Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/62198
instance, that they can get their expected "MBA salary" more quickly in a more traditional field. But because all these students have a good grounding in core business techniques, they can still find jobs. "Some students may go through the program and say, 'This is not for me.' But the good news is, they've still got a business degree," says Williams. had their successes, the administra- tors note that not every graduate will thrive in the real sports world. Some find, for The Final Score The question remains: Does such a specialized niche degree really result in a more marketable student? Williams thinks the degree is still new enough that employers are just begin- ning to realize how valuable it is. "I think now there's a greater recognition that students with some background in sports management may have a higher level of knowledge that's going to be useful," she says. The real strengths of the program are the internship and the basic management skills, Williams points out. "Especially in many entry-level posi- tions, they're looking for outgoing, creative, flexible people with initiative," she says. Mokwa believes passionately that niche programs are good While the programs have all from your Supply Chain Investments" Realizing the Value Measuring Results: and Managing supply chains is not a new challenge. For as long as trade has existed – from the time when merchants traveled the Silk Road to today - managing the flow of goods to meet customer demand has been a challenge. Yet in today's competitive marketplace, with its inherent uncertainty and complexity, effective management within and across firms in a supply chain is key to success. for the students and good for the school. The sports business niche is just a recent addition to ASU's other focused pro- grams—in areas such as services marketing and management, supply chain management, and information technology man- agement. "A strong niche can give a school an edge when companies recruit for students, especially if those companies are only going to recruit at a few schools," Mokwa says. Mokwa notes that many factors might prompt corpora- The Neeley School SUPPLY AND VALUE CHAINprogram is focused on both current and future business leaders – helping them develop the skills and capabilities to keep pace with the changing times and position their supply chains for competitive advantage. Through our executive forums, we create opportunities for the business community and TCU students and faculty to advance leading edge thought and idea exchange. tions to send recruiters to a particular university. "Do their senior executives have degrees from that university? Is the school in their geographical area? Or does the school pro- vide a program that is unique and that distinctively adds value to what they do in their corporations?" he asks. "At ASU, we wanted to find niches that gave us a dominant share of the recruiter's mind and produce student skills in key areas. Our students graduate with greater expertise than other students in those areas, and that makes them special, compared to a peer school that is turning out MBAs in tra- ditional functional areas." In any case, sports management seems like a niche that's destined to be a winner. It covers all the bases of finance, strategy, marketing, and operations, and also gives students a special edge. Schools that offer sports management may find it soon becomes their MVP—most valuable program. ■ z BizEd JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 49 On April 2 – 4, 2003, the Neeley School Supply and Value Chain Center will host the 2003 Global Supply Chain Conference at the Texas Motor Speedway Club. The theme of the conference is "Getting and Measuring Results: Realizing the Value from your Supply Chain Investments." Business leaders, stu- dents, and faculty will come together to learn from experts how to build a business case for change, execute effective supply chains, and measure results from supply chain improvement initiatives. For further information about the Supply and Value Chain program, please visit www.svcc.tcu.edu or call 817-257-7463. www.neeley.tcu.edu "Getting