If you are considering a business career, but have no more detailed an idea of what you want to do, then there is much to consider and countless possibilities. The word "business" covers so many diverse activities; any employment activity in which money transactions take place is almost certainly a business, or relates to a business. Medical transactions, for example, can be business to the supplier even if not to the end user, a doctor; if a private doctor, then it is business to the doctor too. Growing food is a business, transport is a business, most sport is a business, and music is often a business. The list could go on and on. If you look at every man made item within your sight, the chances are it is the product of a business, and financial transactions have taken place along the way. Business is reflected all around you.
However, deciding on what type of business it is that you want to have a career in is only one of the main parts of your decision. Another is, what aspect of that business do you want to specialise in? Do you want to be a finance specialist, or marketing, or computing? Or some other job within a business?
Nowadays, a third major decision can easily come to mind. That is, do you want a home business career or to have a separate workplace? Often related to that decision is whether or not you want to be freelance or self employed, rather than an employee?
In this article we will just offer some headings under which you need to start considering your career. But before you even go that far, it is probably worthwhile considering your career objectives and personal objectives. Also, the better you know and understand your own motivation for wanting a business career, the more likely you are to take the best direction for your future.
Deciding on What Aspect of Business to Specialize in For Your Career
Deciding on what aspects of business you want to specialize in is perhaps the best place to start. Each of the main departments of a business will be considered in more detail in separate articles. It is also important to consider your long term goal. If you want to be a business owner or chief executive, then to be effective you will need to understand all the key aspects of running a business, and how they inter-relate. For now, the broad "departments" you will find across all businesses are:
Finance
A business will have financial transactions, therefore a finance function will be essential simply for financial accounting purposes. However, to be an efficient and forward looking business, timely management information will be important too. Financial staff, if they are good, will need to relate easily to other departments within the business and understand their perspectives too. A spell in finance can be an excellent grounding for business management, whether for your own or someone else's business.
From my own experience, studying for professional management accountant status in England many years ago was what helped me to understand business much better than I would otherwise have done. With so many examinations to pass to qualify, in diverse subjects such as company and business law, computing, financial and management accounting, marketing and corporate planning, organisation and production, it provided an excellent grounding indeed.
Marketing
Alongside finance, marketing is a part of business that can inspire and produce business leaders, chief executives and successful business owners. Gaining experience in marketing is not only very interesting for those who are creative, it can become a very powerful asset in a business career. If you can get experience and finance, then you are well placed for a successful business career.
Other Business Departments
Other departments of a business to consider are purchasing, human resources (personnel department), and computing. Depending on the type of business, there may also be research, production and other departments.
Deciding on What Type of Business to Specialize in For Your Career
If your ambition is to become a business manager or owner, then the skills you acquire in the key areas of business will be applicable to any type of business. Marketing, finance and computing figure in every modern business. So, to an extent, it does not matter what the type of business is that you start in as a stepping stone to business management.
There are far too many types of business to consider listing here, and what you decide on will depend on what is available at the time, your personality, likes and dislikes, and long term prospects and salary. However, to be successful it is important to enjoy what you are doing, so choosing a type of business that you feel comfortable with is more likely to serve your career prospects well, than a business where you feel totally out of place.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Transport Logistics Jobs
Logistics refers to the procedures for managing the physical resources of a business, including how these materials are acquired, stored, and transported, both within the physical confines of the business and prior to and after leaving the business premises. Making these supply chain procedures efficient and cost effective can translate directly to an organization's bottom line.
If you're interested in starting a career in the logistics field, at the minimum you should really plan on obtaining a degree in a related field like transport or supply chain management. Even better yet, consider getting your masters in either of those fields or logistics itself. A successful candidate also needs the ability to analyze large quantities of diverse data and an insight into all facets of business including transportation.
What are some of the specific positions available in the logistics field? Well, new opportunities are opening up all the time, but some of the more popular current job possibilities include:
Logistics Manager: Must posess geographical, analytical and math aptitude, and be able to make quick decisions on a daily basis. Customer service, management, and people skills are required. The position frequently involves the necessity of working under short timelines and strict deadlines. As in all logistics positions, a familiarity with today's technology, such as e-mail, computer software and Internet usage are required.
Logistics Analyst: this position requires analyzing all facets of the logistical procedures in place with an eye towards possible improvements in efficiency and/or reduction of cost. The ability to write clearly and comprehensively and the knack for interfacing with all departments of the organization are requirements for this position.
Supply Chain Manager: will manage the organization's entire supply chain from beginning to end. Requires expertise in employee supervision, customer service, purchasing, and all facets of warehousing.
