Learn how to be a Manager
- Six out of ten executives said they are willing to hire more junior talent to train into roles that are proving challenging to fill
- 70% of hiring managers are relying on freelance talent to close talent gaps in this difficult hiring market
- 1/3 of companies have increased their reliance of freelancers
- Management Training will be in imperative
- The "business" of the business is now more important than "style."
- Visual and verbal communication required.
Program Path
Strategic Management for New Managers
Certificate of Achievement
The retail industry demands highly skilled employees to tackle the growing need for entry level managers. If you are considering a degree in management, work in environments that require leadership skills, or have a passion for fashion this certificate will open doors and add credibility to your job applications.
Requirements
BUS 12, Success Skills for First-time Managers, 3 Units
New class coming Spring 2026
This course is a survey of entry-level, first-time management concepts, theories, and principles with a focus on a manager's job responsibilities and the role that managers play in planning, organizing, leading, and motivating teams, and controlling organizations. Career and educational pathways include strategic management practices across the retail, hospitality, and tourism industries.
Along with 2 of the following courses:
BUS 32, Business Communications
3 units
This course surveys the principles and techniques of current and evolving business
communication as a process in a variety of business situations. The course emphasizes
planning, organizing, composing, and revising business documents using appropriate
utilization of a variety of technological platforms, business related internet writing
contexts, and web resources. Also, this course will incorporate a variety of internet-based
communication tools relevant to doing business in today’s world. This course is designed
for students who already have college-level writing skills.
BUS 35, Customer Relationship Management
3 units
The course provides an overview of the dynamic area of Customer Relationship Management
(CRM), a strategic methodology that recognizes customers as the core of the business.
Partner Relationship Management (PRM), Customer Experience Management (CEM) and the
impact of social networking will also be explored.
BUS 76, Human Resources Management
3 units
Human resource management encompasses those activities designed to provide for and
coordinate the human resources of an organization. This course is fashioned to emphasize
both the theoretical and practical aspects of human resource management. Topics of
special interest include equal employment opportunity; staffing the organization;
training and developing employees; employee compensation; understanding unions; and
organizational maintenance, communication, and information systems.
BUS 11, Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
3 units
This course provides students with an introduction to the hospitality industry, explaining
the interrelationships and history of key leisure industry segments. An emphasis is
placed on the application of technology, sustainability, ethics, leadership, teams,
critical thinking, and service standards for the restaurant, hotel, and travel-related
businesses. The course examines career opportunities, operations management, human
resource management, marketing, and financial considerations for each segment.
FASHN 5, Fashion Buying
3 units
This is an introductory course in fashion buying to acquaint the students with the
life of a buyer that includes considerations and practices of an executive or middle
manager. The buyer’s position includes responsibilities such as making evaluations
and maintaining standards that are complete and constant. This course will also present
an awareness of quality effect of stocking merchandise and knowing and effectively
practicing what to buy, when to buy, and how much to buy.
BUS90C or FASHN90C, Internship
3 units
The internship program is designed to provide the advanced student with on-site, practical
experience. Learning objectives and exit internship evaluation are required.
Strategic Manager Careers
In today’s rapidly changing world, strategic management has become an essential tool
for the effectiveness, competitive advantage, flexibility, and long-term success of
a business. Strategic managers work in fields ranging from health care to manufacturing
to high finance in roles such as
- Business Analyst,
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Analyst,
- Management Consultant, and
- Business Development Manager.
Resources and Transfer
Student Resources
We know college isn't always easy. We are here to help as you navigate through your SMC journey. This resource connects to information about Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, the Center for Wellness and Wellbeing and much more!
Fashion Department
The Fashion Design and Merchandising Department offers an exciting, competitive and highly respected fashion program. Develop the skills you need to create a high-quality professional portfolio: enter into a 4-year degree program or launch your fashion career right away.
Transfer Preparation
Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university need to know which courses completed at Santa Monica College will be accepted at the specific college/university.