Career Services

The careers that are discussed in this pamphlet were selected because of their interest to Business Administration students. They do not represent the total range of career opportunities, but they are the most prominent options available to those with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration.

This pamphlet also includes a list of "first" jobs which were obtained by SUNY Oswego Business Administration graduates as reported to the Office of Career Services.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES plan, coordinate, and direct advertising campaigns for clients of advertising agencies. They meet with clients to determine their needs and budget, using knowledge of the product or service to be advertised, media capablyities, and type of audience. They meet with agency artists, copywriters, photographers, and other specialists to select media and estimate costs. They submit proposed plan and estimated budget to the client for approval; and they coordinate activities of workers involved in media production, such as market researchers and copywriters in order to carry out approved plans.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS - The duties of Administrative-Assistants vary with their place of employment. In general, it is their duty to help make the business run smoothly. They plan, manage and supervise various operations of the company or department. They help to formulate policy and work with personnel and budget problems, and may be responsible for the collection of data & preparation of reports. In addition, they may review and answer mail and handle office services, such as maintenance, supply, mail and files.

BANK MANAGERS are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their branch. This includes supervising the staff, preparing daily reports for the main office, making certain adequate cash and office supplies are on hand, and taking care of the unusual customer problems and requests.

BROKERS, also known as STOCK BROKERS, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES, REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVES, and SECURITIES SALES AGENTS buy and sell stocks, bonds, and various other securities for individuals and corporations. When placing a buy or sell order for a customer, agents notify the floor of the exchange and then notify the customer of the completed transaction and of the final price. Other services provided for customers include financial counseling, explanation of the stock market, advice on the buying and selling of a security, and presentation of the latest stock and bond quotations. In addition, securities salespersons must keep accurate records of their transactions and try to obtain new customers.

BUYERS purchase items which will appeal to the public, can be sold at a profit and build up the number of satisfied customers for their employers. They study past and present sales records and inventories to determine the amount of merchandise needed. They study their market and watch economic conditions. They must know the quality of merchandise and business standards of the firms with whom they may deal. They determine the cost of the items they buy plus the cost of sales or marked-down items. They also work closely with advertising to plan sales campaigns and window & floor displays.

CREDIT ANALYSTS deal with commercial loans to business and industry. They do credit studies on business owners and industrial firms; they consider their credit-worthiness, ability to repay, and their standing in the industry to which they belong. They look at business methods and operations. To get facts, they talk with banks and other lenders who may have lent money to the loan applicant. They also read and analyze financial statements and compare past and current statements to learn whether the business is sound. If the loan is approved, they may assist with the preparation of the loan notes and other documents.

CREDIT MANAGERS have the final authority to accept or reject credit applications. In extending credit to businesses, the credit manager analyzes detailed financial reports, interviews a representative of the company, and reviews credit agency reports to determine the firm's record in paying debts. When extending credit to individuals, the credit manager relies on personal interviews, credit bureaus and banks. In large organizations, they may be responsible for establishing a credit policy. Some managers establish office procedure and supervise credit department workers.

EMPLOYMENT COUNSELORS help individuals make wise career decisions. They explore his or her education, training, work history, interests, skills, personal traits and physical capacities. They may arrange for aptitude and achievement tests; they sometimes suggest specific employers and certain ways of applying for jobs, & give advice on resume writing and interviewing. They may contact employers for their clients and follow up after placement to see if more help is needed.

FINANCIAL ANALYSTS work with data which affects investment programs of public, industrial and financial institutions. They check daily financial and stock reports and analyze and interpret data about all aspects of investment such as price, yield, stability, and short and long term trends. They make and use charts or graphs to interpret investment data, and keep informed about social and economic trends that affect the investment field. Sometimes they give testimony about economic conditions or proposed economic legislation.

FOREIGN-EXCHANGE TRADERS maintain bank balances on deposit in foreign banks to insure foreign exchange position, and determine prices at which such exchange shall be purchased and sold, based on demand, supply and stability of currency. They also examine and approve bills of exchange, issue letters of credit, and direct personnel engaged in foreign exchange

HUMAN RESOURCES, PERSONNEL or INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DIRECTORS develop policy and supervise the work of department managers. To carry on this work, they use their knowledge of company goals, federal and state laws, union contracts, and good personnel practices. They study legislation, arbitration, and union contracts to assess trends in industry. They consult a legal staff to make sure the company obeys federal and state laws.

INSURANCE UNDERWRITERS decide whether applications for insurance should be accepted or rejected. They base their decisions on an analysis of the information on the application, reports from loss control consultants, medical reports and actuarial studies. If an application is accepted, they may outline the terms of the contract, including the amount of the premium. Commercial underwriters deal exclusively with business insurance and must evaluate a firm's entire operation. Some underwriters deal exclusively with group contracts.

LOAN OFFICERS examine, evaluate, authorize, or may recommend approval of customer applications for credit, real estate, commercial, and various other loans. They analyze the financial status of the applicant to determine whether or not the loan should be granted. They correspond with or interview applicants and creditors to obtain more information, and complete loan agreements on those that are accepted. They may also handle foreclosure proceedings, develop prospects for loans, and buy and sell contracts, loans, or real estate.

MARKET RESEARCH ANALYSTS help companies to improve their products and increase sales potential. They collect, analyze and interpret data to determine the appeal of products or services, arrange sales & distribution policies, and study the effectiveness of company advertising. They choose representative samples of the population and design questionnaires or conduct interviews to find out who uses their product and why. They study present and experimental products, comparing these to competitive items, and make suggestions regarding packaging and product names.

