CAREeR GUIDE
EXPAND YOUR POSSIBILITIES Regis University offers programs that cater to busy professionals, including flexible options for obtaining bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or certificates in these areas of study: > > > > > > > > > >
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Accounting
Business Finance Human Resource Management Management Marketing Organization Leadership Public Administration Health Industry Leadership Project Management
CAREER GUIDES 2014
CAREER SNAPSHOT Darlene Zigray,
B.S. in Human Resource Management Darlene Zigray is a full-time student and a full-time mom going to school for her bachelor’s in Human Resource Management. As a single mom, Zigray’s two most important reasons for going back to school are her sons. She entered the workforce straight out of high school to obtain health insurance. When the recession hit, she found her work experience had elevated her to a job position level that exceeded her education. It became clear a degree was the key to her career stability and ability to support her family. Zigray started her degree path at Front Range Community College. At Front Range, her outstanding grades qualified her for a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society scholarship. With this scholarship in hand, she enrolled as a full-time student in Regis University’s College for Professional Studies (CPS). Capitalizing on the accelerated learning formats that CPS offers, Zigray completed two years’ worth of coursework in just two semesters. “Regis gave me the ability to accelerate my education so I can get back to what matters most to me – my boys,” Zigray said. Once she earns her degree, Zigray is excited to apply the knowledge and experience she gained to the business world. “I would recommend this program to anyone interested in furthering their career,” she said. “I am definitely looking forward to the day when I am a human resource manager and I can share my experience at Regis University with an employee looking for advice on career advancement.”
bachelor of Science in
BUSINESS
The Regis Bachelor of Science in Business curriculum brings together the most current trends, theories, skills and ethical business practices necessary in today’s competitive global business market. Regis’ Jesuit mission is reflected in the schools emphasis on ethical business practices and community service.
Specializations include: Finance
Human Resource Management Management Marketing Project Management Public Administration Flexible specialization
Careers and average salaries*:
Financial services sales agent: $71,720 Purchasing agent: $58,760
Training and development specialist: $55,930 Entrepreneur: $111,000
Sampling of classes offered: Ethical Decision Making in Business Global Business Issues Legal Environment of Business Business Systems in a Sustainable Society Project Management Managing Technology for Business Strategies *Median Salary info from bls.gov/oco and salary.com
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Bachelor of science in
ACCOUNTING Master of Science in
ACCOUNTING The accounting degree from Regis equips students with analytical and quantitative skills that can be directly applied within the private and public sector. At its core, the curriculum provides a strong foundation in ethics, which is in high demand by corporations and accounting licensing bodies. Eligible Regis graduates who intend to sit for their CPA are offered privileged access to Becker™ CPA Exam Review courses through a $400 partner discount.
Careers and average salaries*: Accountant or auditor: $63,550 Cost estimator: $58,860 Financial analyst: $76,950 Financial examiner: $75,800
Sampling of classes offered: Principles of Accounting
Auditing Principles and Procedures Business Finance Controllership International Accounting *Median Salary info from bls.gov/oco and salary.com
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CAREER SNAPSHOT Jennifer Zettel,
MBA with a speciation in Healthcare Leadership Jennifer Zettel is committed to finding solutions in health care. As a customer alliance director, she meets with medical directors and quality improvement specialists to collaborate on strategic quality projects. “Our health care system is broken,” Zettel said. “I want to be part of improving it. I think there are ways we can still pay doctors and improve quality for all people, while also keeping costs down.” With experience in sales and management, and an undergraduate degree in finance, Zettel specifically sought a master in business administration with a focus on health care. Regis’ health care industry leadership specialization propelled her to further define her career goals. Committed professors, thought-provoking course work and applicable group projects all helped Zettel better understand her interests and her profession. She brought concepts from class into the workplace and teamwork strategies from work into the classroom. “You don’t need to know it all. It’s not realistic in the workplace,” she said. “I will never know it all about different specializations within health care. And that’s okay. Find someone smarter than you who does, partner with them, and you’ll get a greater result.” Four years ago, Zettel was one of 30 to pilot her current position for Pfizer. She now manages all their key accounts in Colorado and New Mexico. Zettel graduated from Regis in December of 2012. “Regis is different. They are going to educate you as a whole person,” Zettel said. “Not every program does that. You’re going to get skills for career advancement. You’re going to get outstanding classes. But, more importantly, you are going to get real-life experience that is applicable to your future and what you want to do to be successful.”
Master of
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) The Regis University MBA degree offers the opportunity to develop a sophisticated understanding of the business enterprise. The curriculum develops business leaders who understand each functional element of business, including leadership, management, marketing, operations, finance and accounting. Students can specialize in one business area for even more depth.
