In my last thread (Computer Engineering) no_really suggested that I might be more interested in the Marketing or Management of the hardware in computers...

If I got a degree in management (What is the formal name for it?) I assume I would have to make sure that I get a job with a computer company in order to manage computer related things.. correct???

What exact kind of job would I be getting if I went for a management degree??

If you didnt read my last thread, Im interested in the advancement of computer hardware.. I dont want to do the math of engineering though..

Thanks!
-Dustin

 

Business Management?

Program Manager

 

Nearly every company uses computers. If you want to manage computers, you will likely be back into I.T. (management, if you wanna call it that). And, like I said in the other thread, I.T. involves lots of networking!

There isn't really a way around that. Companies all use computers. Computers are all hooked up to networks. Those networks get hooked up to the Internet.

The major that might interest you is CIS (Computer Information Systems), which is under the school of Business. Some colleges offer something similar called MIS (Management Information Systems). It's the same thing, essentially. It is very light on computers, but does include those classes as core requirements and *could* lead you to a career as a CIO or CTO (eventually).

Personally I think Business/Management is kind of a lame major. No one really starts working in management without getting an MBA and/or attending an Ivy League school and/or a bit of nepotism.

You can pretty much get any job doing anything with whatever degree you get. So, if you're already half-way through college, just get the degree that you already started to get so you can get the hell out of there.

 

Business Systems Analysis and Technology (BSAT) is another name for this.

 

yes, while most people don't stat out as managers, most people don't start out using their major, whatever it is.

If your school doesn't offer an MIS degree, major in business management, and take a few computer and technical courses, the ones for non-majors. Try and get internships with technical firms, but the actual industry is really not all that important at the start of your career. You won't start as a manager anywhere, but a technical background will help you get a spot on a QA team, for example. You probably want at least an entry level programming class, and a technical writing class wouldn't hurt. The goal is to have enough of a technical background to be useful to a company without having to pursue an engineering degree.

You can join industry groups and get exposure to the different career tracks open to you in technical fields. These are the people who can really help you learn what classes you should be taking. Your local business library should be able to help you find these organizations. The Association for Computing Machinery has numerous associated groups, and many colleges have at least one chapter. Siggraph.org is one such group, and has events in most major cities at least yearly. These people would be ideal if you wish to work with cutting edge graphics processing, on either side of the keyboard.

 

I work at a very large aerospace firm specializing in electrical and mechanical flight systems, engine control, fly by wire, etc. Basically very 'computer related.' I do not know a single manager of anything, from program managers to financial managers, and what have you, that didn't start with a technical background and work his way up (i.e. he was an engineer and obtained business, management, financial skills along the way). In order to effectively manage those involved with technology, you must be very knowledgeable yourself.

 

I work at IBM and all the top guns started off as engineers, analysts, consultants, team leads, product engineers than management, over a 10 to 20 year process

 

MIS (Management Information Systems)

I went down that route and only had to participate in a few programming classes but mostly it was a Business Management tract.

Everyone here so far stated some pretty good advice.

Remember to get linkedin - www.linkedIn.com

 

At my college there are three different computer programs offered:

Computer Science - your basic computer science degree. Lots of programming, O/S, networking classes with a LOT of math. Math is your minor.

Computer Science with software systems emphasis - same computer classes as Computer Science program, but very minimal math. You can choose your minor.

Business Information Systems - basic computer classes like word, some MS stuff like Active Directory, some Networking, just basic stuff, doesn't get into anything advanced. I think you can still pick a minor.

Here's what I'm doing right now. I'm working on Computer Science with software systems emphasis and I chose management as my minor. The management minor requires social responsibility class, management classes (human resources management, quality management, etc), some marketing, some finance and entrepreneurship. Eventually I'd like to become the CIO of some large corporation. After I'm done with college, I'm planning on getting a consulting job for a few years, then going back to school for an MBA, then getting some mid-level management position, and just climbing the corporate ladder from thereon. Hope this helps.