Chief executive officers work alongside other top executives to establish a corporation's policies and vision. CEOs are considered the head of a corporation and are responsible for providing direction for the company and making certain that goals are met.

CEOs can work at a variety of businesses from small startups to corporations with thousands of employees, this can lead to a lot of stress particularly since many CEOs must put in overtime on a regular basis, travel may also be needed for the job.

In addition, CEOs must be effective in communication, possess leadership and management skills and have the ability to work under pressure and handle the aforementioned stress of the job. One of the perks though is the salary, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS the average annual wage of chief executives was $185,000.

Step 1 - Earn a Bachelor's Degree

According to the BLS the minimum education for most chief executive officer positions is a bachelor's degree majors for aspiring CEOs, might include various liberal arts fields business administration or public administration. If a prospective CEO plans to enter a specific industry such as Healthcare Administration prior coursework or a bachelor's degree in that field can be useful.

Step 2 - Complete a Master's Degree Program

Many aspiring chief executive officers choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration MBA or a similar graduate degree. These programs can be pursued before finding work within an industry or after having been employed for some time. Those who are currently working in a corporate or managerial position can enroll in a part-time professional or Executive MBA program that integrates practical work knowledge into the curriculum.

MBA students might take classes in strategic management, finance, organizational theories, and managerial economics. Here are some success tips that could help you with this part of the process:

• Complete an internship: Graduate programs often include internship opportunities that can allow future CEOs to acquire work experience while still enrolled in school. Students might also pursue study abroad options that allow them to study international business and develop practical skills.
• Choose a concentration: Most MBA programs require their students to select a concentration to focus their studies on these individuals can take advantage of this opportunity by selecting an emphasis that relates to the industry. They wish to advance in many programs allow students to specialize in fields like marketing, finance, information technology, environmental sustainability, public policy and health administration.

Step 3 - Gain Experience

It is rare to enter straight into a career as a chief executive officer instead most aspiring, CEOs start at a lower level management position within a company and work their way up until a CEO opening is available. Also, keep an eye on openings within other organizations, so there is potential to change companies while still advancing. Here's a success tip for this step the process that you should consider:

• Get involved: Companies may offer corporate training or development programs which can help potential chief executive officers learn the tricks of the trade, and teach them how to be a high-level manager. It's also important to show dedication in the field the BLS reported that those who wish to rise into executive positions must often work long hours that include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Step 4 - Consider Voluntary Certification

Voluntary certification is another way for CEOs to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency and advance their careers. The institute of certified professional managers offers the designation of certified manager which requires a minimum amount of education experience, and training as well as a passing exam score eligibility to sit for the exam is determined by a system of points based on the years of education and experience that a candidate has accumulated.

So to sum up in order to become a chief executive officer you need to first earn a bachelor's degree usually in a business-related field, then earn a master's degree an MBA gain professional experience and consider voluntary certification.

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