How do my career interests link with this field?
Read the following statements and choose the statements that apply to you. The more statements you choose that apply to you, the higher your interest in this area.
Economic and management sciences
(main motivation: business leadership)
- leading a group of people
- managing finances
- marketing
- numbers and figures
- overseeing administrative procedures and systems
- planning and organising the activities of others
- running my own business
- running someone else’s business
- selling products or services
Career fields, possible job titles and work environments
The following is a list of career areas linked to economic and management sciences, together with a description, possible job titles and work environments. Click on the career field to read more about the field, possible job titles and work environments.
Remember that this information is a start for you to explore options related to specific career fields - you will need to expand your research as you continue with your studies. Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career decision.
Banking, risk and financial management
In Finance, Risk Management and Banking we prepare graduates for the financial sector and financial services industry.
Related job titles
- Bank manager
- Broker
- Company secretary
- Director
- Financial manager
- Insurance consultant
- Investment analyst
- Credit risk analyst
- Treasury manager
- Portfolio manager
- Risk manager
Possible work environments related to banking and financial management
- Accounting firms
- Commerce and industry
- Commercial and general banks
- Credit bureaux
- Financial and insurance institutions
- Investment banks
- Merchant banks
Find out more about careers in this field
Business informatics
In Business Informatics we aim to produce graduates who are able to provide for the current needs in the business workplace in areas such as systems analysis, database development and software systems design, enhancement, management and evaluation.
Related job titles
- System analyst
- Database developer
- Software system designer
- enterprise architect
- ICT project manager
- Software production manager
- Business consultant
- ICT consultant
- Software entrepreneur
- Information analyst
Possible work environments related to business informatics
- Commerce and industry
- IT consulting firms
- Self-employed as a consultant or business owner
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the IT @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Career Guide (Media, Information and Communication Technologies SETA)
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Decision sciences
Decision sciences applies mathematical, statistical and computer science-related tools to the analysis and solving of business problems and optimisation problems in industry.
Related job titles
- Statistical analyst
- Data modeller
- Research analyst
- Business analyst
- Management analyst
- Management consultant
- Operations researcher
- Quantitative analyst
- Financial modeller
- Decision scientist
Possible work environments related to decision sciences
- Financial institutions
- Government departments (national, provincial, and local)
- International organisations (eg World Bank)
- Management consulting companies
- Market research firms
- Industry (eg mining, finance, retail, media and health)
- Statistical services organisations (including StatsSA)
Find out more about careers in this field
Economics
In Economics we study the production and allocation of resources and include a number of focus areas, such as micro and macro-economics, labour economics, monetary economics, international trade, econometrics, public finance, development economics and natural resource economics. In addition to qualification options in the College of Economic and Management Sciences, Economics can also be taken as a major subject for the Bachelor of Arts (99311) and Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (90079) degrees.
Related job titles
- Risk analyst
- Portfolio administrator
- Researcher
- Economist
- Research analyst
- Stockbroker
- Business consultant
Possible work environments related to economics
- Economic consultants in both the public and private sectors
- Government departments (eg Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Mineral Resources, municipalities)
- International organisations, such as UNESCO and the World Bank
- Manufacturing and consulting firms
- Research organisations
- Self-employment
- South African Reserve Bank and other banking and financial institutions
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Economics @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship focus on preparing students first to become entrepreneurs. However not everyone can be an entrepreneur. However, a qualification in entrepreneurship can be a manager of a business, a corporate entrepreneur (someone running a business unit like it is his/her own business, CEO in business. Well known family businesses such as BMW, LG, SAMSUNG, TOYOTA, are all founded by entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship can allow a student to become an importer or export of the products that are creatively and innovatively manufactured by him/her. The qualification can also equip a student that want to pursue franchising and venture corporation.
Related job titles
Visit the National Career Advice Portal for more information about these occupations.
- Business consultant
- Business developer
- Entrepreneur/ business owner
- Small business development practitioner
- Small business manager
- Lecturer (university)
Possible work environments related to entrepreneurship
- Financial institutions (eg banks)
- Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) development agencies or organisations
- Government departments (provincial, national and local, such as the Department of Small Business Development and the Department of Trade and Industry)
- Higher Education Institutions (universities, universities of technology)
- Management consulting companies
- Self-employment as an owner or consultant
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Entrepreneurship @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Human resource management
Human Resource Management is primarily concerned with management of people within organisations, focusing on policies, procedures and on systems. After completion of HR qualifications, the candidates can register with South African Board of People Practice (SABPP) as either Master HR Professional, Chartered HR Professional, HR Professional, HR Associate or HR Technician, based on the level of qualification.
