How to Become a Manager (2024)

BUSINESS CAREER GUIDES

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OVERVIEW

What Is a Manager?

A manager is an individual who helps lead a company toward daily success. You will help a business take control of its future, equipping company employees with all the tools they need to thrive.

Sometimes, managers in the workplace are more commonly known by their department. For this reason, you could become a sales manager, operations manager, or customer service manager. No matter the title, every manager helps lead their employer toward success.

Managers often need both an undergraduate and a master’s degree. One of manycareers that depend on an MBA, the role of a manager sometimes requires applicants to obtain one or more business certifications.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Manager Do?

The responsibilities of a manager vary based on their department, the size of their company, and other factors.

The exact duties of a manager include:

  • Setting realistic goalsthat can be collectively achieved by a company’s employees.
  • Helping employees resolve conflicts.
  • Teaching employees any new policies or proceduresto be implemented.
  • Ensuring compliancewith any laws that might affect the business’s daily operations.
  • Hiring and firing employeesas necessaryto create a complementary workforce.
  • Establishing daily budgetsthat yield sufficient returns.
  • Creating and implementing business strategiesto guide a company toward success.
  • Delegating tasksto company employees.
  • Analyzing business datato better understand customer habits and opportunities for business improvement.
  • Creating employee schedules.

These and other responsibilities keep a manager busy each day as they help to guide a company toward achieving its goals.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

What Education Does a Manager Need?

Before you can begin your management career, you will need to meet a few educational requirements. First, you’ll need to obtain aBachelor’s Degree in Business Management, or a closely related field. This will teach you management fundamentals—including skills in marketing and strategic thinking.

After obtaining their undergraduate degree, many aspiring managers pursue aMaster’s in Business Administration (MBA)or aMaster's in Marketing. Many management positions will require candidates have these advanced degrees. These programs help fully prepare students for leadership roles in the workplace. You’ll learn operations management, ethical leadership, accounting, and other skills that make you a great business leader.

Best Degrees for a Manager

How to Become a Manager (1) Business

COMPARE

Business Management – B.S. Business Administration

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Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...

Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:

  • Time: 61%of graduates finish within 19 months
  • Tuition:$3,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses: 40 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:

  • Business communication
  • Product development
  • Decision making models
  • Project management strategies
  • Budgeting for business

This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.

How to Become a Manager (2) Business

COMPARE

Master of Business Administration

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The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...

The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:

  • Time:Graduates can finish in 12 months
  • Tuition:$4,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses: 11 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:

  • Leadership strategies
  • Talent management
  • Communication
  • Data collection and interpretation
  • Financial statements

Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.

How to Become a Manager (3) Business

COMPARE

Marketing – M.S.

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Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...

Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.

  • Time:61%of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
  • Tuition:$4,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses:10 total courses in this program
  • Specialization:Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics

Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:

  • Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Digital Marketing Analytics
  • Presentations
  • Market Research
  • Communications

A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.

How Much Does a Manager Make?

$59,193

The exact income of a manager depends on a wide variety of factors, including their employer, employer’s location, employer’s size, years of experience, education, and active certifications. On average, the annualsalary of a manageris $59,193, with a range of roughly $38,000 to $101,000.

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

5%

Managers should see increased job demand in future years. From 2019 to 2029,employment for management positions is expected to grow 5%. This growth rate is faster than the average across all occupations. Natural growth and change in company structures should drive the demand for new management positions. As businesses expand and grow more complex, they will require the leadership services of qualified managers.

SKILLS

What Skills Does a Manager Need?

The skillset of a manager allows them to communicate effectively, ensure smooth company operations, and set goals that drive employees toward success.The skills a manager needs include:

  • Employee management:The ability to manage a company’s workforce in a way that allows each employee to thrive.
  • Leadership:The ability to motivate company employees toward success, leading by example and providing a clear path toward company growth.
  • Instruction:The ability to teach employees and all company representatives about any updates or changes to corporate policies or processes.
  • Staffing:The ability to hire and fire employees as necessary, to create a workforce that collaborates well and overcomes challenges.
  • Technological proficiency:The ability to use all necessary pieces of technology in a management role, including any computers, tablets, phones, and online programs.
  • Interpersonal communication:The ability to correspond effectively with fellow managers, company employees, and executives.
  • Problem-solving:The ability to identify and overcome any issues that the company might be facing.
  • Delegation:The ability to assign tasks as necessary to company employees.
  • Data analysis/reporting:The ability to gather, analyze, and report on data that may impact future business operations.

These and other skills help managers find success as they provide the necessary leadership in a professional setting.

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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!

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Interested in Becoming a Manager?

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How to Become a Manager (2024)

FAQs

How to Become a Manager? ›

Earn a master's degree or an MBA

It is unlikely an entry-level professional gets a managerial role as they are senior-level positions. Most employers prefer to hire individuals with a master's degree in management as it implies that they have in-depth knowledge of managerial requirements.

