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Careers & Alumni
The curriculum at the School of Business, Cal Poly Humboldt, emphasizes practical skills and a holistic understanding of business functions and prepares students for roles across industries. With a strong foundation in business principles and specialized concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Marketing, Management, and entrepreneurship, our graduates can pursue roles including accountant, financial analyst, marketing coordinator, and business manager.
Among these, roles such as accountants and auditors allow professionals to manage and examine financial records. Budget analysts help organizations plan their finances, a critical function for both public and private entities. For those interested in risk management, careers like claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators offer opportunities to evaluate insurance claims and ensure proper compensation.
The field of financial services also provides robust career paths. Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in making profitable investment decisions, while credit counselors and personal financial advisors help clients navigate debt management and financial planning. Additionally, financial examiners ensure institutions comply with monetary laws. Those drawn to strategic business decisions can pursue roles as management analysts, focusing on improving organizational efficiency, or as project management specialists, overseeing complex initiatives.
Graduates with an interest in human resources or employee relations can explore opportunities as human resources specialists, handling recruitment and benefits, or as training and development specialists, focusing on improving workforce skills. Careers in market research analysis and fundraising allow graduates to blend analytical skills with creative problem-solving to drive business growth and community engagement.
Related Job Titles
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment in business and financial occupations is projected to experience above-average employment growth from 2023 to 2033. Learn more about these occupations.
- Accountants and auditors
- Budget Analysts
- Cost Estimators
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Examiners
- Fundraisers
- Human Resources Specialists
- Loan Officers
- Management Analysts
- Market Research Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Project Management Specialists
- Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Marketable Skills In Your Major
Management/Leadership
Communication
Negotiation
Team building
Marketing
Creativity/problem solving
Creating/editing projects
Influencing others
Accounting/Finance
Attention to detail
Computer and software proficiency
Organizational skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Gathering information
Conducting research
Analyzing quantitative data
Alumni Updates
Allan Ekberg
Business AdministrationCIS, 1984
Allan Ekberg, 1984, Business, is the City of Tukwila’s mayor. Upon graduating from HSU, he became active in community, fighting a county rezone and annexing his neighborhood into Tukwila. From his education at HSU, Allan became an Internet technology project/program manager and consulted at a wide variety of organizations. While working in technology, he served on the Tukwila City Council where he used his HSU Speech Communication minor often. Allan originated the charter and commenced the Computer Information System Club at Humboldt State; he also served a term as the School of Business student council representative. He thanks HSU for empowering him to become who he is.
Kay Sinclair
Business Administration, 1983
Kay Sinclair, 1983, Master’s of Business Administration, recently left a 30-plus-year career as an IT manager with General Electric/Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin, in Utica, NY. She has been teaching IT related management courses at State University of New York Polytechnic Institute as an adjunct professor, while also continuing her nonprofit work in the community. Sinclair is currently the president of the board at the Women’s Employment and Resource Center. She is also involved in STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) activities in the area, including co-teaching summer workshops for middle school students such as 3D Daze for Girls and Nanotechnology. This April, Kay was delighted to receive the Unsung Heroine Award from the Young Women's Christian Association of the Mohawk Valley at its annual Salute to Outstanding Women luncheon. The Unsung Heroine award honors “an individual who works continuously and tirelessly behind the scenes, goes the extra mile with little thanks, or has made an outstanding contribution.”
Michael Mooradian
Business Administration, 1983
Michael Mooradian, Business Administration, 1983 retired in March, 2020 after more than 32 years with the Los Angeles County Assessor. Mooradian said "a lot of hard work and taxpayer contact wore me down and now, at last, the old gray mare ain't what she used to be". Mooradian is now volunteering his time with the Armenian Relief and Development Association (ARDA). This organization builds housing, sends food and clothing, and maintains a healthcare facility in Armenia for the benefit of impoverished Armenians. Many of these people have been living in cargo containers since the 1988 earthquake. Mooradian thanks the God of the Bible for his education at Humboldt State University and the benefits it provided him throughout his life.
Michael Mooradian
Business Administration, 1983
Michael Mooradian, Business Administration, 1983, worked for the Los Angeles County Assessor for over 32 years and retired in March 2020. As a supervising appraiser, Mooradian was responsible for training and leading his appraisal staff in equalizing assessments on business equipment. Mooradian diligently and tirelessly served the taxpayers of Los Angeles County. His education at HSU well prepared him for this long-term work opportunity. He and his wife, Pam, are now retired in the Los Angeles area and he is planning to do volunteer work for organizations he supports.
Annhenrie Campbell
Business Administration, 1978 B.A., 1988 M.B.A.
Annhenrie taught accounting at CSU Stanislaus for 33 years. After numerous academic publications, she is most proud of a recent article, "Unsupervised Birder," in Habitat, the newsletter of the Stanislaus Audubon Society where she is Treasurer. She enjoys joining field trips for birding and native plants throughout Central California and taking classes in the local lifelong learning program, similar to OLLI. She is Vice President of the Stanislaus Chapter of ERFSA, the Emeritus and Retired Faculty and Staff Association, and serves as Treasurer of the Stanislaus Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
John and Linda Rubert
Business Administration, 1978
John and Linda met at Humboldt State in 1972 square dancing with the Lumberjacks and Jill’s. After 34 years of running a business, they are retired now and enjoy their cabin on Hayden Lake in Northern Idaho.
Kate McPike
Business Administration, 1971
Kate McPike, 1971 Business, has lived all over California, Long Island, New Orleans, Chicago, and Houston. Now, she has finally retired to Ahwatukee (Phoenix), Arizona. She started a pet sitting business in 2016 called K8's Pet Care. She loves what she does and loves being her own boss. Prior to retirement she was a district operations manager for Weight Watchers International and ended her career in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. as a strategic planning and training manager for the CA Credit Union League, a trade association for credit unions in California. Happily divorced and happy to be retired with her own business!
Peter Cowper
Business Administration, 1971
Peter Cowper, 1971 Business, has served as a member of the board of directors of the Sequoia Riverlands Trust since 2013. The trust is a regional nonprofit land trust accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, which is dedicated to strengthening California's heartland and the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley.
Kathy McPike
Business Administration, 1971
I'm the Strategic Planning/Training Manager for the CA/NV Credit Union League (a trade association for credit unions in CA and NV). I moved back to CA nine years ago after 12 years in New Orleans. I plan to retire in New Orleans within the next two years.
earl e miller
Business Administration, 1970
Graduated 107- with a BA in Business Education. Earned teaching credential in 1971 at Humboldt. Retired in 2008 from the Chaffey School Dist.(Ontario,Ca) after 36 years as teacher, coach, counselor, and assistant principal. Married Anita in 1974, two children Andrea and Zack. In 2011 with Gary Tuttle(69), Vince Engle(70(, Pete Pedroza(71), and Bill Scobey(72) started the Jim and JoAnne Hunt Scholarship Funds for track and cross country athletes. Raised $5000 last year, hoping to raise $6000 this year. Like to help? contact me through the Alumni Association web site. Humblodt was a great place help us help some others enjoy the experience.