by Doug Schmitt
BusinessSchools.com Staff Writer
September 27, 2006
Located on the Missouri River near the eastern edge of Nebraska, Omaha has traditionally had an economy based on agriculture. Today while agriculture still remains a hinge pin industry in the region, Omaha's economy has expanded and diversified to multiple industries including business and banking. Fueling the business expansion and rapidly growing population of 800,000 is the city's urban redevelopment initiative. Additionally, Omaha offers an array of recreations including retail, dining, performing arts, and -- for outdoor lovers -- several parks which cater to activities such as boating, camping, and hiking.
Employment and Internships
Business students will find plenty of internship and employment opportunities with Omaha's employers. Since the 1990s its economy has grown rapidly and the city is host to five Fortune 500 companies. Some major employers in Omaha include Alegent Health, Berkshire Hathaway, First National Bank of Omaha, Mutual of Omaha, TD Ameritrade, and Union Pacific Corp.
The job outlook for business and finance in Omaha appears excellent through 2014 according to Nebraska Workforce Development. Business and financial occupations overall should experience 15.03% new jobs. Business operations specialists should experience 16.78% additional jobs; general and operations managers anticipate 15.72% new opportunities; human resources managers' should see 11.0% more jobs; and financial managers should have 11.09% additional opportunities.
Education
Business Students in Omaha have a variety of educational opportunities to choose from. One option is the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Business Administration. UNO offers students B.A. and M.B.A. degree programs in a variety of specialties including Accounting, Business Administration, Business Law, Business Management, Corporate and Business Communications, Economics, and Management Science.
Another option is the Creighton University College of Business Administration, which offers bachelors and masters degree programs. Some areas of study include Accounting, Banking, Business Management, General Management, International Business, Marketing, and Merchandising/Retail. Additionally, Bellevue University offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs via traditional and distance education. Some specialties include Advertising Management, Business Administration of Technical Studies, Business Information Systems, Corrections Administration and Management, Human and Social Services Administration, Logistics Management, and Sports Management.
Financial Aid
Business students will find financial aid opportunities to be plentiful in Omaha. Scholarships, a more traditional form of aid, are available from several places including private and institutional sources. UNO offers several in-house scholarships, such as their Distinguished Scholarship. A scholarship competition is held for high school seniors and seven winners are chosen, two of whom are awarded from $23,000 to $29,000 over a four-year period. Additionally, the Rotary Club of Omaha offers scholarships to students in the Omaha metro area.
Students may also pursue grants and loans. These come from private, institutional, or government sources. A few examples are the Pell Grant, the Federal Stafford and Plus Loans, and the Perkins Loan. These are applied for by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online or by getting an application from the school financial aid office.
Summary
Omaha is a picturesque city that offers a myriad of indoor and outdoor recreations in addition to numerous educational opportunities for students. When these factors are combined with the city's prospering economy and countless employment opportunities, it is easy to see why Omaha is a great place to attend school.
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