9781422270646

CAREERS IN BEAUTY AND FASHION CAREERS IN BUSINESS CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION CAREERS IN ENGINEERING CAREERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT CAREERS IN NURSING CAREERS IN SAFETY AND SECURITY CAREERS IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE WEB CAREERS IN SPORTS CAREERS IN THERAPY AND REHABILITATION

BY ANDREW MORKES

PO Box 221876, Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) • www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2024 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-4751-8 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4222-4755-6 ebook ISBN: 978-1-4222-7064-6 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Project Manager: Andrew Morkes Cover and Interior Design: Tara Raymo • CreativelyTara Layout: Priceless Digital Media, LLC Publisher’s Note: Websites listed in this book were active at the time of publication. The publisher is not responsible for websites that have changed their address or discontinued operation since the date of publication. The publisher reviews and updates the websites each time the book is reprinted.

You may gain access to certain third-party content (“Third-Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any information, products, or services on such Third-Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise established by the owners of the Third-Party Sites. Our linking to such Third-Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third-Party Sites or the information, products, or services offered on or through the Third-Party Sites, nor does it imply an endorsement or sponsorship of this publication by the owners of such Third-Party Sites.

CONTENTS

Introduction................................................................... 7 Chapter 1: Is a Business Career for You?...........................11 Chapter 2: Business Career Paths....................................17 Chapter 3: Charting Your Path in Business.......................39 Chapter 4: Exploring Education and Careers in Business........................................61 Chapter 5: Learning More About Business and Career Choices........................................81 Index............................................................................92 Photo Credits................................................................94 Educational Video Links.................................................95 Author’s Biography .......................................................96 Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more! Series Glossary of Key Terms: The Key Terms glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

Many people break into the business world by first working as retail clerks while they’re still in school. 6

Introduction

Students are often interested in learning more about careers, but many don’t take the steps necessary to do so, according to a survey of 14- to 18-year-olds by the nonprofit ECMC Group. It found that while 74 percent of respondents believe it is important to have their career plans determined when they graduate from high school, only 39 percent have taken classes or participated in programs to explore occupations. Many young people are not aware of the wide range of activities that are available to help them explore the field they’re considering, discover career paths, and learn what it takes to train and be successful in a given occupation. If you are a middle school or high school student, here are just a few of the exploration activities in which you can participate: • business, accounting, finance, and other competitions • school clubs • interviews and job-shadowing experiences with business professionals • summer exploration camps • volunteer opportunities • tours of companies, retail stores, manufacturing plants, and other places where business professionals do their work • books • websites • podcasts • videos • mentorship programs • resources from professional associations, companies, and government agencies

7

The Getting Started series provides everything that you need to know about exploring careers while you’re in middle and high school. It also includes a wealth of information about dozens of occupations in each title, educational requirements, paying for school, and many other resources. If you’re looking for some great—and fun—ideas on how to learn more about a specific occupational field, you should check out this series. After trying out some of the suggested activities and learning more about business occupations, you may be inspired to become an accountant, financial analyst, or chief executive; start your own business; or enter one of dozens of other careers in this field. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s begin exploring education and careers in business.

8

Getting Started: Careers in Business

Business meetings can be conducted anywhere, from a boardroom to a table at a local coffee shop to your living room.

9

Introduction

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

apprenticeship: a formal training program that combines supervised practical experience and classroom instruction doctorate: an educational credential that is awarded to an individual who completes two or three additional years of education after earning a master’s degree; it is also known as a doctoral degree (PhD) multinational companies: businesses that operate in more than one country profit: any money that is earned after expenses are paid (e.g., salaries for employees, shipping, manufacturing, operational expenses, taxes)

10

1 Chapter

Is a Business Career for You?

What’s So Great About Business Careers?

Business professionals make the world work. They start and run small businesses that sometimes grow into well-known, multinational companies . They prepare and examine financial records (accountants) and help companies make decisions about spending money to attain profit (financial analysts and consultants). They supervise employees, oversee manufacturing and logistics departments, assist customers, and perform a wide range of duties that help businesses develop and produce products and services, and market and deliver to them customers. And these are just a few of the many job duties performed by business professionals. Business careers are available for people with high school diplomas all the way through doctorates . You can even train for some positions via an apprenticeship or through the military. These training methods—unlike college—are free, and you will earn a salary while you learn.

