There’s no denying that when you are choosing a program of study, you want a subject that is going to lead to good job opportunities as well as a decent salary. Seeking a degree requires an investment of time and money, and you want a return on that investment; there is no sense in getting a degree that’s only going to lead to a position serving coffee, or worse, in the unemployment line.
If you are looking for a degree that is going to open doors to a satisfying and lucrative career, look no further than an organizational leadership degree. With coursework covering everything from leadership theory to practical skills in organizational finance, a degree in organizational leadership gives you the skills and knowledge that you need to serve in a leadership or management role in almost any type of organization.The Overall Outlook
Simply put, job prospects in organizational leadership are good. Employers of all sizes seek employees who have demonstrable leadership skills and with a degree in leadership, you automatically stand above other applicants who may have skills that are less immediately evident. However, if you are seeking a high-level executive position, you should know that there is limited growth in this area. Competition is ferocious. With a degree in organizational leadership, though, and the practical training that these programs provide, you will rise to the top of the applicant pool and have a better chance of landing one of these jobs.While the market for CEOs and top management might not be wide open, there is one area of organizational leadership that is experiencing significant growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that opportunities for organizational leadership consultants will increase faster than average. With changes in regulations regarding healthcare, wages, litigation and more affecting businesses of all sizes, more organizations are seeking guidance and advice from organizational leadership consultants to successfully navigate the new business environment. And in a challenging economic climate, many companies are seeking advice and guidance on how to improve their bottom line and streamline their operations to stay afloat – guidance that’s provided by organizational leadership consultants.
Salary Information
One area where organizational leadership excels is, without a doubt, in the area of salary. While earnings can never be guaranteed, earning a degree in organizational leadership increases your chances of landing a high paying job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, general and operations managers earn an average of between $63,000 and $137,000 annually, while upper level executives earn significantly more. CEOs and top level management at major corporations can earn salaries of well over $1 million each year. Of course, how much you earn depends largely on your organization and industry.Organizational consultants, who work either for a private firm or independently, also have great earning power. On average, organizational consultants earn an average of $85,000 a year.
Landing a Job
In most cases, organizational leaders and managers did not land their positions directly out of school. Since managing the complexities of large organizations requires experience as well as education, most managers work their way through the ranks of the organization into leadership positions. However, seeking a degree in this area can shorten that journey somewhat.In some areas, such as educational leadership, an advanced degree is a requirement for moving into administrative positions. Most educational administrators, such as superintendents, hold doctorate degrees in educational leadership in addition to their undergraduate and graduate work in education or leadership.
In any case, the wide variety of job responsibilities in organizational leadership positions requires that you have the ability to build relationships with a wide variety of people at all levels, understand corporate responsibility, make decisions and develop strategies, particularly in the area of organizational change, develop – and meet – business goals, manage human and capital resources and build a high-performance corporate culture. Seeking a degree in organizational leadership helps you build these skills, improving your chances of landing a good job with plenty of growth potential.
When you are looking for an educational program that is going to open doors to a wide variety or well-paying jobs, then organizational leadership might be just the ticket. Offering a broad base of knowledge and organizational perspectives, as well as practical skills, organizational leadership programs are creating the managers of the future.
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About the Author
This article was written by Justin Davis who is pursuing an MBA degree online. He expects to have his degree by next year.
