5. General Management
What do general managers do?
General managers and top executives plan, organize, direct, control, and coordinate the operations of an organization and its major departments or programs. Although they have a wide range of titles such as chief executive officer, president, executive vice president, owner, partner--- all formulate policies and direct the operations of businesses and corporations. The nature of high level executives'''' responsibilities depends upon the size of the organization. In large organizations, their duties are highly specialized. In smaller organizations, such as independent retail stores or small manufacturers, a partner, owner, or general manager is often also responsible for purchasing, hiring, training, quality control, and day-to-day supervisory duties. 
What degree options are available in general managment?
Undergraduates can earn a bachelor¹s degree in management or take courses in management as part of a business degree. MBA students can choose a concentration in management, and some schools offer master¹s degrees and PhDs in general management. 
What¹s the difference between a Master of General Management and an MBA with a general management concentration? 
While both an MBA with a focus on management and a Master of General Management degree will prepare you to assume managerial positions within the business world, the MBA degree will provide you with more general skills that are transferable to other areas. The master''''s in management will provide you with greater management expertise, but will provide you with fewer transferable skills. The MBA degree''''s broad curriculum also helps managers integrate the different functions within a company. 
What will I study?
Students in MBA programs with a management concentration will most likely study everything from marketing, international economics, entrepreneurship, information systems, microeconomics, finance, in addition to managerial accounting, human resources management, leadership, statistics and management science.
What skills are necessary to work in the field of general management?
Managers with strong leadership qualities and the ability to improve the efficiency or competitive position of an organization are most successful. An analytical mind able to quickly assess large amounts of information and data is very important, as is the ability to consider and evaluate the interrelationships of numerous factors. General managers and top executives must also be able to communicate clearly and persuasively. Other qualities critical for managerial success include leadership, self-confidence, motivation, decisiveness, flexibility, sound business judgment, and determination. 
What is a typical career path for an General Management-MBA graduate? 
General managers often have experience in a particular field, such as accounting or engineering and are promoted to general management positions as their skills