Specialization options include: Finance and Accounting Health Industry Leadership Marketing Operations Management Organizational Performance Management Strategic Management
Careers and average salaries*: Medical and Health Services Manager: $88,580 Financial Manager: $109,740 Sales Manager: $105,260
General Operations Manager: $114,850 Marketing Director: $120,673
Plant General Manager: $160,893
Sampling of classes offered: The Economics of Management Ethical & Legal Environment of Business Developing Effective Organizations Financial Governance, Planning & Control Sustainability/Context in 21st Century Additional classes are determined by specialization *Median Salary info from bls.gov/oco and salary.com
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A Faster Path to Success Regis University’s College for Professional Studies (CPS) offers a number of combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees that allow students to earn a graduate degree at a faster pace and at a more affordable cost. By applying 2-4 graduate courses toward your undergraduate degree (depending on program) you can: > Get an early start on the master’s portion of your education > Reduce the overall credits required to complete both degrees > Graduate at a faster pace > Save on overall tuition costs
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CAREER GUIDES 2014
CAREER SNAPSHOT
Sergeant Scott Vandenberg,
Master of Science in Organization Leadership
Scott Vandenberg is a graduate of Regis’ Master of Science in Organization Leadership program, a sergeant with the Lone Tree Police Department, and he is a dad. A father of two children, ages 10 and 14, Vandenberg relied on time management to balance school, working full time and raising his children. He did most of the reading after his children were asleep, and worked on assignments between work and class. “I wanted to have that degree on the wall so when my kids get to the age where they are deciding to go to school or not, it can be an example,” he said. “They can’t use the excuse that I didn’t go to college. Yes I did. And raised you at the same time.” Vandenberg, who has been a police officer for 15 years, said his time in the classroom and in online classes provided tools for the workplace. He noticed it in small increments throughout the program when he was tasked to work on research or complete a project at work. “The leadership program works in any organization or any industry,” he said. “You gain a broader perspective of how the world functions and how to apply that to your work environment.” Every person in his classes came from a different background, he said, and they all wanted to contribute to the conversation. “If you are truly there to expand your thinking process, to learn how to think critically and to evaluate things from an overall perspective, then I think Regis is definitely the place for you.”
Master of Science in
ORGANIZATION LEADERSHIP The Master of Science in Organization Leadership (MSOL) program focuses specifically on the leadership function in organizations. The curriculum gives participants exposure to organizational development, strategic planning, and process improvement. Students may specialize in the leadership aspects related to one business area for more depth in that area.
Specializations include: Organizational Leadership and Management Human Resource Management and Leadership Project Leadership and Management Enterprise Resource Leadership and Planning
Careers and average salaries*: Construction Managers: $82,790
Human Resource Management: $99,720
General and Operations Management: $101,650 Training and Development Managers: $95,400
Sampling of classes offered: Making Decisions in Organizations Leading Change & Innovation Strategic Management & Financial Report Analysis Leading in Changing Economies *Median Salary info from bls.gov/oco and salary.com
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finding the time —
MAKING IT WORK
Once you choose a school, the next step is making it happen. As an adult with many responsibilities, finding the time to go back to school can be tricky. Yet, thousands of adults go back to school every year and make it work. The key is figuring out how to rearrange the life you have to get the life you want. The Theory of Margin is a helpful tool. Howard McClusky introduced the Theory of Margin in 1959 as a way to explain the need to balance the stresses and demands (load) on a person with his or her coping resources (power). By load, we mean the demands made on a person by self and society. By power, we mean the resources, i.e. abilities, possessions, position, allies, etc., which a person can command in coping with load. Margin may be decreased by increasing load and/or reducing power. We can control both by modifying either our power or load. When our load continually matches or exceeds our power and if both are fixed and/or out of control or irreversible, the situation becomes difficult to sustain. If, however, load and power can be controlled, and better yet, if a person is able to lay hold of a reserve (margin) of power, he/she is better equipped to meet unforeseen emergencies, is better positioned to take risks, can engage in exploratory, creative activities, and is more likely to learn, etc., i.e. do those things that enable him/her to live above a plateau of mere selfsubsistence (p. 83). The Theory of Margin can be used to evaluate many scenarios in life, including the decision to go back to school. Sometimes you have no margin and sometimes you run a deficit. With any luck, you will also have times when things slow down and you have some margin. Many found themselves with a lot of margin when they lost jobs after the 2007 recession. The under-employed may have more margin than they are used to as well. Identifying your margin is the first step in creating some extra space in your life for school. Once you’ve identified your margin, what adjustments can you make to increase your power (resources) and/or decrease your load? For some people this may mean getting help with the kids one night a week. Someone else might enlist the help of their spouse in picking up some extra chores on the weekends. Each person’s situation is unique. McClusky, H. Y. (1970a). An approach to a differential psychology of adult potential. In S .M. Grabowski (Ed.), Adult Learning & Instruction (pp. 80-95). Syracuse: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Education and Adult Education Association of the USA.
