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CSUN Shapes Future Management Analysts For Stable Careers

As a growing number of progressive firms in Los Angeles continue to seek ways to become more profitable by reducing costs and remaining competitive, the job market for management analysts will stay on an upswing. In L.A., these specialists earn an average annual salary greater than $80,000, according to current data. Many work on a contractual basis, performing a multitude of duties designed to help a company prosper.

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(Photo Courtesy of Dr. Kenneth R. Lord)

"A review of a few management-analyst descriptions for positions currently open turned up an interesting array of functions, requiring rather specific business, as well as analytical, knowledge and ability," said Dr. Kenneth R. Lord, Dean of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). "Analysts must be adept at merchandising and product information strategies, pricing systems, collaboration with business users, documentation of business requirements, negotiation, project management and decision-support systems."

How is CSUN preparing aspiring management analysts?

"Students participating in our Master of Business Administration program receive both state-of-the-art instruction and hands-on, applied experience through courses and consulting projects in such areas as accounting, finance, information systems, management and marketing."

How is CSUN helping to mold future analysts?

"Our students receive instruction in and experience with big-data analytics and contemporary digital interfaces. Personal engagement allows them to work with leading faculty experts and top corporate executives on high-level consultancy projects."

What can analysts anticipate by 2025?

"Analysts will need not only the qualitative and computer skills to deal with vast amounts of data, but also a deep understanding of markets, systems, operations and environments."

How can analysts fortify a sustainable career?

"Aspiring management analysts would do well to seek out a program, like CSUN's, that provides them with repeated opportunities to apply multifaceted types of knowledge and skill in consultancy projects which address the current and future needs of real organizations."

What is your message to striving analysts?

"I encourage them to learn all they can about what drives markets and business success, develop fully their capacity for big-picture, cross-disciplinary problem solving and commit to a career-long effort of finding, and then answering the right questions."

Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.

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