The term logistics is thought to have come from the ancient Greeks and Romans, who assigned certain members of their armies to make sure that supplies and arms were transported to the locations where they were needed by the military. These officers were supposedly called 'Logistikas'. Today's military still has need for logistics officers, so if you're inclined towards a military career, you'll find plenty of opportunity there.
Once you get some experience under your belt, you might be interested in becoming a logistics consultant. These individuals are engaged on a contract basis by companies who are considering implementing a logistics program or improving their current logistics situation. A consultant might be employed by one of the third party logistics providers (3PLs) or he could be in business for himself, which will appeal to those of you with an entrepreneurial bent.
These are just a few of the job titles available in the logistics field these days. There are many more, and today's technology means that positions that haven't even been thought of right now could be commonplace in a few years.
If you're interested in starting a career in the logistics field, at the minimum you should really plan on obtaining a degree in a related field like transport or supply chain management. Even better yet, consider getting your masters in either of those fields or logistics itself. A successful candidate also needs the ability to analyze large quantities of diverse data and an insight into all facets of business including transportation.
What are some of the specific positions available in the logistics field? Well, new opportunities are opening up all the time, but some of the more popular current job possibilities include:
Logistics Manager: Must posess geographical, analytical and math aptitude, and be able to make quick decisions on a daily basis. Customer service, management, and people skills are required. The position frequently involves the necessity of working under short timelines and strict deadlines. As in all logistics positions, a familiarity with today's technology, such as e-mail, computer software and Internet usage are required.
Logistics Analyst: this position requires analyzing all facets of the logistical procedures in place with an eye towards possible improvements in efficiency and/or reduction of cost. The ability to write clearly and comprehensively and the knack for interfacing with all departments of the organization are requirements for this position.
Supply Chain Manager: will manage the organization's entire supply chain from beginning to end. Requires expertise in employee supervision, customer service, purchasing, and all facets of warehousing.
The term logistics is thought to have come from the ancient Greeks and Romans, who assigned certain members of their armies to make sure that supplies and arms were transported to the locations where they were needed by the military. These officers were supposedly called 'Logistikas'. Today's military still has need for logistics officers, so if you're inclined towards a military career, you'll find plenty of opportunity there.
Once you get some experience under your belt, you might be interested in becoming a logistics consultant. These individuals are engaged on a contract basis by companies who are considering implementing a logistics program or improving their current logistics situation. A consultant might be employed by one of the third party logistics providers (3PLs) or he could be in business for himself, which will appeal to those of you with an entrepreneurial bent.
These are just a few of the job titles available in the logistics field these days. There are many more, and today's technology means that positions that haven't even been thought of right now could be commonplace in a few years.
Transportation Careers
There are literally hundreds of different transportation careers out there for those who are interested in travel. Some will take you to exotic and unique locations; others will take you to the back ends of grocery stories. But all are in a field that is growing and dynamic, and increasingly technological.
One of the great things about transportation careers is that transportation is a field that allows you to work and educate yourself to the top. You can start with a low-end job and with experience and either on-the-job or formal education, end with a top-level job in the career field of your choice. It all depends on what you're after.
Airlines
When thinking about transportation careers, most people immediately think of airline jobs. The perks when you work for an airline are undeniably sweet, with most companies providing free air transportation to worldwide locations for their off-duty employees and sometimes their families. The jobs, though, are harder than they look. Outside of commuter flights, shifts are irregular and hours are often very long, with lots of overnight work. When you work with an airline, you generally have to shape your life to your career.
While wages have been pretty good up to now, the airlines are starting to suffer, and it's likely that those with the best wages and benefits are either going to go under or have to drop those high salaries. It's still a great business, but you can expect a great deal of fluctuation in the near future as airlines adjust to a changing economy and soaring fuel costs.
Trains
Either city light rail or Amway commuter trains, or nationwide freight train services: you'll find a host of careers with train transportation. If you work in commuter trains, you'll likely be an engineer or a conductor/ticket taker. With freight, however, there are dozens of careers, from engineer to loader to mechanic to shipping manager, and you'll find plenty of room for all kinds of positions and advancement.
Trains are likely to see a spike in use in the near future; diesel trains are much more efficient at moving goods than trucks, even though they end up in less convenient destinations, and with more freight moving, high gas prices are going to drive shippers to using trains. When usage in an industry goes up, so do the wages. While fuel prices are high, expect better wages and opportunities in this transportation field.
