Many general mangers have a bachelor s degree or higher in liberal arts or business administration. Their major often is related to the departments that they direct. Graduate and professional degrees are common. Many managers in administrative, marketing, financial, and manufacturing activities have a master s degree in business administration. Managers in highly specialized fields often have a master s degree in engineering or a doctoral degree in a scientific discipline.
Many managers have liberal arts degrees in public administration or one of the social sciences.
Whatever the manager s educational background, it must be accompanied by related work experience reflecting demonstrated ability. Management employees should have good communication skills and be able to establish effective working relationships with many different people, ranging from managers, supervisors, and professionals to clerks and blue-collar workers. They should be analytical, detail oriented, flexible, and decisive. The ability to coordinate several activities at once and quickly analyze and resolve problems is important. Coping with deadlines and pressure is also important.