THE STUDENT AS MANAGER

The collegiate experience is a complex process that requires excellent management if it is to result in a successful outcome. You may not think of yourself as being a manager or as currently developing management skills, but both are true if you are making good progress toward completing the collegiate experience. These are the exact same management skills that are in great demand in the marketplace. But because the demand is for "excellent" management skills, those without a track record of successful application of these skills do not fare well in the marketplace. Make a commitment to yourself to continuously improve your management skills.

Management consists of planning and control. Planning precedes and drives all activity. A good plan has the following characteristics (the five "C"s of good planning):

1. Clarity of vision of the future
2. Continuity of goals through time
3. Consistency with the resources available
4. Concise enough to remember
5. Capable management

Control must follow all activity. Thus, the management cycle is PLANNING-ACTIVITY-CONTROL. Good control has the following characteristics (the five "C"s of control):

1. Constant review of the process
2. Cause and effect relationships sought out
3. Corrective action taken when necessary
4. Capitalize on what is done well
5. Concern for the people involved in the process

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Management begins with setting goals. Goals represent the thread that ties together the various stages of one's life. Setting goals gives one a sense of purpose and helps one get things done. Accomplishing goals generates a track record of success and a boost to one's self-esteem. In addition to accepting the Curriculum Goals set forth by the College of Business Administration, you need to set professional development goals in the following areas:

l. Leadership

a. Committed to excellence
b. Ability to take charge quickly
c. Ability to inspire and motivate others
d. Ability to make decisions under conditions of risk
e. Willingness to accept responsibility

2. Communication Skills

a. Presentation skills
b. Written communication skills
c. Listening skills
d. Good body language

3. "People" Skills

a. The willingness to be a team player
b. A positive attitude toward others
c. The ability to address conflict directly and tactfully
d. The ability to present a clear position and press for a decision
e. The ability to provide technical information to subordinates, peers, and superiors

4. Critical Thinking Skills

a. Interpret data
b. Use technical information in making decisions
c. Function effectively in the context of conflicting information
d. Distinguish between what is important and what is not
e. Determine cause and effect relationships

5. Other personal characteristics and capabilities

a. Reliable
b. Common sense
c. A strong ethical stance
d. Self confidence commensurate with capabilities
e. Ability to formulate a plan to attain an objective and to follow through with the plan
f. Excellent time management skills
g. Efficient
h. Flexible, e.g., willingness to revise plans when necessary
i. Ability to prioritize
j. Ability to work under stress
k. Ability to adapt to change

Take time to evaluate your career objectives and consider the causal relationship existing between professional development in the above areas and attainment of those career objectives. Professional development is not a university graduation requirement. The extent to which it occurs depends on how well you manage the process.

EXAMPLES OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Class teams
• Projects
• Presentations
• Participation in class discussions
• Working with professors on research projects
• Leadership in professional student organizations such as Beta Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Pi, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), American Marketing Association (AMA), and Financial Management Association International.
• Other organizations, e.g., Toastmasters (Dr. Ken Winter will pay your dues.)
• Part-time employment
• The Racquet
• Student Government
• The Involvement Center

Volunteer activities, e.g. Vanguards, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), Red Cross