Related job titles
- HR Manager
- Deputy Director
- HR Director General
- Director
- Entrepreneur
- Human Resource Practitioner
- Labour Relations Practitioner
- Management Consultant
- HR Consultant
- Municipal Manager
- Recruitment Practitioner
- Supervisor
- HRD or Training practitioner
- Employee Relations Manager
- Compensation Manager
- HR Information Manager
Possible work environments related to human resource management
- Commerce and industry
- Government (local, provincial and national)
- HR consultancies
- Self-employment
- Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Human Resources @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Industrial and organisational psychology
Industrial and organisational psychology (IOP) focuses on the psychology of people behaviour in work settings on individual, team and organisational levels. The IOP field covers diverse themes such as psychological testing and assessment, research methodology, career and personnel psychology, organisational, leadership, and personnel psychology and development, change management, employee wellness, personnel selection, workforce diversity, employee relations and team dynamics. To register as a psychometrist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), you need to complete a HPCSA accredited BPsych degree OR a HPCSA accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychometry. You also need to meet other requirements such as completing a practicum and successfully passing a professional board examination. To register as an industrial psychologist with the HPCSA, you need to complete a HPCSA accredited Master’s coursework degree, and meet other requirements such as completing an internship and passing a professional board examination. After completion of the IOP qualification, the candidates can register with the South African Board of People Practice (SABPP) as either Master HR Professional, Chartered HR Professional, HR Professional, HR Associate or HR Technician, based on the level of qualification.
Related job titles
Industrial psychologist; psychometrist; human resource manager or director; chief executive officer, brand manager; broker; company secretary; director general; director; employee wellness practitioner; entrepreneur; executive coach;; health and safety practitioner; human resources practitioner; labour relations practitioner; change management consultant; manager; market researcher; marketing
manager; municipal manager; office manager; organisational development practitioner; career development practitioner; project manager; recruitment practitioner; small business development practitioner; supervisor; skills development facilitator and training practitioner, community development practitioner, product manager, business development manager
Possible work environments related to industrial and organisational psychology
- Commerce and industry
- Government (local, provincial and national)
- Mining companies
- Research organisations
- Self-employed
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Psychology @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Management and management support services
Business Management focus on the critical managerial competencies and skills, relevant to a changing environment, to ensure a sustainable and responsible organisation that makes an ethically sound and positive contribution to the broader society.
Related job titles
- Manager
- Deputy Director
- Director
- Entrepreneur
- Management Consultant
- Municipal Manager
- Supervisor
Possible work environments related to management and management support services
- Manufacturing and consulting companies
- Private and public enterprises
- Research organisations
- Self-employment
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Marketing management
In Marketing and Retail Management we focus on the activities and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging value offerings with consumers, customers, partners, and society at large, and managing the relationship with those stakeholders in a societally responsible manner.
Related job titles
Store manager, retail buyer, advertising account executive, e-commerce manager, advertising account planner, market researcher, marketing executive, public relations officer, promotions manager, product manager, brand manager, international marketer, social media and digital marketer, sales executive, industrial marketer, sales manager, trade marketing manager, customer experience manager, customer relationship manager, customer service manager, market development manager, web content manager, marketing consultant, entrepreneur.
Possible work environments related to marketing management
- Advertising agencies
- Consulting organisations
- Entrepreneurs or self-employed consultants
- FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) industry
- Government departments (local, provincial and national)
- Manufacturers
- Specialist communication agencies
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Public administration
Public administration and management is the study of activities, such as the provision of health, protection, education and housing in the public sector. Careers in the public sector focus on the development, implementation and evaluation of public policies, programmes and services at a local, provincial or national level. Opportunities also exist at non-governmental, national and international aid organisations.
Related job titles
Visit the National Career Advice Portal for more information about these occupations.
