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Practically every firm has one or more business managers. Among them are chief financial officers, vice presidents of finance, treasurers, controllers, credit managers, and cash managers. They prepare the financial reports required by the firm to conduct its operations and to ensure that the firm satisfies tax and regulatory requirements. Business managers also oversee the flow of cash and financial instruments, monitor the extension of credit, assess the risk of transactions, raise capital, analyze investments, develop information to assess the present and future financial status of the firm, and communicate with stock holders and other investors.

Case Study: Charles Moran
Former Charman, President, and CEO: Lionel D. Edie Company, Inc.
College Professor: The College of New Jersey, Harvard University

Charles Moran spent 20 successful years of his life climbing the corporate ladder. And he started that climb by majoring in Sociology as an undergraduate. Charles initially was considering becoming a city planner, a sociology based career. He knew the possibility existed that he would change his mind. He decided to major in Sociology anyway, at Princeton University, because he knew it would provide him with a solid background regardless of career choice. "Sociology is a good foundation for interaction with people," he said.

After majoring in Sociology, Charles went on to the University of Michigan Law School and earned his J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree. "I had decided I wanted to go into a business or banking career," said Charles. "I knew law would teach me the legal foundations and conventions within business and provide me the discipline and training I would need to succeed." He later completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Charles landed his first job at Chase Manhattan Bank in pension area of the Trust Department. In the three years he was there he also served as Administrative Officer and Officer in Charge of Business Development.

His next career move was to Manufacturer Hanover Trust Company, where he was employed for 17 years. Throughout the years he held numerous prestigious positions including: Vice President of Employee Benefits Trust, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Trust Division, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits Trust, Senior Vice President of Corporate Trust and Senior Vice President of Global Security Services. "All these positions encompassed general management responsibilities. I supervised up to 1500 people, developed strategies and was responsible for computer operations, administration and customer service," said Charles.

He was also Chairman, President and CEO of Lionel D. Edie Company Inc. (an investment management company), served on various Boards of Directors, represented the nation's banks on employee benefit issues through The American Bankers Association, testified over 30 times to Congressional Committees, the Department of Labor and other government agencies and spoke at numerous national and international conferences and industry association meetings. "Overall, Sociology provided me a strong background in everything I did. It helped me with organization issues and group dynamics," said Charles. Throughout his career Charles also taught over 20 courses, in subjects such as sociology, business, management, economics and finance. His interest in teaching eventually led him to his current job as assistant professor of business law at The College of New Jersey.

"I really enjoy teaching at TCNJ. The students are motivated. I challenge the students to keep a broad perspective, because in today's employment world that's what will set you apart," said Charles. "To succeed in the work force you just need experience in innovative thinking, a strong foundation in research and excellent oral and written communication skills. Sociology can provide that. If you have an interest in sociology then certainly major in that."

Charles also teaches Corporate Government at Harvard University, is a certified financial planner and is Chairman of the Board for Inform Inc., a non-profit environmental research company, doing work in New Jersey and around the world.

"My Sociology background is always part of what I do. I've always worked with and on behalf of others: in business and in teaching," he said. "Sociology was a good foundation for everything I have done."

Case Study: Janique Cordier
Business Consultant

Janique Cordier brings to her work a wealth of experience and education. From French universities, Janique earned her undergraduate degree in biochemistry and a master's degree in marketing. It was after moving to the United States that Janique began her studies in sociology. Initially, for Janique, "Sociology was a way of learning about the United States. I knew I needed to understand American culture."

The discipline also provided three additional benefits. First, "It provided a unique perspective on organizational behavior." Janique came to see work and organization from a social rather than technical or strictly business perspective. For example, the sociological perspective clearly differentiates productive work from mere activity. She observed that, "Many managers are caught in the 'activity trap' believing that activity equals productivity." It was the nature of work and organization that became Janique's Ph.D. emphasis.

The second benefit of sociology was the development of an array of special skills. These are primarily methodological and include abilities such as survey construction and administration, interviewing, statistical manipulation and interpretation.

The third benefit is really a skill, but is not traditionally referred to as a methodology. This benefit, this skill Janique refers to, is sensitivity to cultures and the means of communicating across cultures. She says that, "In most businesses people are promoted into management because they have good technical skills. The problem is they have no people skills. This problem is compounded when a manager must interact with colleagues and subordinates who are culturally different." By focusing on cultural diversity the discipline of sociology prepares people to better understand those with whom they come into contact. This is as much a skill as being able to process data statistically.

While still working on her Ph.D. Janique and a friend decided to pool their interests and resources in order to create a business. The focus of this business is to provide an array of consultative services to business organizations. Janique has primary responsibility for organizational research, which includes survey research, administering focus groups, overseeing training, and instrumentation. The objective of Janique's consultations is to help a business develop its human resource. For example, through "executive coaching" a CEO can come to better understand the problems of communication which cross over levels of work. Or, through a special training seminar personnel in constant contact with business clients can learn how to be more flexible regarding client needs. These cases focus on developing an organizational actor's perspective rather than their technical skills.

Janique also does work enhancing social perspective and human development on a variety of other fronts. Janique also consults on issues related to gender, minorities, people with disabilities, and age discrimination. In each case Janique seeks to help the organization interpret people, defined by these categories, as assets rather than liabilities.

Janique wants undergraduate students to know that there is a bright future in the type of professional work she performs. However, it does take initiative, creativity, and a sound basis in research. But it also requires clarity in the techniques of business. Therefore, Janique suggests that students be broadly prepared, maybe earning a dual major like business and sociology, so that they can operate in both environments. For this reason internships are highly recommended.

Finally, if one's consultant business is good, as Janique's is, what does it mean for income. Janique says it all depends on how busy you are and what kinds of work you are doing. However, as an example, on-site consultations usually run $175-$200 per day, plus expenses. This alone translates into annual salaries of $40,000 plus.

The point of Janique's experience is, it is possible with the right preparation, to work independently with degrees in sociology. Sociology provides a much needed perspective and a set of skills which can earn you a living in the world of corporations.

Taken from:
Stephens, W. R. (1999). Careers in sociology (2nd ed.). Allyn and Bacon: Boston, MA.

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What Schools Offer Graduate Programs in Business Administration?

Allentown College of Saint Francis de Sales

Pennsylvania State University - Great Valley

Alvernia College

Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science

Carnegie Mellon University

Point Park College

Clarion University of Pennsylvania