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Careers

Related Skills

  • Leadership
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Numerical computation
  • Sound decision-making
  • Oral & written communication
  • Organizingactivities
  • Computer literacy
  • Planningactivities
  • Flexibility
  • Team player
  • Coordinating activities
  • Directing activities and staff
  • Cross-culturalskills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Analyze and interpret data

Related Fields

Public Accounting

Human Resource Management

  • Recruiting/Staffing
  • Compensation
  • Benefits
  • Training
  • Safety
  • Employee Relations
  • Industrial Relations
  • Equal Employment Opportunity

Employers

  • Large corporate entities
  • Service industry
  • Hospitals and healthcare organizations
  • Universities
  • Temporary or staffing agencies
  • Executive search firms
  • Local, state and federal government
  • Labor unions

Strategies

  • Take courses in the social sciences such as psychology and sociology
  • Gain relevant experience through internships. Develop strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Learn to solve problems creatively
  • Develop strong computer skills because many human resource systems are automated
  • Join the Society of Human Resource Management andother related professional associations
  • Be prepared for continuous learning once in the profession
  • Earn a master’s degree for career advancement

Management

Employers

  • Business and industry including: Banks and financial institutions, Retail stores, Restaurants, Hotels, Service providers, Healthcare organizations
  • Local, state and federal government
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Self-employed

Strategies

Be prepared to start in entry-level management trainee positions. Gain experience through internships or jobs. Work at a retail store or restaurant, and advance into an assistant manager position. Get involved in student organizations and assume leadership roles. Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong work ethic, integrity, and a sense of independence. Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities. Learn to work well on a team.

Insurance

  • Claims
  • Underwriting
  • Risk Management
  • Sales
  • Loss Control

Employers

  • Insurance firms
  • Banks

Strategies

  • Complete an internship with an insurance agency
  • Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management
  • Many good, entry-level positions exist in these areas
  • Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker
  • Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely

Real Estate

  • Residential Brokerage
  • Commercial Sales
  • Appraisals
  • Property Management

Employers

  • Real estate brokers
  • Banks
  • Appraisal firms
  • Apartment and condominium complexes
  • Developers

Strategies

  • Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, orinternship positions
  • Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors
  • Develop an entrepreneurial spirit
  • Research apprenticeships in appraisal

Operations Management

  • Operations Research Analysis: Business strategy, Facilities layout, Inventory control, Personnel scheduling
  • Production Management: Line supervision, Manufacturing management, Production planning, Quality assurance
  • Materials Management: Purchasing/buying, Traffic management, Inventory management

Employers

  • Manufacturers
  • Industrial organizations
  • Service organizations

Strategies

  • Develop strong analytical skills and a logical approach to problem solving
  • Take additional courses in statistics and computer systems
  • This is a more technical side of business
  • Learn to manage multiple situations and problems
  • Be able to communicate with different types of people in various functional areas
  • Earn an MBA to reach the highest levels of operations management

Sales

  • Industrial Sales
  • Consumer Product Sales
  • Financial Services Sales
  • Services Sales
  • Advertising Sales

Employers

  • Profit and nonprofit organizations
  • Product and service organizations
  • Manufacturers
  • Financial companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Print and electronic media

Strategies

  • Obtain experience through internships or sales jobs
  • Must be highly motivated and well organized. Proven leadership abilities are desirable
  • Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction

Banking

  • Commercial Banking
  • Retail/Consumer Banking
  • Credit Analysis
  • Lending
  • Trust Services
  • Mortgage Loans
  • Branch Management
  • Operations

Employers

  • Banks
  • Credit unions
  • Savings and loan associations
  • Financial services institutions
  • Federal Reserve banks

Strategies

  • Develop a solid background in business including marketing and accounting
  • Get experience through part-time, summer, orinternship positions in a bank
  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele

Career Industry Liaison

Name Office Email Phone
Kristy DeWall  223 Bone Student Center  ksdewal@ilstu.edu  (309) 438-2200 

Internship Coordinator

Name Office Email Phone
Victor Devinatz  SFHB 422  vgdevin@ilstu.edu  (309) 438-3403