- Accountant
- Activist/lobbyist
- Administrative officer
- Budget and reporting manager
- Communication coordinator
- Communications practitioner
- Compliance officer
- Development economist
- Financial manager
- General manager (public services)
- Government relations manager
- Human resource practitioner
- Human settlements practitioner and manager
- Immigration officer
- Lecturer (university)
- Local authority manager
- Local government officer
- Monitoring and evaluation practitioner
- Non-profit administrator
- Policy advisor
- Policy analyst
- Policy and planning manager
- Procurement manager
- Project development specialist
- Project or programme manager
- Provincial officer
- Public administration officer
- Public affairs researcher
- Public outreach officer
- Public policy analyst
- Public sector consultant
- Researcher/ research manager
- Senior government manager
- Senior government official
- Social security assessor
- Supply chain practitioner
- Supply chain manager
Possible work environments related to public administration
- Quasi-autonomous government institutions, such as research institutions, universities, development agencies and state parastatals (eg Transnet, CSIR and Eskom)
- International affairs (United Nations, Africa Union, Southern African Development Community)
- Municipal (local government) affairs (eg municipal manager, water and electricity supply, roads, town planning, parks and recreation)
- National Affairs (eg education, health, commerce, law enforcement, defence, finance, transport, environmental affairs)
- Provincial affairs (eg tourism, nature conservation, education, health)
Find out more about careers in this field
Retail management
The retail industry sells goods and services to clients, while retail management aims to support this function by understanding how to effectively market these goods and services and how to plan efficient processes.
Related title titles
Visit the National Career Advice Portal for more information about these occupations.
- Area manager
- Customer service manager
- Merchandise analyst
- Merchandise manager
- Planner
- Retail buyer
- Retail manager
- Sales executive
- Sales manager
- Sales representative ( personal and household goods)
- Store manager
Possible work environments related to retail management
- Fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) industry
- Retailers
- Self-employed
Find out more about careers in this field
Safety Management
Safety management refers to how organisations identify hazards and control risk in the organisation. Practitioners in this field are responsible for setting up safety management systems to manage safety risks.
Possible job titles related to safety management
Visit the National Career Advice Portal for more information about these occupations.
- Health and safety consultant
- Health and safety manager
- Health, safety and environmental quality (SHEQ) practitioner
- Occupational safety inspector
- Safety advisor
Possible work environments related to safety management
- Airlines
- Construction industry
- Government departments (eg Department of Labour, SABS)
- Health and safety consultancies
- Manufacturing industry
- Mining industry
- Motor industries
- Self-employment as a consultant
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Tourism management
Tourism is one of the world’s most dynamic and lucrative industries. The programmes are designed to address the ever-changing needs of tourism societies, and aims to equip students with managerial skills to implement strategic management aspects together with sustainable and responsible tourism practices. The array of knowledge related to entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation within the context of tourism aims to enable student to start their own businesses and to create jobs.
Related job titles
Visit the National Career Advice Portal for more information about these occupations.
Competencies in a variety of tourism related fields such as accommodation, hospitality, attractions, events, travel, transport and tour operators and destination managers. These can include specific job titles such as destination marketing manager, event designer, tourism information officer, tourism practitioner, front office receptionist, tourism manager, tour operator, travel agent, customer care agent, relationship manager, concierge. Students are further equipped with scare tourism skills for priority occupations such as travel consultation, amongst others.
Possible work environments related to tourism management
- Events management organisations
- Local, provincial and national tourism departments, NGOs and associations
- Opportunities exist in different tourism sectors such as airlines, car rental, rail, cruise liners, hotels, restaurants and events companies
- Tourism information centres
Find out more about careers in this field
Transport economics, logistics and supply chain management
Transport economics and logistics focus on the allocation and planning of resources to transport goods and people from one point to another. These principles are also applied within the tourism industry with a wider application in tourism distribution as well as information and communication technologies.
Related job titles
- Warehousing and distribution manager
- Transport manager
- Logistics manager
- Purchasing manager
- Procurement manager
- Supply chain manager
- Travel and tourism practitioner
- Event organizer
- Operations manager
- Passenger and/or freight transport entrepreneur
Possible work environments related to transport economics, logistics and supply chain management
- Consulting firms
- Department of Transport
- Factories and manufactures
- Government (local, provincial and national)
- Large retailers and retail firms
- Logistics and distribution companies
- Self-employment
Find out more about careers in this field
Operations Management
The operations management field covers diverse areas such as administrative, operational and supply chain management; project management, quality management and safety studies, as well as administration and management.
Related job titles
- administrative manager
- entrepreneur
- municipal manager
- office manager
- project manager
- small business development practitioner
- supervisor
- operations manager
- supply chain manager
- tourism manager
Further career information