Management Careers

“As an Assistant Vice President and Financial Sales Manager for a Top 50 Financial Institution, I value the knowledge and skills I developed in the Management Major.  Having the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate amongst various individuals and organizations, and motivate others towards a common mission are imperative in today's business environment.  My employer values the leadership traits I embody - a well-rounded student translates to a well-rounded employee” (Adam Workman, Assistant Vice President, FirstCitizen’s Bank, Class of 2010).

Image of professional students clapping

Persona of Management Majors

Pamplin Management majors develop proficiency to independently scan, identify and articulate the root issues surrounding opportunities and problems, recommend multiple solutions or courses of action, then work with others to integrate planning all the way through to implementation or resolution.

Girls in graduation caps cheering at graduation

What do Management majors do after graduation?

A study of 550 Pamplin Management alumni from 6 graduating classes presents a significant truth: Management majors pursue diverse career options.  This same research found that over 375 companies avidly compete for and hire our students.

Image of professional young student shaking the hand of an employer

Why do companies target Management majors year after year via multiple Virginia Tech career fairs and campus interviewing sessions?

A study of 550 Pamplin Management alumni from 6 graduating classes presents a significant truth: Management majors pursue diverse career options.  This same research found that over 375 companies avidly compete for and hire our students.

Management Majors: "Special Forces" of the Business World!

Graduation cap that says let's get down to business

Name a business that runs without managers who can:

  • Translate strategies into goals
  • Diagnose opportunities for improvement
  • Recommend solutions to problems
  • Apply data analytics
  • Manage projects and processes
  • Lead and delegate successfully
  • Work effectively in teams
  • Encourage organizational diversity …

And create environments that foster ethical decision-making

Student studing in a student center with her laptop

What is a T-shaped person?

T-shaped people have two kinds of characteristics. The vertical stroke of the “T” represents the deep disciplinary skills and technical expertise that can be in a variety of fields that are all needed by organizations. The horizontal stroke of the “T” is the capacity to effectively engage people collaboratively across disciplines. T-shaped people understand how disciplinary knowledge and diverse skills can be brought together to tackle complex transdisciplinary problems. T-shaped people help leverage their capabilities and the capabilities of others.

Three students hugging each other at graduating

How can Management help you become more T-shaped?

A management major will sharpen your skills in leading and motivating others, making ethical decisions, leading change, resolving conflict, giving feedback, effective teamwork, managing projects helping you better leverage your disciplinary strengths.

Informational image of the four different concentration students can choose in the Management Major

 Freshman Year

  1. Identify personal interests, skills, and values to begin conceptualizing your career goals. Career Services offers.
  2. Research careers that are of interest to you at Career Services library and the University library
  3. Join major-related professional organizations on campus to start building your resume.
  4. Conduct information interviews with professionals you know (family, neighbors, parents of high school friends, etc.)
  5. Participate in fall and spring career fairs. This allows you to get acclimated to the environment of a career fair and to observe interactions between students and recruiters. Talk with companies, both those in which you might e interested as well as those that were previously unknown to you.

Summer following freshman year: Your best strategy is to obtain a job involved with elementary aspects of a career field in which you might have interest; these frequently involve administrative or clerical work.

 Sophomore Year

  1. Schedule MGT 3014 during spring
  2. Expand on and refine freshman year goals
  3. Participate in fall and spring career fairs. Talk with companies, both those in which you might be interested and those that were previously unknown to you.
  4. Focus on your top 2-3 career options for more advanced research, information interviews, job shadowing, and summer internships.
  5. Create a LinkedIn account with a well-developed professional profile.
  6. Attend mock interviews and University Career Services workshops.
  7. Network with faculty, career services staff, and community members that can help you in your future job search.

Summer following sophomore year: securing an internship of interest

 Junior Year

  1. Participate in fall and spring career fairs. It is ESSENTIAL to use this convenient means for obtaining one.
  2. Continue to revise and polish your LinkedIn account and resume.
  3. Take a leadership role within your professional student organizations.
  4. Become familiar with job descriptions, titles, salary ranges, and research your major and what skills you need to be marketable.
  5. Increase your networking.
  6. Schedule MGT 3014 if you haven't already.

Summer following junior year: an internship with your desired career field is expected

 Senior Year

  1. Last chance to derive benefit from MGT 3014!
  2. Last chance to benefit from fall and spring career fairs.
  3. Never cease networking, it is an expected behavior among all professionals.
  4. Continue leadership roles of professional student organizations.
  5. Continue research in greater depth regarding job descriptions, work setting, job titles, salary ranges and specific work-related skills desired by employers.
  6. Take advantage of local internships, short-term projects, volunteer and charitable experiences during the school year.