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21st Century
BUSINESS TRENDS Creating adaptable leaders for organizational change Greater global mobility, a surge of retiring baby boomers, and a decade of corporate crime have converged to create a shifting business environment. In the past we relied on a traditional corporate ladder structure, with leaders perched at the top and information flowing mostly up or down, on a need-to-know basis. Teams were segmented by job function. Today, information moves in all directions, simultaneously and with transparency. Teams are increasingly cross-cultural, multi-functional, and intergenerational. Innovative companies look less like a pyramid and more like a fisherman’s net. How can business leaders keep pace and adjust their leadership styles to fit the new model? The Pew Center for Research reports that every day, for the next 17 years, 10,000 Americans will turn 65. Many retirees will be business leaders with years of experience and senior-level skills. Head for head, there are not enough leaders within the replacement workforce to fill these empty seats. The most efficient way to restructure businesses in light of this labor gap will be to build “knowledge” nets, where diversely skilled teams are largely self-managed and guided by a leader who crosses organizational boundaries to work interdepartmentally. Tony Vrba, an assistant professor at Regis University, believes this new model demands business identify and develop business leaders that have a
sophisticated understanding of human behavior and the ability to strategically navigate and manage rapid change. “Tomorrow’s leaders will need to understand the science of human behavior to lead cross-generational and cross-cultural staff. As clusters of senior managers reach retirement age, succession will become critically important,” Vrba said. “Teams will become increasingly collaborative rather than hierarchal, and the people leading these teams must blend astute business knowledge with the ability to develop and mentor employees.” This contemporary leadership philosophy that views people as the heart of success is one of the cornerstone philosophies of Regis University’s School of Management. “Regis develops leaders who understand and can successfully apply tools of behavior analysis to make decisions and improve processes,” Vrba said. In addition to the contemporary business and leadership curriculum, multi-generational students will benefit from a University that truly understands collaboration. The curriculum was developed and aligns with industry standards in collaboration with the Audrey Daniels Institute, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Project Management Institute (PMI).
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Find Your Balance
Regis University’s accelerated programs are delivered in 5-or 8-week terms with multiple start times. You can begin earning your degree when you are ready, and complete it in a timeframe that works for you. You can also get your degree in a variety of learning formats: campus-based, online, or directed study. You may wish to complete your studies in only one learning format, or combine several to fit your needs and learning style. Because Regis provides you with a variety of learning format options, it’s not difficult to fit your studies into your busy schedule.
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SNAPSHOT:
Brenda Zion Found Her Balance at Regis
It is never too late to change or influence change. Brenda Zion learned this firsthand. As a mother of two, Zion wanted to return to the workforce but also wanted to build some confidence around the skill base she developed before becoming a full-time mom. After researching graduate programs for adult students, Zion found that Regis University’s College for Professional Studies (CPS) was the place for her. “I really appreciated CPS’s online program. The learning format ensured I was able to give my family the attention I wanted to give them while pursuing a graduate degree,” Zion said. While studying for her Master of Science in Organization Leadership, Zion found her course work had a profound influence on her new position as executive director of OneMorgan County (OMC) in Morgan County, Colo. OneMorgan County was formed and funded through a Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families Initiative (SIRFI) grant from The Colorado Trust. Zion used the critical thinking, leadership skills and business knowledge she gained through her degree to guide OMC through becoming a self-sustaining, nonprofit organization. “Starting at OneMorgan County and getting my master’s degree went hand-in-hand. I was able to utilize classes to help the organization overcome various challenges. Regis gave me a great way to look at how to break down problems, create solutions and analyze the outcomes,” Zion said. These days, Zion welcomes the hard work and dedicated service that come with being the sole employee at OMC. She continues to use the skills she developed at Regis to be a significant resource for immigrants striving to assimilate to life in Morgan County. She also has transformed much of the skepticism around immigration into amazing potential for diversity and new life in the community.
ONLINE OR ON-CAMPUS?
There are more options than ever before for adult learners looking to attend school. Most universities offer at least a portion of their classes both online and in the classroom. Figuring out what format is right for you is important to your success. Start by asking yourself a few questions. Do you like to get things done ahead of schedule ,or do you perform better under pressure? Do you need face-to-face contact with your instructor? Can you learn by reading alone, or do you learn better listening to class discussions? Do you communicate better face-to-face, or in writing? Do you have an environment at home that is free of distractions?
On-Campus
If you need face-to-face contact with your instructor, communicate better verbally than in written form or don’t have a space at home you can dedicate to school, you may do better with on-campus classes.
Online
If you have strong written communication skills, learn well through reading and working alone, and like to get things done ahead of schedule, online learning may be right for you. Some students have subjects they struggle with and may prefer to take those classes in person. They may find themselves taking a “blended” class load, with some classes online and some on campus. The key is finding a balance that works for you and your life.
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