Experienced managers whose accomplishments reflect strong leadership qualities and the ability to improve the efficiency or competitive position of an organization will have the best opportunities. In an increasingly global economy, experience in international economics, marketing, information systems, and knowledge of several languages also may be beneficial.
Employment of top executives—including chief executives and general and
operations managers—is expected to grow about as fast as average for all
occupations through 2014. Because top managers are essential to the success
of any organization, their jobs are unlikely to be automated or to be
eliminated through corporate restructuring—trends that are expected to
adversely affect employment of lower-level managers. Projected employment
growth of top executives over the 2004-14 period varies by industry. For
example, employment growth is expected to be much faster than average in
professional, scientific, and technical services and in administrative and
support services. However, employment is projected to decline in some
manufacturing industries.
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
