by C.J. Gustafson
BusinessSchools.com Contributing Writer
October 23, 2004
The city of Phoenix was incorporated in 1881, over 30 years before Arizona became
a state. The Hohokam Indians had lived in the area from the 300s BC until the
1400s AD, developing a sophisticated community irrigated by a network of canals.
No one knows for certain what happened to this inventive civilization but the
city is named for the mythical bird Phoenix because it is said to have risen from the ashes of the ancient Hohokam settlement. Today, Phoenix is one of the three fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and the nation's fifth largest with a population of nearly 1.4 million. The Greater Phoenix area, which also encompasses Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe,
Mesa and several other smaller suburbs, has a population of 3.3 million. Residents
and visitors enjoy more than 300 sunshine-filled days annually with a total
rainfall of just 7.66 inches.
World-leading companies such as Intel, Avnet, Motorola, AlliedSignal, Honeywell,
and Boeing Company make their corporate and regional headquarters in this desert
city. Many other well-known businesses, such as STMicroelectronics, American
Express, Phelps Dodge, Sumitomo Sitix, Prudential, Charles Schwab and the Mayo Clinic
have major operations in Phoenix as well. Inc. Magazine recently ranked
Phoenix as the #1 best city to start and grow a company.
Business and Economic Stats
The top five sectors of the economy include services (32%), trade (23.9%), government
(12%), manufacturing (10%), and finance, insurance, & real estate (7%). According
to a recent survey conducted by business, economic, and educational groups in
the Phoenix area, the business services field is expected to have the highest
growth rate in terms of hiring with 13%, almost a full 10% more than any other
industry. Larger employers in this group include Securitas, Inc. (a security
company) and ABM Janitorial Services, each with over 1000 employees.
According to this same survey, the fastest-growing career in the city is as a Public
Relations Specialist, with a 61% growth rate. Demand for trained employees in
this field is expected to exceed supply by over 10%. The complete survey, which
includes a host of other business and economic information about the city, can
be viewed here.
The following is a list of Phoenix's five largest employers across all sectors:
- The State of Arizona - 50,363
- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. - 18,677
- Banner Health System - 13,756
- Maricopa County - 13,482
- City of Phoenix - 13,095
Honeywell, Raytheon Co., Arizona State University, and the U.S. Postal Service are other top employers in the city, each with over 10,000 employees. This wide range of employers provides numerous management and business administration career opportunities for graduates.
Bob Howard, Management Development Director for a large telecommunications
company, was transferred to Phoenix five years ago in his role of recruiting
management teams for the organization's new locations. "I knew it was only going
to be for 18 months," Howard said of his relocation. "That was the normal routine
with my job, and usually I was ready to move on when the time came. But after
just a short time in Phoenix, both my wife and I were trying to think up ways
we could stay for good." Howard said they both liked the warm weather, the healthy,
active lifestyle, and the array of cultural opportunities. "Phoenix had everything
we wanted," said Howard, a golfer and a baseball fan. "We love the desert, the
plants, the amazing sunsets. And it's great to have Christmas dinner out on
the patio by the pool. We call our family in Minnesota and gloat."
So when Howard's company laid him off, he took it fairly well. "I was worried at first, and a bit put out that they would move me to a new city and then just abandon me. But I had been thinking about jumping ship anyway and when I started checking around, I found there was a huge demand for my skills," he continued. "Phoenix is constantly growing and in need of management people. And I can work on a consultant basis rather than hire on as a company employee. This works well with my need for variety and it gives me a lot more freedom. I can make a tee time, pretty much whenever I want," he joked.
Howard said he needed a little help setting up his consulting business at
first, and he was able to find several resources in the city. Organizations
and groups that offer services and support to members of the Phoenix business
community include the Greater Phoenix
Chamber of Commerce, the Greater
Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater
Phoenix Economic Council.
Educational Opportunities
In addition to a good variety of development and business related organizations,
the Phoenix area is home to over a dozen colleges and universities. Some of
those that offer courses and degrees in business fields include Argosy
University, Arizona State University,
West School of Management and their Executive Education, College of Business
and Grand Canyon University, School
of Business. Thunderbird, The Garvin School
of International Management focuses mainly on MBA programs in international
business management. The University
of Phoenix, known for its wealth of online education programs, also has
a brick-and-mortar campus in Phoenix.
Students at these educational institutions can earn Marketing and Public Relations degrees, Accounting degrees, Economics degrees, and Management degrees in a variety of business
fields. E-commerce careers and administration careers are additional options.
Several of the schools also offer MBAs.
If you like warm temperatures year round, a metropolitan community with a large and
diversified economic base, and several excellent schools to chose from, Phoenix
would be an ideal choice for you as you pursue your career in a business field.
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