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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
Kenneth James Townsend
Business AdministrationAccounting, 1967
Now retired after 30+ years of Federal service with the US Govermental Accountability Office, US Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy and US Army Vietnam veteran. Have enjoyed world wide travels with my wife of 47 years Emilie (Britvec) Townsend (66). Will always treasure our years at HSU where we met and married.
Wayne F Hess
Business AdministrationAccounting Concentration, 1964
Wayne F. Hess, 1964 Business Administration, spent a number of years as a forensic accountant after retiring as founder of a Portland-area certified public accountancy firm. Currently Hess is the president of the La Pedrera School Project, a registered public charity for the benefit of indigenous students in the western highlands of Guatemala. To date, over 30 students have graduated from high school and one from university, while just 20 years ago it was rare for a student to advance beyond fourth grade. Hess also works with Casa Xelaju, a Spanish Language school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, to arrange home-stays with indigenous families while attending classes.