Shipping By Land
Trucks move most of the goods we purchase in stores, and the industry is a huge factor in transportation today. However, with the rapid increase in fuel costs, there have been some problems in this field. A lot of truckers are very unhappy right now because they have to purchase the diesel that goes into their vehicles themselves, and prices have doubled over the last couple of years for a full tank, severely impacting their profits.
This field is growing, according the the U.S. Department of Labor - but the statistics they use are based on yesterday, not today and tomorrow. Right now, if fuel prices stay at the same level there may be a major correction in the market very soon.
Shipping By Sea
Most of the ocean-shipping jobs staffed by Americans are dock work positions, but the United States Merchant Marine also have thousands of seamen operating boats in navigable waters, from the coasts to the Great Lakes to the larger rivers of America. This is a job that requires long stays away from home, and if you operate internationally it may entail some danger as well; pirates are a real and growing threat in modern oceans.
The job outlook for these positions is particularly good, as it's getting harder to entice young sailors to sign onto these ships. In addition, international companies are seeking U.S. sailors to work on their ships as well as international shipping grows increasingly competitive. If you can handle hard work, sometimes months away from home, and have a real desire to travel and see the world, the Merchant Marine might be for you.
Government Positions
Not all transportation jobs entail working for specific companies or organizations. Today's travel challenges require strong government support, in areas as varied as air marshal and DOT officer. Working for the state or federal government gains you many of the perks of other transportation-oriented jobs, while giving you a job that has excellent benefits and guaranteed employment. It is harder to get a government job than to get a job in the private sector
One of the great things about transportation careers is that transportation is a field that allows you to work and educate yourself to the top. You can start with a low-end job and with experience and either on-the-job or formal education, end with a top-level job in the career field of your choice. It all depends on what you're after.
Airlines
When thinking about transportation careers, most people immediately think of airline jobs. The perks when you work for an airline are undeniably sweet, with most companies providing free air transportation to worldwide locations for their off-duty employees and sometimes their families. The jobs, though, are harder than they look. Outside of commuter flights, shifts are irregular and hours are often very long, with lots of overnight work. When you work with an airline, you generally have to shape your life to your career.
While wages have been pretty good up to now, the airlines are starting to suffer, and it's likely that those with the best wages and benefits are either going to go under or have to drop those high salaries. It's still a great business, but you can expect a great deal of fluctuation in the near future as airlines adjust to a changing economy and soaring fuel costs.
Trains
Either city light rail or Amway commuter trains, or nationwide freight train services: you'll find a host of careers with train transportation. If you work in commuter trains, you'll likely be an engineer or a conductor/ticket taker. With freight, however, there are dozens of careers, from engineer to loader to mechanic to shipping manager, and you'll find plenty of room for all kinds of positions and advancement.
Trains are likely to see a spike in use in the near future; diesel trains are much more efficient at moving goods than trucks, even though they end up in less convenient destinations, and with more freight moving, high gas prices are going to drive shippers to using trains. When usage in an industry goes up, so do the wages. While fuel prices are high, expect better wages and opportunities in this transportation field.
Shipping By Land
Trucks move most of the goods we purchase in stores, and the industry is a huge factor in transportation today. However, with the rapid increase in fuel costs, there have been some problems in this field. A lot of truckers are very unhappy right now because they have to purchase the diesel that goes into their vehicles themselves, and prices have doubled over the last couple of years for a full tank, severely impacting their profits.
This field is growing, according the the U.S. Department of Labor - but the statistics they use are based on yesterday, not today and tomorrow. Right now, if fuel prices stay at the same level there may be a major correction in the market very soon.
Shipping By Sea
Most of the ocean-shipping jobs staffed by Americans are dock work positions, but the United States Merchant Marine also have thousands of seamen operating boats in navigable waters, from the coasts to the Great Lakes to the larger rivers of America. This is a job that requires long stays away from home, and if you operate internationally it may entail some danger as well; pirates are a real and growing threat in modern oceans.
The job outlook for these positions is particularly good, as it's getting harder to entice young sailors to sign onto these ships. In addition, international companies are seeking U.S. sailors to work on their ships as well as international shipping grows increasingly competitive. If you can handle hard work, sometimes months away from home, and have a real desire to travel and see the world, the Merchant Marine might be for you.
Government Positions
Not all transportation jobs entail working for specific companies or organizations. Today's travel challenges require strong government support, in areas as varied as air marshal and DOT officer. Working for the state or federal government gains you many of the perks of other transportation-oriented jobs, while giving you a job that has excellent benefits and guaranteed employment. It is harder to get a government job than to get a job in the private sector
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