What is Operations Management?
Operations management involves the following:
-
Monitoring all activities related to production of goods and services.
-
Ensuring effective communication between various departments and functions
-
Collaborating with senior management and other departments in order to formulate company goals and standards and procedures
-
Evaluating performance of company at regular intervals, identifying areas of improvement, and suggesting appropriate solutions
-
Checking if all the functions of the company are aligned towards achieving the overall strategic goals
-
Overseeing staff and project teams and assigning relevant roles and responsibilities
-
Analyzing the financial situation of company and managing resources and investments
-
Overseeing important activities such as supply chain, sales, credit terms, and personnel management
These are general responsibilities and duties of operation managers, but they could depend on the employee's position and the company at which the employee works. If you want to work in operations management, consider enrolling in a bachelor's degree program. It may be the very first step towards your career.
Program Curriculum
In a bachelor in operations management degree program, you may take courses such as:
-
Management for Organizations
-
Operations Management & Quantitative Techniques
-
Integrated Cost & Schedule Control
-
Production Operation Control
-
Strategic management and Business Policy
-
International Supply Chain Management
-
Principles of Finance
-
Total Quantity Management
-
Business Systems Analysis
Although the major emphasis will be on operations management, some courses will focus on the fundamental knowledge of business in order to ensure that you are equipped with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary knowledge base. The names and types of courses will vary from one university to another. In order to successfully graduate from the program, you'll be required to complete a certain number of credit hours by taking up a combination of compulsory and elective classes.
Admission Requirements
When it comes to admission requirements, there tends to be some slight variations at each university. However, as a part of the application process, you'll be required to provide the following:
-
Letters of Recommendations
-
Personal Statement
-
Official Transcripts
-
Standardized Test Scores
-
Application Fees (some universities)
Online Education
Due to the continually increasing trend of online education, anyone with a computer and an internet connection may be able to enroll in a degree program. Online programs tend to be cost effective as they help cut down on commuting expenses and fees associated with on-campus programs. Moreover, they allow you to hold on to a job while you study at your own pace. You should look through all the details of various online programs before you enroll in an online bachelor's degree in operations management program. You should take into account the credentials of the faculty and the accreditation status of the university.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Operations Management?
According to O*NET OnLine, 'General and Operations Manager' is a 'Bright Outlook' career, with around 8% to 14% job growth rate and 613,100 new job openings from 2012 to 2022. In 2013, these professionals made a median annual wage of $96,430. The exact level of compensation will depend on relevant work experience, personal skills, as well as the prospective employer. Some examples of areas where graduates with a degree in operations management could work include the following:
-
Production Control
-
Inventory Management
-
Supply Chain
-
Inventory Management
-
Quality Control
-
Production Scheduling
-
Resource Planning