managers
(Titles per survey respondents and career experts.)
- Adjutant General
- Adult Daycare Coordinator
- Brokerage Office Manager
- Building Manager
- Business Administrator
- Business Coordinator
- Business Development Director
- Business Development Manager
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Chief Deputy
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Chief Operations Officer
- Corporate Administrator
- Corporate Manager
- Department Store Manager
- Director
- Director of Business Development
- Director of Operations
- Director of Publication
- District Commercial Superintendent
- District Manager
- District Plant Superintendent
- District Traffic Chief
- District Wire Chief
- Division Toll Wire Chief
- Division Traffic Superintendent
- Drilling and Production Superintendent
- Electrical Superintendent
- Entrepreneur
- Equipment Maintenance Superintendent
- Executive Administrator
- Facilities Manager
- Field Party Manager
- Fitness Manager
- General Manager (GM)
- General Superintendent
- Golf Course Manager
- Gym Manager
- Head of Store Operations
- Head of Visual Merchandising
- Industrial Organization Manager
- Installation Superintendent
- Laundry Superintendent
- Lease Operator
- Line Construction Superintendent
- Manager
- Manufacturing Operations Manager
- Mine Administrator Supervisor
- Mine Superintendent
- Newspaper Manager
- Non-Profit Director
- Nonprofit Director
- Nonprofit Manager
- Oil Lease Operator
- Oil Operator
- Oil Producer
- Operations Administrator
- Operations Manager
- Operations Supervisor
- Operations Vice President
- Park Superintendent
- Parks and Recreation Manager
- Plant Manager
- Plant Superintendent
- Plant Supervisor
- President
- Print Production Coordinator
- Print Production Manager
- Printing Manager
- Prison Warden
- Producer
- Public Works Director
- Radio Station Manager
- Refinery Superintendent
- Relocation Commissioner
- Revenue Director
- Revenue Manager
- Roads Superintendent
- Salon Manager
- Shelter Director
- Shift Superintendent
- Shop Superintendent
- Site Operations Manager
- Small Business Owner
- Social Insurance Administrator
- Solid Waste Manager
- Sports Team Manager
- Store Director
- Store Manager
- Store Owner
- Street Commissioner
- Street Superintendent
- Substation Superintendent
- Superintendent
- Television Station Manager
- Under Secretary
- Vice President
- Vice President of Operations
- Warehouse Manager
- Water and Sewer Systems Supervisor
- Water Control Supervisor
- Water Superintendent
- Waterworks Supervisor
- Zoo Director
Apply For a BrainTrack Business Scholarship
To help students currently pursuing a business or management degree, BrainTrack's Business Schools Scholarship offers a winning and second place award every semester. Applicant essays are designed to help others considering business and management career paths in general management, marketing, advertising, sales, accounting, finance, management analysis and consulting, and more. Eligible degrees include associate, bachelors, masters, or higher.
For recent winners and a selection of entries please visit BrainTrack's Business Student Stories section.
Relevant Schools for General Managers Which Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site
School names link to detailed profiles. Use the Info from the School link to contact the school directly for more information. You may request information from as many schools as you like.
Related Resources
- Management Degrees
- Finance Degrees
- MBA Degrees
- Business Analyst Certifications
- Risk Management Certifications
- Contract Management Certifications
- Human Resources Certifications
- Property Management Certifications
- Risk Management Certifications
- Six Sigma Certifications
- Project Management Certifications