Class Wrap-Up Paper

Before I started the Introduction to Business course here at Colorado State I had very limited knowledge of what concentration I wished to obtain, I barley even knew what a concentration was. However I did think that I wanted to get into sales, so I guess you can say that the initial concentration that I wished to acquire was marketing. The main reason I originally had interest in marketing was the influence that I got from my dad. My dad works for Siemens Medical Solutions and he always told me how much money I could make if I sold Siemens product. So I decided that marketing might be a good option to look into.
After taking this course I still want to pursue a concentration in marketing, but I also think that I want to look into management as well. The persuasion for this decision came from the speakers talked to us in class. After hearing all of them and discovering what exactly each of the concentration meant I found management to be quite appealing. I learned that a management concentration can take you very far and there is a potential to make a lot of money. I think that I have very good people and leadership skills which are of the main traits of management. I also liked to be around people and socialize. I find it easy to make new friends and I am comfortable in almost all social situations.
I am much more comfortable choosing a concentration now than I was at the beginning of the year. I feel as if I have enough background knowledge on each concentration to make a good decision on a concentration. Although we just briefly overviewed each of the concentrations, I still feel like I can make a confident choice. Before I choose a specific concentration for sure I will look into the two that I have narrowed it down to more closely. I may even consider doing a double concentration in marketing and management, so I need to obtain more information on what that would take.
I thought that the speakers were very helpful. It’s good to hear what occupations are about from people that are actually in them. Also I felt like I got to know the different kind of personalities that each concentration takes. For example the marketing speaker seemed very extroverted and social, and they management speakers seem very strong and disciplined. This was very helpful to see. In addition they only presented the important facts about their concentration which was nice to hear.
I feel very confident about choosing business as my major. I think that business is very intriguing and I am going to enjoy studying. Another reason I take pleasure in studying business is because it is something that I think I can excel in.
I feel very comfortable meeting with a Career Advisor. I find the college of business very professional and technologically advanced. I already feel acquainted with the college and the people in the college.
Although I found most all of the information presented in Business 100 useful, I think the most useful information came from the speakers talking about the different concentrations. It really helped ensure me about which concentration to choose.

Business Publication #6 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/money/ci_11830129

The article "7 Colorado banks rebuked for risky practices" is about 7 banks in Colorado that are currently under strong enforcement orders for less than responsible practices. The banks violated rules such as lending to much money to commercial businesses that don't qualify. The banks are taking steps by firing high officials within the bank. They believe that creating a new management team will help the banks to rebound.

Business Publication #5- The Austrailan

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25141579-5017999,00.html

The article "Wall St rises as global markets rebound on China hopes" is about wall street breaking a five day losing streak in the stock market because of hopes of a new stimulus package in china. Good speculation in China's markets caused investors to buy industrial and commodities stocks. China and the United States are considered twin engines to the economy and the run off of each other, new light in the Chinese markets means new light in the US market.

City Exploration

San Diego, CA- Requirements met, living cost is %30.6 higher than Denver

San Jose, CA - Requirements met, living cost is %22 higher than Denver

Baltimore, MD- Requirements met, Living cost is %.1 higher than Denver


*All based on an annual salary of $35,000

Source: http://swz.salary.com/CostOfLivingWizard/layouthtmls/coll_metrodetail_155.html

Internships

Siemens
Generation 21
http://w1.siemens.com/responsibility/en/citizenship/generation21.htm
Introduction to Siemens and technology
Interest in the Company and a resume

GE
Internship and Co-ops
http://www.ge.com/careers/students/internships/index.html
Find out more information and careers within GE. Prepare for a job with GE in the future.
You must be a full time student and have at least a 3.0 GPA as well as an accurate resume.

Microsoft
Internships (General)
http://www.microsoft.com/college/ip_overview.mspx
Paid internships to get a jump start on a career. Includes: finance, marketing, human resources as well as others.
requirements include: US citizen or visa, resume.

Possible Jobs

Siemens

Supply Chain planner

https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_siemens/external/jobDetails.do?functionName=getJobDetail&jobPostId=281461&localeCode=en-us



Sony

Product analysts

http://scajobs.sony.com/careers/job_detail.asp?JobID=1481649&user_id=

GE Healthcare
Administrative assistant
https://xjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_jobdetail.asp?SID=^IfpF5d4xYreQ7kjy92ABWIu6g4nSG3BnMjDjEu9XvsDD/q5HiYfaFICqbUC_slp_rhc_/aDMYJrclLYZl5B9_C_R__L_F_E7yt_slp_rhc_gq9LksX9cYDPlFxgM0crCG1qYw=&jobId=710432&type=search&JobReqLang=1&recordstart=1&JobSiteId=5346&JobSiteInfo=710432_5346&GQId=0

Microsoft
Business Administrator
http://members.microsoft.com/careers/search/details.aspx?JobID=7E3E8B74-4A35-4C32-9195-EEDAF6B923B3&start=1&interval=10&SortCol=DatePosted&SortOrder=Desc

Phillips
Administrative Assistant
https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_philips/external/en/jobDetails.do?functionName=getJobDetail&jobPostId=192903&localeCode=en-us

Career Exploration

Concentration: Management

Possible Careers:
1. CEO
2. President
3. General Manager

1. CEO:

• CEOs are the highest ranking managers in a company. They must have a clear vision regarding the future of the company. CEOS must also inspire those who work under them.
• There is no specific requirement needed to be a CEO, just good leadership skills
• The employment outlook for CEOs gets better with the economy, so the economy is a factor.
• The starting salary is between $150,000 and $3,500,000
• Difficult to achieve, Slow economy, I am young

2. President

• The president of the company is the CEO "right hand man." The president runs daily operations and has a great understanding of the company. The president also translates the CEO's ideas so that everyone in the company can understand.
• Just like being a CEO good leadership skills are required.
• The better the economy the better the outlook for being a president will be.
• Average salary is between $75,000 and $1,000,000
• Similar to achieving CEO status being a president will be a long and difficult road, slow economy, very few positions.

