What degree is best for a management position

[curiousbrain]

Of course they have a vested interest in telling someone what they want to hear, but I recently discussed this with several HR folks.

The scuttlebutt that I got was that the main thing was having a degree - it proves you can make a commitment and follow through with it; it speaks more to the character of an individual than anything else.

edit: Mind you, my previous remarks concern a degree from the "absolute" perspective (i.e. just having a degree); whether any degree is better suited to managing people than any others I cannot speak to, although it looks like others in this thread already have.

 

[beentheredonethat]

I was wondering, if your Depot is not on the earn to learn program can you submit a app anyways, and still get money towards your schooling especially if your going to apply It to UPS. Also I was wondering if Bussiness/ cummincation was a good degreee to attain, or is there one they like better ? Thank you all, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can please feel free to fill me in on any information regarding my career with UPS, Thank you so much.

Currently UPS is mainly concerned that a person has a degree, not what the degree is in. Also, it used to be that when a new person went into mgmt, the vast majority would stay with UPS until retirement. For good or bad, this isn't the case anymore. For this reason, I suggest you base your degree decision, based on what kind of career you would like to have. For example if you would like sales then look into a degree in (Marketing, Business etc). If you want to pursue a career in engineering look into a degree in (Engineering, Supply Chain Mgmt, etc).

 

[Anonymous 10]

Defiantly not a degree in theology.

 

[Catatonic]

Defiantly not a degree in theology.

I had a district Mgr who had a theology degree and several other management who had one.

 

[rod]

I had a district Mgr who had a theology degree and several other management who had one.

apparently they must have slept through the classes on "Do unto others"

 

[Catatonic]

apparently they must have slept through the classes on "Do unto others"

You mean the "Do unto others before they do unto you" class?

As I have said in the past, "Everyone can rationalize anything."

 

[satellitedriver]

Currently UPS is mainly concerned that a person has a degree, not what the degree is in. Also, it used to be that when a new person went into mgmt, the vast majority would stay with UPS until retirement. For good or bad, this isn't the case anymore. For this reason, I suggest you base your degree decision, based on what kind of career you would like to have. For example if you would like sales then look into a degree in (Marketing, Business etc). If you want to pursue a career in engineering look into a degree in (Engineering, Supply Chain Mgmt, etc).

Excellent advice.

 

[preload1]

Engineering or finance.

 

[hangin455]

Transcendental Meditation

 

[pickup]

A 33 degree from the local mason lodge might be helpful. You never know who you meet and greet with that not so secret handshake might be in a position to help you out.

 

[Catatonic]

I assume you are talking about what kind of degree that will work well in the Corporate world.
UPS like most companies are looking for people who can analyze situations and data.
The other suggestions by posters in this thread are good suggestions.
Finance, Marketing/Sales Engineering, Business Management, and any business related courses.

If you want to work in the Corporate office of a company, there are other degrees that might work for you:
Marketing, Human Resources, Communications, Web development, etc.
Keep in mind that these degree-jobs are only available in a location which requires you to move to these locations.

 

[BURMDPsupe]

I'd say a doctorate in psychiatry. That way you can self medicate or medicate those around you.

M-

 

[DS]

" What degree is best for a management position ?" Third?

I'd say a doctorate in psychiatry. That way you can self medicate or medicate those around you. M-

A lot of good advice here...mostly...run away...run away....I think Dfigtree has it right,"What degree is best for a management position"no matter what you major in,if you go with ups,you will constantly get the 3rd degree.

 

[UPS Lifer]

If you are planning on making UPS a career and want to move up the ladder, you have to have skill in managing people. Most corporations fit this mold not just UPS.

As you move up, you are managing centers, divisions/departments, districts etc.
So without that skill it really does not matter what your degree is in. If you can't deal with people & confrontation, hold them accountable, muster the spirit of teamwork, hold yourself accountable, and possess the quality of LEADERSHIP, you will not be successful in a corporate environment unless you are deemed an "expert" in your field. As an "expert" without the other skills you will be pigeon holed into that expert field and unable to break through to another level.