11

A wide range of work environments are available in business. Many jobs exist in business offices and manufacturing plants. But there are also jobs in retail stores and in other settings. Business professionals work in a variety of sectors, such as health care, consumer goods, entertainment, fashion, computer products and services, banking, and sports. Their skills are often transferable. This means that an accountant in the sports sector (such as one who works for a Major League Baseball team) can transition to work in the entertainment industry (e.g., television, film, music), or in the

Sales managers earn salaries that range from $61,090 to $173,010 or more, according to the US Department of Labor. Those who work at automobile dealerships earn average salaries of $135,140. 12 Getting Started: Careers in Business

banking sector, without a large change in job duties. If employment in one industry is weak, they can seek opportunities in a faster growing sector. Earnings for many business professionals are higher than those paid to workers in other fields. For example, workers in business and financial professions earn a median annual wage of $76,570, according to the US Department of Labor (DOL). This is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760. Workers in some professions earn much higher salaries, including advertising, promotions, and marketing managers, $133,380; financial managers, $131,710; sales managers, $127,490; financial analysts, $95,570; project management specialists, $94,500; and management analysts, $93,000. Top executives earn millions of dollars a year. On the other hand, workers in some professions earn salaries that are lower than the median annual wage for all workers. These include receptionists, $29,950; customer service representatives, $36,920; general office clerks, $37,030; and secretaries and administrative assistants, $39,680. Many people enter the field in these careers and obtain additional education to become eligible for higher-level positions. Employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, according to the DOL. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations, but the following careers will enjoy stronger growth: • advertising, promotions, and marketing managers: faster than the average • financial analysts: faster than the average • financial managers: much faster than the average • human resources specialists: much faster than the average • logisticians: much faster than the average

• management consultants: much faster than the average • training and development specialists: faster than the average

13

Is a Business Career for You?

What Type of People Are Interested in Business Careers? People with many different interests can find business careers that suit them. But if you’re unsure about your interest in the field, answer the following statements to determine if a business career is the best fit for you: • My favorite classes are business, accounting, and mathematics. • I like to conduct research and gather data. • I like being a leader. • I consider myself a good problem solver. • I am interested in how products and services are marketed and advertised. • I like to think of new ways to do things. • I have strong oral and written communication skills. • I enjoy inventing things. • I think I’d like to start a business someday. A career in business is a good option for those who have strong communication skills.

14

Getting Started: Careers in Business

If many of these statements describe you, then you should consider a career in the field. But don’t be deterred if you didn’t answer yes to most of these statements. So many additional business occupations exist that you are likely to find a great career that will match your skills and interests. In fact, this book provides information on more than 40 business careers! What’s Inside This Book In this book, you’ll receive answers to the following questions, and more: • What are some great careers in the field? • What are some key business terms that I should know? • What are some easy and more challenging ways to explore education and careers in the field? • What are some important professional associations in the field, and what types of resources do they provide to students and to those just starting out in their career searches? • What business-related books and websites should I check out? • How do I train for a business career? • How do I pay for my education, and what free training options are available? • How do I land my first job in the field? Does a career in business sound like a good fit for your interests and abilities? If so, read on to learn everything you need to know about exploring and preparing for the field.

15

Is a Business Career for You?

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

engineering: the use of science and engineering principles to design, build, test, troubleshoot, and repair products, systems, structures, and infrastructure (e.g., highways, dams) fleet management: the monitoring of trucks and other commercial vehicles in order to increase productivity and help a business or other organization operate smoothly; areas of focus include maintenance and performance investor: a person or organization that offers to contribute money toward a new or existing company, project, or other entity to help it get started or stay in business; this money is often given in exchange for an ownership stake in the entity nonprofit: a group that uses any profits it generates to advance its stated goals (e.g., protecting the environment, helping the homeless); it is not a corporation or other for-profit business; also known as a nonprofit organization statistician: a mathematics professional who collects and analyzes data and applies computational techniques to solve problems

16