MEDIA PLANNERS - The Media Department deals with planning a marketing strategy and buying air time and space in printed media for the agency's ads. While Media Planners are specialists, they are, in a way, "generalists" who oversee all of the media activities employed to satisfy a client's needs. Primary prerequisites for a media planner are a broad knowledge of all areas and a basic understanding of the marketing process. To this the planner must add a specific understanding of each client's marketplace position. As a consequence, the planner, along with the client and the agency's Product Group, plays a key role in setting the overall marketing and advertising strategies.

MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICERS or REAL ESTATE FINANCE OFFICERS deal with people who want to buy a house or with a builder constructing a housing project. Appraisers evaluate the sites and carefully examine the house or the building plans. When a firm or business is the borrower, loan officers also keep in mind the profit potential of the project.

PAYROLL CLERKS compute wages and post wage data to payroll records. Using a calculator, they compute earnings from the time sheets and work ticket. They operate a posting machine to compute and subtract deductions and enter net wages on the earning record card, check, check stub, and payroll sheet. Sometimes they prepare annual reports of earnings and income deductions, keep records of sick leave pay and non-taxable wages, and prepare and distribute the pay envelopes.

PERSONNEL ASSISTANTS help the personnel manager to fill company employment needs. They may inform employees of transfers, promotions, or layoffs and handle the related details. They organize and maintain confidential employment files of workers; and they determine necessary requirements for job openings. They also make up work schedules and help employees with problems. They write ads and inform employment agencies of job openings. They interview, give tests and carefully check out each applicant's background. They work with college, university and other personnel recruiters.

PERSONNEL CONSULTANTS act as go-betweens between job seekers and companies looking to fill vacancies. Personnel consultants interview candidates, give tests, and check references. They arrange interviews, and may give advice on resume preparation and interviewing techniques.

PERSONNEL MANAGERS head staff who recruit, interview, and choose applicants to fill jobs. They plan and conduct sessions to make new workers aware of company goals. Personnel staff keep records of absentees, promotions, transfers, layoffs, retirements, insurance payments, and pension plans. They look into accidents and write reports for insurance companies; do wage surveys to learn competitive wage rates; and suggest ways to cut down on absenteeism and employee turnover. In a plant whose workers belong to a union, personnel managers meet with shop stewards and supervisors to settle grievances, and sit in on collective bargaining sessions.

PERSONNEL RECRUITERS are members of the personnel department in firms. Their duties vary with the size and policies of the firms, and their basic task is to find pe to fill many kinds of positions. The main job of personnel recruiters is to find people for professional work: engineers, scientists, accountants, computer experts, and so on. Personnel recruiters seek out prospects, interview them, and invite the best ones to company headquarters for further interviews. To know the needs of their company, they study the makeup of the work force in their firm, talk to department heads to learn about present or future needs, and study job descriptions. The more recruiters know about the whole firm, the better they know what kinds of workers to look for. They find new workers in colleges, universities and technical schools. Some personnel recruiters work full time visiting schools to find prospects among seniors and graduate students.

PLACEMENT COUNSELORS, also known as EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANTS bridge the gap between job seekers and employers. They question persons to learn their work history, education, training, job skills, and the salary they expect. They record facts of interest to the employer such as the knowledge of the job seekers. They may test applicants for skills, intelligence, and mental health. Consultants may send unsure of their goals to a counseling service where they can get career guidance. After they record the applicant's qualifications, they search for job openings for that person. They may look through job orders in files or use a computer to match employee qualifications with employer requirements. When they find a likely match, they tell the job seeker about the job. They discuss duties, benefits, pay, hours, and working conditions. They explain company and union policies, sum up advancement prospects with the company, and pass on other facts to the job seeker. They arrange interviews and send interested applicants to the hiring person at the company.

SALES MANAGERS organize and monitor marketing and distribution strategies. Their work includes the supervision of sales staff and the development of sales programs designed to introduce prospective customers to new products and services. Sales managers are also responsible for reviewing market trends and evaluating sales. Sales management may include the selection and training of the sales staff and the development of a network of dealers who sell a product in the field.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES sell their company's products to other businesses and institutions. They must have a thorough knowledge of the products they sell, and understand the needs of the customers. Those who sell technical products, such as electronic equipment, must have to train customers to use and maintain their products as well as help with technical problems if they arise. These representatives may be known as sales engineers. All representatives promote their products by displays in hotels, and at conferences and meetings. They write reports and do other paperwork.

SECURITIES TRADERS trade securities and provide securities investment and counseling services for banks and their customers. They study financial background and future trends of stocks and bonds, and advise bank officials and customers regarding investments. They transmit buy-and-sell orders to brokers as directed, and recommend purchase, retention, or sale of issues. They notify customer or bank of execution of trading orders.

TAX ACCOUNTANTS prepare federal, state or local tax returns of individuals, business establishments or other organizations. They examine accounts and records, and compute tax returns according to prescribed rates, laws, and regulations. They advise management about effects of various transactions upon taxes, and recommend ways to reduce taxes. They may devise and install tax record systems.

TRUST ADMINISTRATORS manage and invest money, property, or other assets owned by a client. The pension plans of large corporations and other organizations often use trusts, as do individuals with large assets. Many estates are also managed in trust by the provisions of a will. Like the credit department, the trust department deals closely and extensively with clients. The training program is similar to that in other areas of banking, but, in general, advancement is slower and requires more experience.

TRAVEL AGENTS make travel arrangements based on the needs, budgets, and tastes of customers. Clients include individuals, families, or groups. Agents give information to customers and answer any questions they may have concerning transportation, hotels or destinations. When customers finally decide on arrangements, the travel agent books transportation and hotel or motel reservations. The agent also makes other special arrangements customers may request, such as car rentals, sight-seeing trips, or travelers checks. Some agents, mostly those who are self-employed, do promotional work.