I have a friend who has a Master's Degree in business but he couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag so he is still at a supervisory level in his company. He has a degree in finance and has 30 years in finance and has never moved up the ladder.

Sooo, play to your strengths and what you want to do in the future and plan your degree for that.

 

[beentheredonethat]

Lifer,
I do agree with what you said about managing people. I've had various jobs where I managed people from PT hourlies and supvs, to FT admins, to FT technicians and specialists to FT Supvs. I can do the job, and I've done the job well. I had to at times discipline people, one person I had to terminate. However, although I can do it, and did it well. It wasn't a job that I considered fun. When I had that job, it was a job. I'm now in a job that I really like, it's at a mgr level and I have no one directly reporting to me. I realize that if I want to go to the next level, it will be 100% going back to managing people. Truthfully, the money isn't worth it to me. I'd much rather enjoy the job I'm doing and getting paid OK for it, vs getting more money and not enjoying my job. When a person makes a career decision, they have to think about that too. After all, people entering the work force will be working for 40 years or so. It won't be fun if they have a job they don't enjoy, even if they can do it well.

 

[UPS Lifer]

Lifer,
I do agree with what you said about managing people. I've had various jobs where I managed people from PT hourlies and supvs, to FT admins, to FT technicians and specialists to FT Supvs. I can do the job, and I've done the job well. I had to at times discipline people, one person I had to terminate. However, although I can do it, and did it well. It wasn't a job that I considered fun. When I had that job, it was a job. I'm now in a job that I really like, it's at a mgr level and I have no one directly reporting to me. I realize that if I want to go to the next level, it will be 100% going back to managing people. Truthfully, the money isn't worth it to me. I'd much rather enjoy the job I'm doing and getting paid OK for it, vs getting more money and not enjoying my job. When a person makes a career decision, they have to think about that too. After all, people entering the work force will be working for 40 years or so. It won't be fun if they have a job they don't enjoy, even if they can do it well.

Reading your post, about the line of "I have no one directly reporting to me...." brought back memories. I posted a page about "My UPS Life" on my website (Rick's World - Sedona - My UPS Life), but I recall a line that a manager who managed our most infamous center in the southern half of our region (Hemet Center) later renamed a couple of times because the name carried a stigma with it. The managers and supervisors came to work every day to a huge battle. No Teamster employee would even acknowledge the presence of a management person without first being on the clock. I personally witnessed this. Three managers I worked with became Labor Managers because they were forced to became "experts" with the contract. Most managers did not last long in the center. Some even asked for a demotion to get out of there.

Anyway....when I worked in the district office, one of these Labor Managers office was next to mine. Every morning he would peek his head into my office and ask me if any of my pencils called in sick today! It was a reminder of how lucky we were not to have direct reports and that nobody could impact our job by calling in sick!!

Oh! BTW, the infamous Hemet Center became one of the best centers in the district when the right manager was put in charge. He treated people like people should be treated and the drivers responded.

 

[dilligaf]

Reading your post, about the line of "I have no one directly reporting to me...." brought back memories. I posted a page about "My UPS Life" on my website (Rick's World - Sedona - My UPS Life), but I recall a line that a manager who managed our most infamous center in the southern half of our region (Hemet Center) later renamed a couple of times because the name carried a stigma with it. The managers and supervisors came to work every day to a huge battle. No Teamster employee would even acknowledge the presence of a management person without first being on the clock. I personally witnessed this. Three managers I worked with became Labor Managers because they were forced to became "experts" with the contract. Most managers did not last long in the center. Some even asked for a demotion to get out of there.

Anyway....when I worked in the district office, one of these Labor Managers office was next to mine. Every morning he would peek his head into my office and ask me if any of my pencils called in sick today! It was a reminder of how lucky we were not to have direct reports and that nobody could impact our job by calling in sick!!

Oh! BTW, the infamous Hemet Center became one of the best centers in the district when the right manager was put in charge. He treated people like people should be treated and the drivers responded.

It's amazing what the right combination of people can get done.