What qualifications do you need to be a manager? ›

Earn a master's degree or an MBA

It is unlikely an entry-level professional gets a managerial role as they are senior-level positions. Most employers prefer to hire individuals with a master's degree in management as it implies that they have in-depth knowledge of managerial requirements.

How does one become a manager? ›

To become a manager, you need to have solid personal leadership skills first. If you can't manage yourself and prioritize your time, workload, or performance, it will be virtually impossible to lead others' schedules and oversee their responsibilities. Next, you will need to be an expert of your designated area.

How to become a manager with no experience? ›

How to Become a Manager Without Experience in 6 Ways
  1. Learn From Your Managers. ...
  2. Request Your Seniors to Give You a Project to Lead. ...
  3. Volunteer to Train, Mentor and Guide a Teammate. ...
  4. Be Proactive in Supporting Your Supervisor As Required. ...
  5. Polish your Resume. ...
  6. Prepare Well for the Interview. ...
  7. Upcoming Leadership courses.

Can you become a manager without a degree? ›

You can become a manager without a degree and with no prior experience by developing managerial skills so that you will be able to handle the many different responsibilities of a management position and execute your job well.

What is the best age to be a manager? ›

Managing a team of people comes with a new level of responsibilities. But have you ever considered the vast difference between being a manager and a leader? Harvard Business Review reports that 30 is the average age of a first-time manager while 40 is the age where people first embark on leadership training.

How do I become a first-time manager? ›

Consider these 14 tips for first-time managers to help you transition into your new leadership role:
  1. Remain open to learning. ...
  2. Connect with employees. ...
  3. Meet with other managers. ...
  4. Listen to employee feedback. ...
  5. Enhance your leadership skills. ...
  6. Be visible.
Jul 30, 2024

Do managers make money? ›

How much does a Manager make? As of Sep 4, 2024, the average annual pay for a Manager in the United States is $43,942 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $21.13 an hour. This is the equivalent of $845/week or $3,661/month.

What is the first rule of being a manager? ›

1. Be consistent. Consistency is key. Being consistent means rewarding the same good behaviours, discouraging the same bad behaviours and treating each member of your team equally.

What is the first thing to do as a manager? ›

Listen and Learn. Many new managers want to make bold changes quickly to show that they're in charge—and it's a bad idea. Resist this temptation, and instead, take plenty of time to fully understand your organization and team. Set up individual meetings with each of your new staff members to understanding their roles.

What skills do most managers lack? ›

Here are the top five skills managers are missing:
  1. Team building. According to the People Management Report, 28 percent of employees say team building is the skill their manager lacks most. ...
  2. Providing feedback. ...
  3. Time management. ...
  4. Delegation. ...
  5. Communication.
May 12, 2020

Can anyone learn to be a manager? ›

If you're interested in making key decisions, leading people and organizing projects, you might consider becoming a manager. With strong interpersonal and leadership skills , it's possible to become a manager even without direct experience.

Can you be a manager at 30? ›

unless you are a cheese!" - Billie Burke. …or a new manager. According to DDI, the average age for a first-time manager is 36. They found that “most first-time managers are between the ages of 25 and 38, but people may be stepping into their first leadership job as young as 16 or as late in their careers as 69.”

What qualifies you to be a manager? ›

Managers should have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration, business management or in the field related to the department they work in. For example, if you hope to become a marketing manager, you should have a bachelor's degree in marketing or journalism.

How many years does it take to be a manager? ›

Generally, individuals typically start their careers in entry-level positions and gain experience and knowledge over a few years, typically ranging from 3 to 5 years or more, before moving into a supervisory or junior management role.

What degree do most managers have? ›

After obtaining their undergraduate degree, many aspiring managers pursue a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's in Marketing. Many management positions will require candidates have these advanced degrees. These programs help fully prepare students for leadership roles in the workplace.

What makes you qualified to be a manager? ›

A manager should have a bachelor's degree in business administration or a field related to the department they work in. For example, someone looking to become a manager for a finance company may have a finance degree. Larger companies typically require a manager to have a master's degree in business administration.

What qualifies someone as a manager? ›

Education: A bachelor's degree is often required, although some employers require a master's degree in HR or business; obtaining HR certifications can also make you competitive. Experience: Several years of work relating to organizing, directing and leading people.

What are the skills required to become a manager? ›

7 skills for a successful management career
  • Interpersonal skills.
  • Communication and motivation.
  • Organisation and delegation.
  • Forward planning and strategic thinking.
  • Problem solving and decision-making.
  • Commercial awareness.
  • Mentoring.
  • How do I develop leadership and management skills?

What is the minimum requirement to be a manager? ›

Managers should have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration, business management or in the field related to the department they work in. For example, if you hope to become a marketing manager, you should have a bachelor's degree in marketing or journalism.

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