3. General Manager:

• GMs work with department chairs and chief executives, GMs also must know a lot about day to day operations as well as primary functions within the business. GMs analyze financial matters and provide profit and loss statements. GMs directly oversee many operations.
• Leadership skills
• Same as above
• $75,000 to $500,000
• Same as above

Business Publication #4 - Economist

Liberty Media gets Sirius
http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13145825

I found It surprising that Sirius XM Radio almost had to file for bankruptcy when they are a monopoly in the satellite radio business. I don't understand how they could go out of business with not one other competitor in the market. I also found super interesting that the arch-rival of Sirius XM, Dish Network did not choose to buy Sirius out. Dish could easily buy out Sirius and be the new provider for Satellite radio, instead they chose to lend Sirius up to 530 million dollars to bail them out and in return they will receive a 40% stake. I think that in the end Dish could benefit for the bailout its a bold investment.

Business Publication #3 - BBC News

US shares at nearly 12-year low
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7906899.stm

I found it interesting that the US Shares have not been lower since October 1997. Some good news is that the US efforts to revive banks in America are working. Citigroup is up 10% and The Bank of America is up 3%. I also learned that British economists think that the US government is doing a "lousy" job with the current economic crisis.

Visit to the Career Fair

The first company I visited at the Career Fair was Siemens Building Technologies. This is where I met senior account executive Dan Walsh. I first asked Dan what kind of attributes he is looking for in an intern or new employee looking for a sales position. He replied that he is looking young people right out of college that he can put through rigorous sales training courses. He said that they prefer to train young people over people with experience because young people can be trained for what exactly what the company needs. Older, more experienced people tend to do things their own way. I also asked Mr. Walsh about some of the processes that is involved with a sales position. To some it up he simply told me that a lot of the equipment sells itself and it is important to be knowledgeable about the products, meet with clients, and be friendly.

The next company that I visited was Professional Document Solutions, Inc. I talked to Matt Clark the sales manager. He informed me that there was a local sales position available. This brought me to my first question. I asked Matt if there was much travel involved in this position, he told me that there would probably be some local travel involved, just staying in Colorado. I also asked him if PDS, inc sells to the UPS store because I used to work at the UPS store and I have some experience in that type of business. He said that the UPS store is a client and they often sell them office supplies such as paper and ink.

Business Publication #2 - Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/29/textron-jets-closer-markets-equity-0129_markets41.html

The article "High Anxiety For Textron Investors" by Melinda Peer, is about the business Textron's dropping stock. Textron is a business specializing in industrial tools such as vehicles for transportation (private jets, golf carts etc.). Many of the products sold by Textron I would consider to be luxuries. As the economy takes its toll on big businesses such as Chrysler and General Motors these companies can not afford their normal luxuries such as private jets. To try to help out President Obama even offered awards and bonuses to those companies that purchased new private jets. I found it very interesting that CEO's of huge companies such as General Motors are now flying on regular commercial jets just because its cheaper. It is a prime example about how all business are connected in the economy no matter how unrelated they might seem.

Business Publication #1 - Business Week

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/markets/news/article.asp?docKey=600-200902021917PR_NEWS_USPR_____SF65856-3CV2MMIUIOFM4QEA25KEBIA059&params=timestamp02/02/2009%207:17%20PM%20ETheadlineBig%20Reach%2C%20a%20New%20Ecommerce%20Web%20Development%20Firm%2C%20Launches%20February%202%2C%202009.docSourcePR%20NewswireproviderACQUIREMEDIA

I found the article "Big Reach, a New Ecommerce Web Development Firm, Launches February 2, 2009." to be very relavent with the business industry today. The article discussed the launching of a new business in Ecommerce called Big Reach. Ecommerce can best be discribed as online commercial activity. This business was developed by Dennis Erokan, Steven Donaldson, Michael Zinke and Stephen Herz, all are geniuses in Ecommerce. Big Reach is designed to help people set up there online businesses using these professionals assistance. This article caught my eye because I believe that the future will be all about Ecommerce and being innovative in this new industry early can have a huge payoff.

My WHY Factor

There are many reasons why I live my life the way I do. I wake up every morning to go to class because I know that in the future all my hard work will pay off with a steady income and a happy family. I am going to college because I know that the world is becoming increasingly more educated and getting a job is becoming more and more competitive. This is also why I try to study hard and complete all my assignments. Sometimes just passing a class isn't good enough, I think that you have to excel in a class and your effort will be recognized by your future employer when your GPA is presented. If I had to sum up my why factor in just one word, the word would be future. I am doing everything I can right now for a comfortable future.

Dream Locations

I would prefer to work in a suburb, close the a city, with a decent population somewhere around 100,000 people. I really enjoy the weather in Colorado so I want to do business in an environment close to that of Colorado's. I also need an international airport close (within 60 minutes away) because I plan on traveling for work. I need to be able to do outdoor activities on weekends with out too much hassle, so some mountains would be nice. I also would like a really organized 8 lane highway system for an easy stress free commute. I want the city to be clean and reputable.

Dream Companies

1. Siemens Medical Solutions http://www.medical.siemens.com/

2. GE Healthcare http://www.gehealthcare.com/

3. Phillips Healthcare http://www.healthcare.phillips.com/

4. Sony www.sony.com

5. Microsoft www.microsoft.com